Nearly Departed in Deadwood Read Free Page B

Wolfgang’s articulate use of the English language seemed out of place.

          “I thought you moved to San Francisco.” Ray knew everything about everyone in town. That’s probably what had made him the top salesman every month for the past five years, and possibly the only reason that Jane put up with his chauvinistic ass.

          “I did.”

          “Are you going to sell the jewelry store, too?” Ray asked. If I’d had a Kleenex, I’d have given it to Ray to wipe the drool from his chin.

          “No. My mother would roll over in her grave if I did that. It’s been in the family for generations.” His cobalt eyes locked onto mine. “I’m just here to sell my mother’s house.”

          If I smiled any wider, my forehead would cave in. Here it was, finally! My big, gorgeous fish.

          “What’s the address?” I tried to keep the giggles of glee out of my voice.

          “55 Van Buren Street.”

          That was near the old Adams’ house-slash-museum in the historic presidential neighborhood, just a short hop from downtown Deadwood. I glanced at Ray and could have danced the Charleston at the sight of his clenched teeth.

          “When would be a good time for me to come over and take a look around the place?” I was available now, yesterday, and the day before.

          “Are you free right now?”

          The phone on my desk rang, interrupting my shout of Yes! I looked at the number of who was calling and recognized it. “I’ll let that go to voicemail.”

          Wolfgang smiled. I smiled back. Hell, the whole world was smiling at that moment. We should have all joined hands.

          “Let me just check my calendar to make sure I don’t have any other appointments this afternoon.”

          A muffled guffaw came from Ray’s direction. Mona cleared her throat.

          The phone stopped mid-ring as I dug through my tote for my daytimer.

          “Here we are.” I flipped open to July, happy I’d taken the time yesterday in between twiddling my fingers and twirling my hair to add a few fake appointments to my book just to cheer myself up.

          Mona’s phone started ringing. She picked it up on the second ring.

          I ran my finger down the page. “I’m taking a client to dinner this evening but other than that, my schedule is open.”

          Wolfgang stood. “Perfect. You can follow me.”

          “Excuse me, Vi?”

          I looked at Mona.

          “I have a call for you.” She mouthed my son’s name.

          Damn it, Layne! “Can you take a message for me?”

          “Ummm, he sounds like this is kind of important.”

          If this was about those stupid worms ... I turned to Wolfgang. “Could you hold on for just a second, please?”

          He nodded.

          I walked to Mona’s desk and took the receiver from her. “I’m a little busy. Can I call you back in a bit?”

          “No!” Layne yelled. I’m pretty sure they heard him over in Montana. “You have to come home right now! It’s an emergency!”

          “Layne, calm down.”

          “Now, Mom! Hurry!”

          “Where is—” The line clicked, and then silence.

          My heart thudded hard against my ribs.

          “What’s wrong, Vi? Is he okay?”

          “I don’t know.” Layne had a history of crying wolf. His so-called emergencies often turned out to be minor predicaments fixed by applying or removing super glue. But if I didn’t go and something really was wrong, well, that was the Catch-22, wasn’t it? “I need to go home.” Then I remembered my big fish. “Uhh, Mr. Hessler—”

          “You want to reschedule?”

          “I’m so sorry.”

          “Don’t worry about it.” He reached in his back pocket.

          “I could go with you, Mr. Hessler,” Ray volunteered,