call_me_chas (call_me_chas) wrote in morningstar_mnr, @ 2009-11-12 21:17:00 |
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Entry tags: | chas |
290 New York, evening
Another day had passed and Charlie was still stuck in New York and still trying to make sense of the mess that his business life had beecome.
His accountant was already immersed in the paperwork for the New York venue and Charlie had made arrangements for a similar process to be carried out in San Francisco and Hawaii. Both Coo and Mimi had heard him out, had complained, then had agreed that it was better to know ones financial situation down to the last penny than to have any nasty surprises.
Coo in particular had been understanding. "You trust us," she said. "We trust that you're not doing this on a whim, but because you really need to. When are you bringing that hunk Deac to see me again? And your little munchkin? Come soon, hun."
Charlie promised he would then, finally after many tries, managed to get hold of Rick in Seattle.
"Hi," he began then flinched at Rick's furious response. After listening for a few moments with his hand over his eyes, Charlie said, "Well I'm glad Marian kept you informed, and I'm sorry but I'm fraid this has to be done. ALL the galleries are being done, the City one as well so ..."
He listened again and frowned. "But Rick, there's no implication at all that there's anything wrong ... God, no, I don't suspect you of anything ... No, nobody said anything! What ... Rick, what ... Oh."
Charlie listened, his head in his hands again. "Why didn't you tell me," he said eventually. "Rick - I could have - well, we could have come to an arrangement - if you were that desperate ... Well, yes, I know you thought I wouldn't find out but - eventually I would have." All he could do was sigh and ask the inevitable question. "So how much do we owe?"
'We' not 'you' because it really was Charlie's fault. He had been far too trusting.
The answer took his breath away for a moment. "No, sorry. I am still here. That's - just rather a lot to take in. I - um - I'll get some advice I think and - no, not the police. I'll talk to Amesh and Brian and see what kind of strategy we can come up with. Just - don't - well, I'll speak to you tomorrow, okay?"
He listened, then sighed and said goodbye and put his phone down.
He really NEEDED to go home. Apart from anything else he was running out of brownies.