Page 43 of Blake

“No, thank you, dear. Clark will get me something.”

“Okay. We won’t be long.”

“Take your time. I won’t be going anywhere until we hear about Robert.”

Pax nodded as Blake opened the door and stepped out first checking the hallway was clear. Eddie was standing beside the door, but Pete had disappeared. Perhaps he was looking out for Henrietta and this Clark who seemed to make her shoulders slump in defeat. He walked with Pax’s hand in his as they followed the signs for the cafeteria.

Even though it was the middle of the night, the coffee shop was open and had a few people inside. They got in line as he grabbed a couple of muffins and some fruit for them both.

Blake angled his head to Pax and spoke, “Do you want to go sit down?”

Pax didn’t answer and he noticed she was looking across the room at something. He followed her line of sight and saw Henrietta having a heated discussion with a man of a similar age to herself. It wasn’t Pete, he was nowhere in sight. The man was tall, around six foot two, with a slender frame, blond hair which he thought looked dyed, and a black pinstriped suit. Henrietta was pointing at him and clearly upset but had lost the fear from her eyes now. The mouse was gone, and she was holding her own. The man shook his head angrily and moved to grab Henrietta Paxton’s arm, but she shook it off.

Blake felt Pax move but stopped her. “Wait,” he said softly still watching.

Grace went still but did as he said. The man looked furious now as they exchanged more words Blake couldn’t hear before Henrietta walked away. The man looked up, his face red with fury as he watched her leave before moving after her slowly. Pete stepped out from a pillar and came between the man and Henrietta, a warning in his stance as he slipped his hand into his inside pocket.

Fuck, the last thing we need is a public shoot out.

The man obviously thought so too because he backed up hands out. Pete walked after Henrietta and the unknown man walked in the opposite direction.

Pax made to move again but he stopped her. “Blake,” she gritted out in irritation.

“Let’s get coffee,” he said.

They had reached the front of the line and he quickly ordered their usual and paid for them and some snacks. Pax was silent as she followed him to a table in the corner away from prying ears.

When he had taken a sip of coffee, he looked at her. “Do you know who that man was?”

Pax nodded her eyes on her coffee. “Yes, that was Clark Baker. He and my mom go way back. They went to college together and their families were friends. He’s the VP of finance for Sana.”

“They didn’t seem very friendly now.”

“It’s always been cool but polite between them. I have no idea what that could be about.”

She sounded tired and he took her hand in his across the table. “You want to stick around?”

Her eyes came to his. “Yes, just until we know how the surgery went. Is that okay?”

“Babe, of course it is. You’re in charge, just let me know. I’ll need to make a quick call to Waggs though.”

“Okay, thank you.”

Her face brightened a little and he smiled back. She was so beautiful it made his teeth hurt to look at her sometimes. He wanted to kiss her so damn badly it was an ache. He didn’t though, he instead took out his phone and dialled Waggs. He stood as it rang and stepped into the corridor where he could talk in private and still keep an eye on Gracie. Her head was down as she texted on her phone. The phone went to voice mail, so Blake tried Decker who also went to voicemail. He left messages and then decided to call Reid and see if he could be reached. A tiny knot of apprehension unfurled in his belly.

Reid answered on the second ring. “Hey.”

“Hey, Reid. I was trying to reach Waggs or Decker but they ain’t answering. Can you add a name to the list of people who need looking into and push him to the top?”

“Yeah, sure.” Blake heard some movement in the background before Reid said, “Shoot.”

“Clark Baker. He’s the Vice President of finance for Sana. He seems to have some history with Henrietta Paxton and he and her dad Albert Lawrence seem tight.”

“Sure, I’ll get on it.” Blake heard Reid pause as if he wanted to say more but stopped.

“Thanks, and ask Waggs to call me, please.”

“No problem. How is Pax’s dad?” he asked sounding genuine and making Blake feel like a complete douche bag.