Triptych Two- Guest Post:Teri
“Nice of you to stop by.”
I watch as he pales in shock and fright.
“Fucking Christ, Teri, I thought you were dead - or worse!”
“Why would you think that?” I rest my chin on the chair back, curious as to his response.
“Jesus, Teri!” Phillip falls into the nearest chair. “First you fall off radar for months - fucking MONTHS - and then that nutcase boyfriend of yours calls me with that seriously fucked up message, that’s why!” At my lifted eyebrow he continues. “He calls me in the middle of the night to tell me that he’s ‘taken care’ of you! What the fuck am I supposed to think?”
I shrug. “Whatever you wish, I would think.” He groans at that and slumps back.
“Yeah, well his ‘visits’ left a bad feeling about his intentions toward you. I don’t suppose you’re going to clue me in to whatever it is that’s going on?”
“I could, but then I’d have to kill you.” He smiles a little at that. It’s a shorthand we’ve had between us for years. Observers might think it a joke. It is not. Phillip knows little. It’s for his own safety. He knows that much, at least.
“Will you tell me least where Cra- Hanrahan is?”
“Not here, obviously.”
“Don’t get cute with me, Teri. You surface after having gone missing for fucking forever and expect that it has gone unnoticed? I’m not the only one to ‘enjoy’ the pleasure of that goon’s company!” He notices my flicker of surprise. “No, he was busy bullying everyone, Teri. Me, Brian, Cat, Raine -“
“Raine?”
“Yes. Raine had come to me demanding your whereabouts. I told him what I told Bob previously, that I didn’t know where the hell you were. Cat just happened to be with me in my office when he came by. Raine went off about some guy you were with and that’s when Hanrahan oozed in. He wasn’t happy with what he’d overheard, Teri. Pretty fucking pissed, in fact.” He watches me for a response.
I nod. Some of this Robert had told me, the rest I’d deduced. It is unfortunate that he’d involved others but Robert, when upset, can be somewhat indiscreet. “What about Kinney?” I ask. Phillip looks uncomfortable. “Tell me.”
“Brian - I don’t know what he said, but he spooked Brian. Badly.” I say nothing. I have no doubt what Robert said to him.
”And my brother?”
“Your Bob was very interested in what he had to say.” Phillip recounts the conversation. Yet another topic for discussion with my twin. “This isn’t good, Teri. In fact, I’d say it’s dangerous.” My cell vibrates and I glance at the screen.
Of course it is dangerous. More than he imagines. “Phillip, we’ll talk tomorrow.”
“You’ll be in?”
“Yes, I will.”
“What should I tell people?” He rises to leave. He understands that it’s time to leave.
“Whatever you wish. Since when do you answer to your employees?” I watch as he slips into his light overcoat.
“Not them, Teri. The others. Everyone else. The people who matter?”
“I’ll deal with them. You’ve no need to worry.” Though some do.
He pauses, hand reaching for the door. “And Hanrahan? What about him?” The door unexpectedly opens.
“You rang?”
