The Rembrandt Decision by Seeley James

Author:Seeley James
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Thriller
ISBN: 9781737322337
Publisher: Machined Media
Published: 2022-01-13T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 32

ISAIAH, THE ADVISOR

I pick my way through Portland neighborhoods to a street filled with grand Victorian houses that have been repurposed for offices. Signs in the manicured front lawns announce an array of lawyers, doctors, dentists, and CPAs cohabitating in the well-kept homes. I find our destination and pull in. Yellow brick with white stone trim, it stands out among its gray clapboard neighbors.

With the wind twirling her ponytail in her face, Pia rounds the front and smacks her foot on a cement parking block lurking by the front tire. After a quick, “Ow! Shit!” and a grimace, she joins me. Her limp is more pronounced.

Pointing at the number two tenant, I say, “We should drop in. I’m sure they’ll see you without an appointment.”

The boss follows my extended finger. Beneath our intended destination of Second Chance Adoption Agency, the sign reads, PORTLAND ANKLE AND FOOT SPECIALISTS. She gives me a withering look. “I’m fine.”

She hobbles up the steps behind me, relying on her cane. If I knew her better, I’d drag her ass across the hall to the doctor. But I’m still the new guy.

A plump and harried receptionist adjusts her glasses to inspect us before clacking the rest of what must be her doctoral thesis on an ancient computer. Finally, she gives us a you’re-wrecking-my-day glance before making her way through a narrow door to announce us. A pleasant fiftyish woman with short gray hair comes out with her hand extended. “Mary Arnold, it’s a pleasure to meet you … Ms. um …”

“Sabel,” the boss answers and shakes hands. “Call me Pia. And this is my advisor, Isaiah Reddick.”

Mary ushers us into a cramped office where two walls are pale blue and the other two are pale pink. She motions to two chairs facing her desk and starts talking while she’s still rounding her chair. “Just to make sure we’re on the same page here, we specialize in the adoption of older children. We don’t handle the adoption of babies.”

“I know. That’s why I came.” Pia pulls a large envelope of papers from her purse and drops them on the desk. Pointing out the window at our ride, she says, “This is your new Mercedes. You’ll be selling raffle tickets for it over the next six months. I still need it for the next day or two. I’ll text you when I’m done, and you can pick it up at the airport. To make the raffle worth my investment, you’ll need to sell at least 3,000 tickets at $50 each. Next week, you’ll get a call from the PAS Foundation. One of my case managers will coordinate your PR and marketing to support the fund raiser. When you meet that ticket minimum, my people will release matching funding.”

Mary has barely landed in her seat and is still trying to balance the chair when she nearly falls out of it. Gripping the desk, her head swivels from the window to Pia and back three times. “What?”

Pia takes a chair.

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