CALLEY (RIBUS 7 Book 3) (20 page)

William was flabbergasted. He had never seen his little sister so assertive, or so upset. “I’m sorry, Chel. Please forgive me.”

Chelan let her head sag. “I’m sorry too.”

William rested his hands on his hips while he thought. Then he stepped up to her and took her by the shoulders. “Chelan, I don’t mean to change the subject, but you have to make some important decisions. I have to leave today and you can’t stay here.”

Chelan nodded and tossed her unruly hair out of the way. “I know. I had hoped you could help me find some work.”

“What kind of work?”

Chelan shrugged and reached for her lukewarm coffee. “I’m not sure. Something simple. Nothing long-term.”

Will reached for his tie and began tying it. “Well, why don’t you come back with me? You can stay with us.”

“No,” Chelan interjected firmly. “Please, I want to remain in the shadows. And I don’t want Marion to know I’m around. The fewer people who know I exist, the better. You should understand that by now.”

Will ran his hands through his thick hair. “Well, then, if its money that you need, I’ll help you out. That won’t be a problem. But as far as the government is concerned, you’re dead. So you can’t work legally.”

Chelan nodded. “I know. But as far as money goes, I’m okay for now. I just want to work at something, anything. I’m sorry to put you on the spot with all this.”

“No, you haven’t, little sister. But I do want to help. How about I put you up in hotel somewhere and give you some cash?”

Chelan smiled. She didn’t want to reveal the fact that Iceaneans had already been on Earth taking care of things for her. One bit of information would lead to another, and there was so much she did not wish to reveal. “Thanks,” she whispered. “But like I said, I’m okay for cash. Besides, if you tried to help out, Marion would undoubtedly notice a drain on your savings account.”

Will stood tall and shoved his hands into his pockets. “You may be right about that. The way she looks after everything, she’ll think I’m keeping a mistress somewhere.”

Chelan smiled. “See? I need a job.”

“Why don’t you just lie low for now, Chelan? I’ll find a way to take care of you through the firm if need be.”

Chelan shook her head. “No. Money aside, I want to work. I need to keep busy and pass the time.”

Suddenly, William’s face illuminated. “Listen, don’t say a word until you’ve heard me out. Let me get in contact with Jim—”

“No!”

“You’re not listening, sis. God, I don’t know why I didn’t think of this right off. I just assumed you would come to New York with me, but I have an apartment in Chicago also. The firm has a lot of clients in the vicinity and I often stay there when my services are in demand. Sometimes I even bring Marion with me.”

Chelan looked skeptical. “What does this have to do with Jim?”

“Well, not only could I easily put you up in my place, but you could also get in touch with him. He’s always kept in contact with the family, and he supported me immensely after Mom and Dad died. He has his own very successful company in Chicago and does consulting work for companies like Qualcomm and Apple. He has contacts all over the world. In fact, he could probably employ you directly and make some arrangement for your pay.”

Chelan shook her head. “First of all, I don’t want to strike up a relationship with him again. Secondly, how do I explain myself? And thirdly, he’s always been too high-profile. That won’t work. But the apartment sounds like a wonderful idea.”

“Okay, the apartment is a done deal, but as far as work connections, what else are you going to do? And whatever you choose to do, you should have a friend. Make up a story. Christ, you’ve got enough to draw on. And besides, you know he’ll turn cartwheels for you. You were the love of his life.”

Chelan put her cup down and looked at Will suspiciously. “He’s not married?”

William shook his head. “He wanted only you, little sister. He dates plenty, but no one so far has compared. I fear that even in your supposed death he holds a torch.”

Chelan rolled her eyes. “Mom and Dad always hoped I would marry him, though I can’t imagine why.”

William frowned. “He’s a powerful man, Chelan. He’s brilliant and handsome to boot. Not many women would have turned him down like you did.”

“
Powerful
is a relative term, big brother. Besides, he was pushy.”

“He was used to getting what he wanted.”

“I wasn’t another one of his contracts. I had feelings, and he didn’t always respect them.”

“Well, my point still stands. And he has far more professional contacts in your area of expertise than me. Plus, you said that you did remote sensing for the Empire. He has ties to that in the communications industry too. In fact, knowing his resources he could get you set up with an alias and get you into the business himself. I wouldn’t necessarily condone that, but your situation is unique. I know he has the clout and can do anything he sets his mind to.”

Chelan rubbed her brows. “I don’t know. When I decided to come back here, I expected to simply spend my time with Mom and Dad. I haven’t had time to think this whole thing through. I never expected to have eight months to kill on my own.”

“Come on, Chelan. Unless you’re going to go south of the border to work in some greasy spoon, your alternatives are bleak.”

Chelan groaned. “Too many of his friends know me.”

“I doubt that. Since he moved his company to Chicago and got whole new contracts, I think he has very few of his original friends. I know he flies around and visits some, but none to my knowledge reside near him.” Will raised his brows. “Actually, he revamped his whole company a couple of years ago and tossed out all the deadwood. I’d stake my life on the fact that you would be unknown. And you know that he’s a very circumspect person. He doesn’t talk about his personal life to anyone. Besides, he could probably set something up for you where you can work from home.”

Chelan brushed past him, not so sure she liked the fact that her brother was trying so hard to sell her off to her old flame. She sat down on the couch and shuffled through the newspapers. “Even so,” she said, “he will probably expect me to come running back into his arms. I don’t want that.”

“Well, Chel, it’s the best suggestion I have right now. You can hop on the plane with me today and give it a try in Chicago, where I can visit you regularly, or you can come stay with me in New York and we can work something out, or you can stay here and sort things out yourself. I have one hour to get to the airport, and that’s how long you have to make up your mind. I have the company jet waiting. I’m on it with or without you.”

Chelan let her head fall back and she stared at the ceiling. “I should have stayed within the Empire,” she lamented.

William looked down into her troubled eyes. “I’m glad you didn’t,” he confessed. “It’s wonderful to have you back.”

Chelan looked out the window as the jet soared through the clouds. Then she reached for William’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I want to thank you for me inviting me to stay with you in New York. I would love to meet Marion, but I need some time to think everything through.”

William squeezed her hand back. “I more than understand. I will keep your confidence indefinitely unless you indicate otherwise.”

Chelan smiled. “Thank you. A little time at your place in Chicago will give me the seclusion I need. I’ll keep in contact with you the whole time.”

“You make sure you do. You have come all this way after all this time, I don’t want to be away from you more than I have to be.”

“I absolutely agree. You are my family. As soon as I sort things out, we will be together as much as your work allows.”

William smiled. “Well, even with work, I know I’ll be in Chicago soon, so we can spend time together then.”

*****

The Lear jet touched down at O’Hare Airport and eventually came to rest near the terminal. As William and Chelan exited she glanced back over her shoulder at the jet. “Primitive technology,” she teased with a smile.

Will chuckled. “Oh come on now, we’ll get it right someday. Just give us a chance.”

Chelan trotted alongside her brother through what seemed to be miles of crowded airport corridors. Finally, they reached a car rental agency. Will looked at her. “Do you still remember how to drive?”

Chelan hesitated. “Um… I guess so? I’m not sure.”

“Well, look—I’ll rent one for you.”

“No. I’d prefer, actually, that you didn’t. If I had any trouble, it would put me in a bad situation. I don’t have a license, and all hell would break loose if I got stopped.”

William concurred. “Okay, then. I’ll phone ahead to the apartment security and inform them that I have a guest arriving.” He reached into his jacket and pulled out a key. Then he opened his briefcase. “And here are Jim’s business and home numbers.” He picked out a business card, wrote the home number on the back, and handed it to her. Then he stared at her intently. “Now look. If you need any kind of help, just call. Phone me at work any time. Just tell my secretary that you’re Susan, and I’ll take all the calls.”

Chelan smiled but then saddened. She was not sure she wanted to let her brother go so soon. Will reached for her hand as if reading her thoughts. “You’ll be okay, Chel. And if you change your mind, my home is always open—you know that.”

Chelan nodded and then gave him a big hug. “Thanks for everything. I love you to death, big brother.”

Will held her tightly, his eyes watering. “I love you too, Chelan. You take care. I have to run now. The jet’s waiting.”

Chelan waved to him as he began away from her. “Bye,” she whispered.

*****

Chelan settled into William’s apartment immediately, lounging in her newfound luxury. Will had spared no expense, and the place was lovely. Obviously, he was doing very well, and her heart swelled with pride.

She spent the next couple of days recovering from her abrupt reintroduction to her world while enjoying her peaceful surroundings. Will had an extensive library for her to peruse, but despite all her Earthly options for entertainment, she found herself captivated for hours upon hours by the television. She simply could not get enough of the world’s current events. It was as though she had been living in a time warp, and while in that suspended animation, a decade of her world’s history had escaped her. She was mesmerized.

Will called her every day he was able to from his office, just to check on her, and through their brief conversations, she found her heart longing for his company. But first she needed to figure out a comprehensive game plan.

She had thought about travelling, but without sufficient ID, she scrapped that idea. Besides, if something happened to her and she needed help, her situation could get complicated fast.

Finally, one week after arriving at the apartment, she couldn’t help staring periodically at Jim’s phone number. She spent the evening trying to think of how to approach him, but eventually she called it quits. No matter how often she rehearsed her lines, she knew the simple sound of his voice would throw her completely off any train of thought. So, off to bed she went.

Chelan slept well, and in the early morning she dressed and sat on the bed holding her cell. She stared at the number, punching it in several times and then hanging up. Finally, she bolstered herself and entered in the number again. If she didn’t call now, he would be off to work, and she would have to spend another day worrying about the whole thing.

The phone began to ring. Chelan tensed.

“Hello,” came the deep, groggy voice.

“Jim?”

“Yeah. Who’s this?”

Chelan almost hung up, her palms beginning to perspire. “Jim, it’s Chelan. I need to meet with you.”

There was silence. Chelan held her breath, but still nothing. “Jim?” she asked tentatively.

“Look, you sick bitch! I don’t know what kind of prank you’re pulling but—”

Chelan hung up quickly and jumped to her feet, her heart pounding. She began to pace. Whatever had made her decide that returning to Earth was a good idea eluded her. And how was she going to cope with eight long months here while remaining in anonymity?

Suddenly, she was startled to stillness. The phone rang and all she could do was stare at it. Finally, she dared to answer. “Hello.”

“Oh, Christ, Chelan, it is you. God, I’m so sorry. I just talked to Will. You stay put. I’m taking the day off and I’ll be right there.”

“Okay,” she uttered, and carefully put the phone down on the bedside table. For reasons she did not care to understand, she felt suddenly comforted, his familiar voice filling a void within her chest. Then her lip quirked. Seeing him again was actually going to be kind of interesting.

Not more than forty minutes had passed before Chelan heard a knock at the door. She tucked her T-shirt into her jeans and then ran to answer it. Taking a deep breath, she opened it a crack. She looked up and finally allowed a small smile. “Jim.”

Jim pushed the door open, his eyes wide as he beheld the apparition before him. He circled her slowly scrutinizing her from the tips of her bare feet to the top of her beautiful head. “My god, it’s true. You’re here.”