East of Sunday

By Kathy Bridges

Follow this exciting story as Phillip is introduced to the the powerful deal maker. Watch the revealing of the ultimate goal. See a family work and live in harmony in unprecedented times. Enjoy the mingle of business and family life. Enjoy your life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jul 22, 2021
• ISBN: 9781300283614

Book preview

Chapter 1

Look, you have to tell me why he needs protecting if you want me to do the job.

I can only tell you that he needs shielding not protection.

Phillip stands from the oversized brown leather seat in front of the mahogany desk. As he bends to pick up his briefcase, the small squeaky voice from the other side of the desk interrupts his movement.

Wait a minute.

No. I won’t wait. I can’t work if I don’t know why I’m needed. I must have enough information to calculate where the risk may come from. If you aren’t willing to share that then we need to stop wasting each other’s time.

My boss is a very secretive person but I will talk to him again. Here sign this form and I’ll arrange a meeting with him.

Sign what? I am not signing anything.

It’s simply a nondisclosure contract that you will keep all our conversations completely private. You can never mention his name as a client or discuss any of his arrangements.

That’s an impossible request. I do not work alone. The people I’ll have guarding him will need to know some details. I can’t work like this. As Phillip reaches for his briefcase yet again, again he is distracted.

It really will be well worth your while. We will pay you triple your rate.

You must not know my rate.

We are aware that you are one of the highest paid in your field but you have come highly recommended and my client has highly sensitive demands.

Okay look, Phil said with his most commanding voice, we do not protect any activity that is punishable under U.S law.

We are not asking you to. We are completely legitimate. My client’s work is honorable.

I’ll be the judge of that. But I can’t because you haven’t told me anything yet.

And we won’t until you sign the non-disclosure. Take it with you. Stay another day in the hotel on us. We’ll pay for everything. Read the disclosure agreement and call me tomorrow to meet. We’ll meet at 4:00 P.M. I’ll have you picked up at 3:45. That should give you enough time to review that contract. Then you can come to dinner and meet my client. Give me your plane ticket. I’ll have it changed for you. You’ll leave on Sunday morning after meeting my client tomorrow. You’ll be glad you stayed. Come, I’ll arrange your ride back to the hotel.

The lobby is abuzz with hotel patrons going to one of the restaurants or bars on the mezzanine level. Dinner seems to be a distant thought in Phil’s mind. It seems that some people are over dressed and then he remembers. This is Valentine’s Day weekend. Sunday is Valentine’s Day and people are trying to get ahead of the rush, he thinks to himself. Mental note, don’t forget to pick up a present. It’s important and it must be special. Oh, better make it three gifts. From most sought after bachelor to a house full of females in a matter of a few short months, he thinks to himself. The words husband and full time father seem to haunt him as he wanders onto the elevator and up to his room half dazed from an abrupt change of plans to be on a plane and on his way home; instead he has to consider a nondisclosure agreement for a client that he knows nothing about except his highly unusual secretive nature.

As soon as his hotel room door is closed and the briefcase is on the desk, Phil takes his data phone from his briefcase and text to his attorney Call me ASAP, Phillip. Then he takes off his jacket and neatly places it on the coat hanger in the closet and loosen his tie before removing his shoes and placing them into the closet suddenly remembered that he has to unpack clothes for the remainder of the night as well as tomorrow. No clean shirt. Immediately, he picks up the phone and dials the code for laundry service. Can you pick up and return a shirt by noon tomorrow?

It wouldn’t be ready until 5:00P.M., Sir. We send out all laundry at night and it isn’t returned until 4:00 P.M the following day.

I see, said Phillip and he pressed the switch for a new line and immediately called the front desk. Hello. What time does the mall across the street close? Nine O’clock, Sir. Thank you. Feeling a little less pressure he continues to undress and unpack slacks, a polo shirt, and loafers for tonight while clicking on the T.V for the latest news update. He slips on his shoes, a jacket, takes the key card off the dresser, and heads downstairs.

One, please. Sorry Sir. We’re full tonight. There won’t be another available table until 10P.M. said the waiter. I see, said Phillip. Dejected, he steps away from the entrance and looks out the front door. It’s snowing harder than he expected and he knows it’s cold. He walks over to the concierge and asks for a taxi. Where will you be going Sir? Across the boulevard to the mall. The concierge rolled his eyes upward to look at him without taking his hand from the phone. Hanging up the phone the concierge said, your cab is waiting Sir. With no coat on, he dashed out the door and into the waiting cab. To the mall, asked the taxi driver. Yes, that’s right. It’s nasty out tonight. I can see why you don’t want to walk over. But you know I’ll have to go a couple of blocks around to enter the drop off point. That’s fine. Can you wait? It should be less than half an hour. I’ll have to keep the meter running but I can wait. That’s fine.

Inside the mall, a look at the directory shows that there is a Ralph Lauren on the main level at the end of the right corridor. While briskly walking to the store, his cell phone vibrates. Hello. It’s me. What can I do for you; asks the attorney over the background noise of mall traffic. Can I call you back in say 30 minutes? I’ll be here. And both men hung up the phone.

Picking out shirts is easy for Phillip. Thin stripes not wide, tab collar, and light color never white. He picks up a powder blue and a soft gray. I’ll take these. He says as he looks over to the tie table remembering that he needs to match a tie with the new shirts. Need a tie Sir? Yes. He says turning to walk to the table. Thin ties always are his choice. He finds a light blue with deep blue strips and a yellow and gray tie. Giving them to the clerk that is preparing his shirts he is obviously distracted and not noticing the woman standing next to him until her arm brushes his sleeve as she reaches for the yellow and gray tie he selected. Oh, I really like this one. And it’s so you. I mean. You’ll look terrific in this. Is it for a dinner date? No, he said sharply turning his attention back to the clerk. That’ll be $325.00, Sir. Well it can be. I mean, I’d like to take you to dinner, tonight, if you can spare an hour. You see, I’m traveling alone and… You look nice and I’m sure you’re a nice person but I really don’t have time for dinner. Would you if you had the time? Looking a bit surprised at the question he suddenly remembers home (Sheryl, Clare and Mari). No, I wouldn’t but it’s not because of you. You’re very attractive. Oh, I see. You’re a good boy. I’m trying. Here you are Sir, says the clerk passing the neatly packaged shirts and ties to him. Phillip turns around, politely smiles at the lady looking at him just a little puzzled, and walks out of the store and toward the mall’s entrance.

Back at the hotel, he calls his attorney back but there is no answer. So, he takes his new purchases out of the bag and neatly hangs everything in the closet. Suddenly feeling hunger pains he remembers he hasn’t eaten yet.  It’s a quarter to ten o’clock. Without hesitation he grabs his coat jacket, swipe card and wallet, and leaves the room for food. Nothing particular is on his mind just something hot and filling. One, please. We have a seat at the bar but a table will be another ten minutes. I’ll take the bar seat. Yes sir, but we only serve appetizers at the bar. How long will it be before a table opens? Phil asked sounding a bit annoyed now. One just became available. I’ll get it cleaned up right away. Thank you, said Phillip with a bit of an edge in his voice. With the table cleared he sits down and immediately opens the menu. Lamb chops are the first thing that catches his eye and he immediately thinks of Sheryl as it is her favorite meat. Glancing at his watch he decides not to call but instead returns to the menu. Then it hits him. It’s their first real Valentine’s Day, he is not going to be home, he didn’t have anything delivered and he forgot to call. How much trouble is that going to cause he thinks to himself as another hunger pain attacks this time with a vengeance. The waitress comes to the table. Anything to drink Sir, she asks. Yes, but I want to order first. I’ll have the New York rare with potatoes and a salad. No, make that the chocolate cake instead of a salad. Do you want the cake for dessert? No, bring everything at once and I’ll have a gin and tonic now while I wait. Looking at his watch he wonders if he will be in more trouble waiting to call tomorrow or calling at this hour tonight. It is an hour later there but Sheryl is known to work late into the night. But the girls have to be up and out of the house early in the morning for a makeup music lesson, he thinks. Better call now, he thinks. As he reaches for his phone in his jacket coat pocket he realizes that he has left it upstairs. The food starts to arrive with the cake and drink. So hungry, he starts to take a bite of cake which begins to calm the hunger pains. He closes his eyes, inhales deeply and chews the cake as if it were the only thing between him and death by starvation.

Is everything okay, sir, asks the man that appears to be a manager. Yes, everything is fine. Are you closing soon? We normally close at ten o’clock. We just stayed open late tonight for our Valentines’ Day guests. I understand. I won’t be much longer. I don’t mean to rush you but I would like to start letting some of the staff prepare to go home if you have finished ordering. I have all I need. Thanks. No problem, Sir. Enjoy your night. Phil nods his head in acknowledgement as he cuts into the still piping hot steak.

Back upstairs in his room, he quickly undresses and runs into the shower. Toweling himself off and feeling exhausted from a long day he simply throws himself under the covers without thought of opening the dresser for something to wear. Nearly before his head hits the pillow, he is fast asleep.

Chapter 2

The sun beams in the window as Phil wakes up trying to shade his eyes by tucking his head underneath the pillow but the cell phone rings.

Yes, he answers groggily. We need to pick you up earlier than planned how soon can you be ready Mr. Wallock? Who is this? I’m the driver that dropped you off last night at your hotel after your meeting with Mr. Hal Klutchens. Oh yes, I remember you. He cuts into his sentence as he sits upright in the bed. We are not meeting until 4:00 P.M. What time will you pick me up? I need to pick you up now, as soon as possible. I have been told to get you here now. How soon can you be ready? What? When did that change? I haven’t heard from anyone about a new time and I haven’t done some of the things I need to do yet? Sir, it’s important. I need to come and get you and take you to the meeting now? Who are you people? Phillip asks now very annoyed at the intrusion. I am not allowed to give you any details just to get you here. Okay, so when you find someone who can give me more details, I will come. Until then, I think I’ll go back to sleep." The phone goes silent as he has hit the end button and tossed it back onto the night stand. He glances at the clock which displays 5:30 A.M. and he submerges back underneath the covers in total disbelief and anger at the disturbance.

Ten minutes later, at 5:40 A.M. the phone rings again. He doesn’t answer. Then the hotel phone rings with a startling volume. Snatching the phone off the hook but not saying one word he listens as the other end has a voice saying – I know you don’t really know us yet. But trust me, when I tell you it is urgent that we meet, I mean it. We are about ten minutes from your hotel. Please prepare to meet us as soon as possible at the front entrance. Pack all your belongings, you won’t be returning to the hotel. Now, how much time do you need? The voice was stern, monotone and devoid of any emotion. Thirty minutes. Fine, we will be in a black limo. The headlights will flash when you exit the hotel. The trunk will open. Place your bags in the trunk and enter the car curb side. The phone went silent. And as Phil searched for the hook to cradle the phone’s arm he sat starring in puzzlement; but only for a brief moment. Then he threw the cover off his naked body and went to the bath room to prepare for what he doesn’t really know.

When he exited the hotels’ main entrance, sure enough there was a black limo and the lights flashed exactly one time and he could tell the trunk was ajar. Not to show any hint of intimidation – that would be a mistake under any circumstance – he squared his shoulders a little more and began walking toward the vehicle very slowly and methodically. He walked to the back of the car intentionally not attempting to look into the vehicle. That would be a waste of time - as the windows are most certainly tinted - and a show of uncertainty which could not be risked. He put the suit case into the trunk with four other suitcases all of different makes presumably belonging to different people, took his cell phone from his inside pocket and silenced it and took his briefcase containing his laptop to the car on the curb side, of course. The driver, the first voice on the phone this morning and the man he did recognize as having dropped him off last night was closing the trunk behind him while another man — who appeared to be a waiter from the hotel — was exiting the front of the vehicle closing the door behind him and then started to push away the cart that he apparently brought with him. As Phillip bends to enter the already open door, he counts three other people encroached in massive seats of leather. Good morning, he said as he sat into his seat only recognizing one person — the one that interviewed him yesterday. Everyone returned their own version of a morning greeting. Then Hal, the interviewer from yesterday looked across at the man sitting next to Phillip and with a slight raise of the hand said, this is Mr. Pelgrin. He is the one seeking your company’s services. And without hesitation, Phillip extended a hand to him and greeted him personally saying It’s a pleasure to finally meet you Mr. Pelgrin. Likewise, he retorted. And this is Jerry, Hal continued. As the driver began pulling off from the parked position, Hal opened the wooden cabinet between him and the next seat. Inside the wooden door were four other compartments. The two largest compartments were on the bottom side by side and two compartments were on top spanning the width of both of the bottom two larger compartments. Before opening either of the compartments, he removed two leather containers. The first one he opened was empty and he placed it in the middle of a table that suddenly rose from the floor at the instruction given by his touch of a button located in his armrest. He then opened the second container and offered something to Mr. Pelgrin. He took out an apparently moist cloth towel as steam rose from the container and carefully and methodically caressed the towel in the palm of his hands then proceeded to the backs of each hand. Then he discarded the towel into the empty box on the table. Following, he took one towel from the other side and repeated the process announcing; the first towel has an antibacterial soap and the second towel does not. Help yourself, he said as the container was then presented to Phil and a warm drying towel was given to Mr. Pelgrin. The process repeated until all four fellows riding in the rear of the limo had washed, rinsed and dried their hands. Then Hal placed the containers back into their resting position inside the door of the cabinet. Next, he opened the drawer second from the top and removed four plates