The Red Chair by Danna Wilberg

Author:Danna Wilberg [Wilberg, Danna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-07-16T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14

THE RED CHAIR

W hen Sal had taken the call from Sergeant Weston, she buzzed Grace’s office immediately. “Hold one minute please while I transfer the call.”

Once the call was put through, Sal chewed her bottom lip, a habit developed from sitting in emergency rooms, waiting for a doctor to appear with a diagnosis of the latest football injury. Sam, her oldest of five boys, was a senior in high school and worked towards earning a football scholarship to NYU. Oakland, her second son, a junior, expected the same honor if he continued to play as well as his older brother. Justice and Mack were identical twins. Neither of them had a desire to play football; their passion was swimming. Buns, her youngest, was her wild seed. He loved to dabble in everything that could be taken apart and put back together again. He was also the cutest. Twelve years old and already the girls were chasing him.

Grace was the daughter Sal never had. Whatever happens to her affects me, too. Sal ran her fingertip across her lower lip. Grace’s situation brought her great concern. The lip biting confirmed it. She only drew blood when she was afraid for her children.

The red light on the phone blinked off, and Grace came out of her office in a huff.

“Can you believe they have to take my chair? Damn! Damn, damn, damn! They’re going to ruin it, Sal. Damn!”

Her hissy fit was cut short by the burly officer who walked through the door pushing a hand-cart, his walkie-talkie busy with chatter.

The officer addressed both women.

“I’m Grace Simms,” she offered, along with her hand.

“Detective Daniel McCarthy, Twenty-Second Precinct. I’ve been sent here to pick up a red leather chair.”

“This way. Sergeant Weston just now informed me you were coming. I’m not happy.”

“He gave me strict instructions to deliver your chair unharmed, or it will cost me my head!” He chuckled and then reassured Grace. “I promise I will treat it like I treat my baby girl, Melody, gently, but firm.” His laugh came from his belly, melting Grace’s ire.

“Wow! She’s a beauty. Love the color. The wife bought me a La-Z-Boy last Christmas.” With gloved hands, Officer McCarthy placed a plastic tarp over the chair before he pushed it on its hind legs and hoisted it onto a cart lined with moving blankets. “Yeah, she said she’s sorry she settled for the brown one they had on display. She’s a red kinda girl too.” He wrapped the padded, quilted fabric around the chair and secured it with a bungee cord. “There we go. Cinchy.”

Officer McCarthy patted Grace’s arm. “Not to worry. She’s in good hands.”

“Thank you, Officer. And please thank Sergeant Weston for the special handling.”

“Oh, he’d probably like his thanks coming directly from you.”

He winked. “The sarge is single, you know.”

“I’m not sure that has anything to do with my chair, do you?”

“You’re right, sorry. I’m a born matchmaker. He’s a hell of a guy. I’d like to see him take more time out to live a little.

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