“What the hell?”
Nineteen text messages.
Nine missed calls.
Four voice mails.
That wasn’t Isaac’s style. She was sure of it. And that meant something had happened.
Hands shaking, she had to try twice to enter her passcode. All she could think was that something had happened to her mom while she’d been off playing pretty princess with New York’s most sought-after bachelor. Or maybe it was her dad. Or it could be Casey. The phone couldn’t connect to service fast enough for her.
She went to the texts first.
There were eight from Casey. Her boss, Jim Franks, had sent six. Three had come from her mom. Then there were two from Isaac. Saving his for last, she tapped her boss’s name, scrolled to the first text sent Friday morning and started reading her way up.
Friday, 11:05 a.m.
Rachel, I know you called in asking to take a personal day, but I need you to come in. One of our high-profile clients is bringing a time-sensitive suit against a competitor. I need you to draft and file a cease and desist order and have the defendant served before the end of the day. I want you to take the lead on this case. It could be the one that gets you the senior attorney’s position you’ve been after.
Friday, 11:59 a.m.
Rachel, I need you to get back to me ASAP.
Friday, 12:21 p.m.
Rachel, I’ve had Tom start drafting the cease and desist order until you get here. I need you to come in and take point. I can’t have you out today.
Friday, 2:05 p.m.
Rachel, Tom has drafted the order. I’m going to go over what he has. The process server is already here and waiting. Get in here as soon as possible.
Friday, 3:01 p.m.
This is going to require you and your team to come in and work this weekend to have the full complaint filed first thing Monday morning. Just come in as soon as you can.
Monday, 7:47 a.m.
My office as soon as you’re here.
With every message, the nausea roiling in her belly grew worse until,by his last text, she felt like her insides were being tossed about on brutal seas. Closing her eyes, she rested her head on the bus’s cold window and tried to slow her breathing.
How the hell had she not seen these? Why hadn’t they come through?
Hands shaking worse than ever, she went back to the phone and tapped on Casey’s messages.
Friday, 11:12 a.m.
Call me as soon as possible.
Friday, 11:24 a.m.
I’m not joking. Call me. Now. Don’t leave without talking to me.
Friday, 11:49 a.m.
For the love of God, do NOT get on that plane, Rachel. DO. NOT.
Friday, 1:00 p.m.