Diamonds & Deception by Ellen Butler

Author:Ellen Butler [Butler, Ellen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Power to the Pen Press via Indie Author Project
Published: 2019-10-07T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Friday, a day a restaurant chain was established to celebrate, a day working slobs like me rejoiced in achieving by either dancing or, depending upon the week, crawling across that finish line at five o’clock. Today, I planned to meander across it in a stately manner; however, it was only morning, still hours away from the goal. I arrived at work on time with a cup of coffee in one hand and a stupid grin plastered across my face. I’d slept well, awoken refreshed and ready to tackle the day. Moreover, it was casual Friday, and since this was the first time in months when I didn’t have a meeting outside the office, I was able to participate. I’d chosen a pair of dark skinny jeans, ballet flats, and a flowy blouse.

“What are you grinning about, Karina?” My coworker Rodrigo asked as I passed him in the hallway.

“It’s Friday, of course,” I threw over my shoulder. “And that checkered vest looks very snazzy on you.”

He looked down at his bold black and white checkered vest and black jeans. “Too much?”

“Not at all.” I paused at the door to my office.

“We’re hitting happy hour at five over at Ramparts. Coming?”

“Count me in. But only for half an hour.”

“Hot date tonight with your adorable fed?”

I laughed. “Self-defense class with my sister.” My office phone shrilled, and I scooped it up. “Karina Cardinal, how can I help you?”

“Karina, it’s Jessica.”

“Hi, Jessica. I heard through the grapevine that your case may be dismissed soon.”

“We’re not counting on anything yet.” Her voice sounded harried.

I sat down in my chair. “What’s wrong? Something up?”

“Not exactly. The way this day is going, I just have a bad feeling.”

“I’m sure it’s going to be fine. Silverthorne is the best. They’ll get everything nailed down for you to take to the DA.” I couldn’t keep the cheerfulness out of my voice.

“That’s not why I’m calling.”

“Okay, what’s up?”

“Sadira’s asked to see you.”

“Me?” I said, surprised. “Are you sure?”

“Bernard passed the message along to me. It seems there is some urgency.”

“What’s this all about?”

“I have no idea, she wouldn’t tell Bernard. And he said she seemed very agitated when she called. What?” A person in Jessica’s office must have been speaking to her. “What do you mean, it’s too late? Hang on, Karina.” The lulling strains of Beethoven wavered across the phonelines.

Well, at least they have nice hold music.

The symphonic concert ended abruptly. “Do you think you can get over there today to see her?”

“Let me check my schedule.” I tapped my cell phone, bringing up the calendar app. “I have time at ten thirty. Is that early enough?”

“It’ll have to be,” Jessica snapped.

Taken aback by her attitude, I wondered if she’d somehow found out about my sister’s stroll through Sadira’s files. I sent out a tentative feeler. “Is something wrong, Jessica?”

“I’m sorry. We just got screwed by one of our clients. I’m working on an injunction. Half my associates are ass-deep in a case of corporate espionage, the other half has now been reassigned to the newest debacle.

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