When I see that Vivian is engrossed in her kittens, I take the opportunity to steal away to my office. Dialing Linn, I settle back in my chair.
“Mr. Friarlane. It’s Sunday.” The archness in her tone reminds me of Mrs. Putnam.
“I’m aware. I have a job for you. Find out who owns the Gravebridge Boarding School. Get back to me with the school’s financials–everything I’d need to prepare an offer on the property. Give me a list of staff, too. Especially the instructors in the upper-level courses for older students. I want names.” I need to know who harmed my Vivian. If they’re lucky, they’ll simply be out of a job, nothing more. But my wrath is disinclined to grant even small mercies to anyone who dared hurt her.
“A boarding school?”
I smirk. “And here I was thinking I’d never be able to surprise you, Linn.”
She clears her throat. “I’m surprised, but I think I know where this is coming from. Might this have something to do with your ward? How is the girl, anyway?”
“Vivian is fine. Better than fine, in fact. She will remain with me.”
“For how long? You can’t just keep her as a pet, you realize?” I can hear the amusement in her voice.
“Never you mind. Just get me that information.”
“Will do.” She sighs. “But there is something else. I was going to try and wait until you came into the office tomorrow to discuss it.”
“I’ll be in a little later than usual.” I don’t want to miss the pancakes Vivian’s already promised me.
She lets out a small gasp. “It’s like I don’t even know you anymore.”
“Maybe you don’t.” I have to admit, Vivian has changed me. I can only hope it’s for the better. Before her, I’d be spending all my waking moments making deals and trying to grind my competition under my heel. Now, though, I can’t seem to get back to her fast enough. Even at this very moment, I’m wondering what she’s doing. “But go on, all the same.”
“The Santivascis have been pressuring some of our regular clients to throw in with them. I’ve gotten word through the grapevine that they’ve tried to talk to the big players who rely on your investment expertise and asset placement. They think they can do it better and for less. On top of that, they’ve promised regime change.”
“With themselves as the new head of my business, I suppose?” I shake my head. “Fools. But tell me, has anyone taken them up on their offer?”
She snorts a laugh. “Not a single one. I think people are sitting back and waiting to see how this all shakes out.” Her tone turns somber, angry even. “Poor David and Laverne haven’t been dead two weeks and these Santivasci people are already prowling around like hyenas. They should be ashamed of themselves. On top of that, they’re taking advantage of Charles, who everyone knows is a drunk, and a dunce on top of it.”
“I’ll take care of them.” I’ve put Charles out of my mind, for the most part, but now he’s back. I have to handle him, and I have to do it soon before he digs himself in even deeper. Usually, I’d let a guy like him twist in the wind, but I can tell Vivian still has a soft spot for him. That’s how she is–kind to a fault. I can’t let him go down in flames, not if it means she might get hurt. “First, set a meeting with Charles sometime later this week at the office.” I may need to save him from himself, but that doesn’t mean I want him anywhere near my Vivian. “Free up some money so I can make him an offer.”
“You’re paying him off?”
“I might. Depends on what he’s really after.” I drum my fingers on the desk. “When I talked to him, he sounded hungry for responsibility. He wants to run the businesses, even though he doesn’t know his ass from a hole in the ground. But if I can flash some money in his face to get him to cool it, then that’s what I’ll do.”
“And what if that doesn’t work? If he’s hungry like you said, a little money won’t be enough for him to stop whatever foolishness he’s gotten himself into.”
“Then I’ll have to get creative.” I don’t have an answer to her question. Not yet. I need to feel Charles out more before I can solve the problem that he represents.
“All right. I’ll get to work on the boarding school research.”
“Good. Let me know when–”
“One more thing.” Her tone turns sharp.
“All right.”
“I need to know you’re treating Vivian well. I’d hate to think I’m over here sitting on my hands while you’re doing something … something …”
“Something?” I grin as Vivian walks in, and I pat my lap for her to have a seat.
She looks at the phone, her brows drawing together in question.
“Something scandalous,” Linn finally finishes.
“Linn!” Vivian yells, then claps her hand over her mouth.