Hot Property (Hot Zone 4)

Amy shook her head, glad she wasn’t anywhere near New York City during this lunch. “Go on.”

“Harrison, who is infinitely wiser and more cunning than Roper’s mother, and who has a stake in the outcome of this lunch, has agreed to agree with Uncle Yank. At which point we expect Cassandra to scream, become offended that he’d give her role away to someone unknown, and then take the role back on principle,” Micki said, sounding pleased with herself.

“But as soon as Cassandra comes to her senses, she’ll walk away again.” Amy massaged her suddenly aching temple.

“Not so fast,” Micki said. “Harrison’s assistant is waiting for the phone call that it’s a done deal and she’ll immediately ‘leak’ the news to the press that Cassandra Lee is back, making it impossible for the woman to dispute it or back out without looking foolish. Especially when Uncle Yank confirms Harrison’s claim that she agreed.”

Amy chuckled at the absurdity of it all. “You know, it’s so crazy that it just might work. Anything else I need to know about?”

Micki exhaled loudly into the phone. “Well, if the role ties Cassandra up the way we hope, she’ll stop booking twelve-piece bands and let her daughter and soon-to-be son-in-law plan their own small wedding.”

“Twelve pieces?” Amy yelled loudly until Hannah placed her finger over her lips, reminding her she was in a quiet restaurant.

“Twelve pieces and Barry Manilow, but Cassandra claims he’ll do it for free, as a favor for an old flame,” Micki said.

Amy cringed. “Eew. Too much information.”

“Harrison said she was full of it. And Sabrina isn’t answering her phone until her mother sees reason,” Micki said.

Amy raised a finger to Hannah, indicating she’d only be another minute. “Listen, you need to make sure this plan works or Roper will have a coronary,” she whispered to Micki.

“I know. But I think I have it under control…except for one teensy little thing,” the other woman said.

“How little?” Amy asked.

Micki grew alarmingly silent.

Amy stiffened in her seat. “What is it?”

“The stalker is at it again, except now he’s turned to threats. He sent a generic baseball in a brown box to Roper’s apartment. It was forwarded to the Hot Zone. Untraceable and untrackable, of course. The inscription on the ball read, ‘Whack the ball or you’ll be whacked instead.’”

Amy’s stomach churned. “Did you—”

“Report it to the police? Yes, along with all the other incidents. At least the ones Roper told you about. They want to talk to him, but I managed to stall that for a while. And I let Vaughn know what’s going on. He’s hired extra security for the lodge just in case. The good news is that since the stalker sent the package to Roper’s apartment as usual, we have no reason to believe he knows where Roper is.”

Amy exhaled long and hard. “But the papers are quiet?”

“Just a mention by Buckley that Roper’s lying low, probably hiding out in embarrassment. Roper would be pissed if he knew, but since he doesn’t, all’s well.”

“You weren’t kidding when you said everything’s wrong.”

“As long as you tell me everything is right there, I’ll be happy,” Micki said.

Amy glanced around at the dark wood decor and her peaceful surroundings. “Everything here is perfect. Roper is relaxed, baseball focused, rehabbing and he isn’t worried about home. It’s going exactly the way we wanted it to,” Amy said.

“Excellent! I have to go, but I’ll check in again soon.” Micki hung up and Amy turned back to her breakfast companion. “I am so sorry about that.”

“Hey, I understand when business calls. Everything okay?” Hannah asked.

Amy nodded. “Nothing my boss can’t handle.” Which was true. Except for the escalation in the stalker’s actions, which Roper wasn’t around to deal with, everything was status quo. His family was as needy and crazy as usual, but they had another audience to perform for, at least for a while.

The waiter had cleared the plates while Amy was on the phone.

Hannah leaned forward on her arms. “Then why do you look upset and worried?”

“I do?”

Hannah made a show of studying Amy. “Wrinkled brows, pursed lips, frowning…yup, you look worried.”