Free Hush by Jess Wygle Page A

styles, hair styles, even make-up styles and what each of them meant.  From Olivia, I saw a girl desperately trying to be seen as a woman.  I was glad she had failed at covering it up.
    “Alright, I think I’m ready,” she announced, grabbing her designer bag.  With her back turned, I was able to admire her sleek curves and long tanned legs, affirming Red’s prediction of this job being a bad idea.
    I opened the door for her.  “After you.”  I waved her through.
    “How was your night?” she asked, as we made our way to the elevator.
    “It was just fine, thank you.  How was yours?  Did you sleep well?”
    “You know, when I walked into the bathroom last night,” Olivia started as we stepped into the elevator.  “I found some ear plugs in with the shampoo and soap and all that.  I thought it was odd, but then when I turned the TV off later in the night and was lying down to fall asleep, I realized what they were for.  It’s really noisy outside.”
    I smiled and nodded.  “Yeah.  Downtown especially.  I usually stay at a hotel in East Lake View and it’s the same thing there.  I’m sure if you lived here, you’d get used to it, but it’s probably a bit different from your quiet little neighborhood.”
    “It sure is.  You don’t appreciate something like silence until you don’t have any.”
    The valet held the door open for Olivia and me.  I stepped past her once we were out on the street and pulled the car door open for her.
    “So do you stay at the same place each time you’re here?” Olivia asked from the back seat, as I cut a gap into the busy morning traffic.
    “Yeah.  It’s an older hotel, a Days Inn, but I’m a creature of habit.  I always find I’m going back there.  Plus it’s really close to my office.  It’s just convenient for me to stay there.  They know me there.  It may be a little older, but it’s very well maintained and respectable.  The people there are great ,too.  It’s like a home away from home.”
    “You probably have one of those everywhere you go, right?”
    I nodded.  “I do. It’s just easier that way.  Then I don’t have to call all over town looking for a room.  I’ve actually got an old family apartment in New York City.  My grandparents used to live there when my dad was younger.  They left it to him when they passed and he left it to me when he passed.”
    Olivia gushed.  “Oh, New York.  I’ve never been, but I’ve always wanted to go there.”
    I smiled.  “It’s probably one of my favorite places to go.  It’s the best in the fall.”
    I pulled up outside the Feinberg Pavilion of Northwestern University.  “Do you know where you’re going from here or would you like me to escort you in?” I asked, looking over my shoulder.
    “No, it looks like they’ve got signs all over.  I think I should be okay.  If I’m not, I probably shouldn’t be attending this conference,” Olivia said, staring out the window.
    I hurried out of the driver’s seat, getting to her door before she could open it.  “You have my number.  Just give me about twenty minutes heads up before you want me to come get you and I’ll meet you right back in this spot,” I explained, as I helped her out of the back seat.  I could see the anxiety in her eyes, like a scared puppy stepping into a vet’s office.
    “That sounds great.  It probably won’t be until late afternoon.  I hope you don’t mind.”
    “Not in the least.  That’s what I’m here for.”  I smiled.  “Good luck today,” I added before she headed off.
    I pulled out my cell phone as I sunk back into the driver’s seat.  “Alec, it’s Callem Tate.” I said when one of the workers answered at the Chicago office.  “I’m in town and I plan on stopping by today.  When will Todd be in?  Alright.  I’ll be there in about forty-five minutes.  Don’t warn him.”

2013 - Callem
     
     
     
     
    “Okay, looks like she took a cab downtown to the Omni,” Red