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Chapter 15
“Hello, I’m Ms. Banks. I have an appointment with she Secretary of Treasury this afternoon.”
The secretary looked up at me. “Just one moment.” She set down her finger nail file and pushed the call button. “Sir, there is a Ms. Banks here to see you.”
“Send her in.”
The secretary got up and walked over to the two very large doors.
I walked past her and she shut the doors behind me. The man turned in his chair to face me. He seemed to be evaluating me.
I had on a blonde, bobbed wig. I had gold-framed glasses, a gray dress suit and matching heels.
He turned to where his back was to me, again, in a large, brown leather chair. As I look a short look around I notched that he decorated mostly with brown. How tacky, I thought. The only thing, really, that didn’t have a tint of brown was the American flag in the corner of the room.
I had to hold back a laugh when I saw the man in a photograph with the President. He looked so giddy it was harder than expected not to laugh.
“Ms. Baker I must say your request to see me is odd. Not many outsiders wish to see the Secretary of Treasury.”
“You have answers to my problems.”
“I see.” He turned to face me again.
How many times was he going to do that, I wondered if he’s trying to intimidate me, he’s failing. All he’s doing is annoying me.
“Ms. Baker, I have to say that request isn’t new. I’m not a tax consolidator. You can’t come to me in hopes for a refund.”
I couldn’t help, but smile. “It’s hard to believe people call for appointments for that.”
“Not really.” His voice was stern, but, fortunately, he saw the humor in it and smiled.
“I promise you I’m not here for tax help.” OK, let’s see how much I can get out of the truth…partial truth, but some of it. “I’m here on behalf of my employer. He’s curious about the Watcher’s Branch. A few of their checks haven’t had the governmental seal.”
“There shouldn’t be one on any of them. For the past year we’ve cut funding.”
“I see.” I smiled inwardly. This may be easier than I thought.
“Why is he curious?”
“Greedy men must have their money. I’m sure you understand with some of the people you work with.”
“All the people.” He grinned. “I understand though.”
“It’s been brought to my attention that over…well, well stop at 8 years back. Since then the checks have been on and off.”
“They change their tune off and on.” He spoke grimly.
“I see. May I sit?”
“Please, do. Would you like a brandy?” He stood and walked over to a small stand covered with crystal brandy glasses and a crystal jar of brandy.
“Please.” I sat and placed my brief case next to my seat. “Thank you.” I excepted the glass.
“Not too many women drink brandy.” He leaned on the edge of the desk swirling his drink around.
“Work for my boss for one day and any woman would.” I smiled.
He chuckled at that. “My wife hates my drinking, but people can be a pain.
“I don’t suppose working for the President can be all fun and game either.”
“I’ll drink to that.” He raised his glass and took a sip. After that he studied me. “Why would a pretty girl like you get involved with a sum bag group like the Watchers?”
“One does one what one must to survive.” I sipped my drink.
“I agree.” He smiled at me. “You know. I’ll help you. I don’t know what you need, but I like you. What ever you need I’ll get it for you.”
That was all I needed to hear. “I’ll be in touch.” I stood, placing my glass on the oak table. “I promise. Thank you.”
“No problem, Ms. Banks. None at all.” He extended my hand to shake.
Brian
“So how’s the love of your life?” Aj smirked, siting on one of the many plush armchairs.
“She’s fine.” I said without thinking.
Aj was too quick to not notice that. “What?”
“Uh…you ment…I mean…oh shut up.” I laughed. I was caught and I knew it.
Aj laughed.
“What’s so funny?” Nick and everyone else came into the small sound-check room and plopped down on chairs.
“Brian’s slipping up.” Aj went into a fit of laughter again.
“Leave me and my screw ups alone. It’s not my fault.”
“Sure.”
“I was reading over this,” I paused to waved my paper around for a moment, “And you come in here asking questions with out letting me think.”
“Hey I didn’t put a time limit on that ONE question. You’re the one who answered with out thinking.” Aj chuckled.
“Ha ha. Leave me alone.”
“What did he ask you?” Nick insisted.
“He asked how the love of my life was and I said fine.”
Nick smiled. “That’s what this whole thing’s about? Man you guys are bored, huh?”
I shook my head, trying not to smile, and went back to reading.
I lent Aj my phone earlier and when it started ringing he answered it. “Bone here. No, V hold up, Brian lent me his phone. Yeah. So how’s LA? I don’t blame ya work aint no fun.” Aj started to laugh. “I’ll remember that. Yeah.” Aj looked over at me and laughed. What are they talking about? “No, oh he’s already confessed his love for you. Oh yeah he’s bought the wedding ring no dough.”
I jumped for the phone, but Aj was up and across the room. “Oh I think I spoiled the surprise. He’s chasing me around the room. Oh yeah. Sure. Bye V.” Aj stopped abruptly and handed me the phone with a smirk.
“You’re gonna die.” I took the phone and walked back to my seat. “Hey V.”
“Hey Brian.”
“Sorry about Aj, he’s a moron.”
“I thought it was cute.”
“Cute? Aj? Those two words don’t go together.” I looked over at Aj who was hysterical.
“I love you too V.” Aj yelled.
Veronica laughed. “He’s something else.”
“Now that makes more sense.”
“What’d she say?” Aj asked.
“She said butt out of our conversation.”
“Yeah right, V thinks I’m cute.”
“Hold on, V, I’m going into another room.” I got up and walked into the adjoining room.
“They’re roughly today huh?”
“Aj is.”
“You guys sound like you’re having more fun than me.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Why is that?”
“Because you’re not having any fun.”
“Not everyone has a job like yours.”
“No I guess no. What’s up?”
“I was just wondering when you’ll be in LA. Our conversation got cut off last night.”
“Oh, well be there at the end of the week. Friday I think.”
“OK, that gives me time to clean my apartment.”
I laughed. “It’s no problem, my place gets messy to.”
“But you’re a guy.”
“That’s sexiest don’t you think?”
“Brian I know guys. How many guys do you know that are neat freaks?”
“Um…oh…ha I guess I don’t.”
“See, I knew it. Uh! Stupid driver!”
“Are you in your car?”
“Yep. People around here are ludicrous. They drive on the wrong side of the road, too fast and more times than not they’re drunk or on weed.”
I chuckled. “That’s why I don’t drive.”
“Hey look Brian I got to go. How about on Friday I show you around LA. I’m sure you’ve seen most of it because of Nick, but I know a few places he might not know about.”
“Sure sounds like fun. See you then.”
“Bye.”
“Bye.”
I walked back into the other room smiling.
“Aww…aint that so cute?” Howie teased.
“Ha ha. At least I got a date when we get to LA. What about you guys?”
They looked at each other then back at me.
“That’s
what I thought.” I smirked; pleased with the point I was trying to make.
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