Series: Paige Michaels
Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 44908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
The materials would all be delivered this morning. Remembering that Paul, her sometimes assistant, hadn’t shown up the last two times, Jordi decided not to text. She needed to talk to him directly. Picking up her phone, she dialed his number. When he didn’t answer, she left him a message.
Paul? This is Jordi Cross. Could you give me a call back? I’ve got a job starting today that I’ll need some help with. I still have you on the schedule. Let’s talk about your availability.
An hour later as she was preparing to head over to the detective’s house, he still hadn’t responded. She shook her head. This was so unlike Paul. He was dependable to the core. She called again. Reaching his voicemail, Jordi left another message.
Paul? This is Jordi Cross again. I’m really worried about you. Give me a call back?
Finally, her phone buzzed.
Look, Jordi. I don’t play games. I appreciated the jobs you threw my way. I thought we worked well together.
Her fingers jumped over the keys as she hurried to answer him.
Paul. What’s going on? I’m still counting on your help in my future projects. Please answer my call so we can talk!
Once again, she selected his number and tried to connect. The phone rang four times before he answered.
“Yes.” His tone was harsh.
“Paul. What’s going on? Is your daughter okay?”
“Daughter? I don’t have a daughter. Your secretary canceled the last two jobs at the last minute. I could have worked those days and earned some money on other projects if you’d given me some notice,” Paul said in a disgruntled tone.
The hair on Jordi’s neck stood on end. What was going on here? “I don’t have a secretary. Paul, I’m just a one-person remodeler.”
“I can’t help you there. A lady called me and canceled the jobs. She identified herself as your secretary.”
“Paul, I’m going to get to the bottom of this, but I assure you I don’t have a secretary, and I didn’t cancel the jobs. Someone is messing with our conversations.”
“Why would anyone do that?” he asked, his voice losing its harshness.
“Someone who wants me to fail apparently. It sounds like one of my competitors has my schedule. Someone’s trying to cause me to not meet my deadlines. Don’t believe anything someone says unless you talk to me directly,” Jordi urged.
“I’ll give you one more shot,” Paul agreed.
“Thank you, Paul. Can you meet me this morning still?”
“I’ll be there in an hour.”
Jordi arrived early to meet the truck. She started unpacking with their help as she watched, hoping to see Paul arrive. A few minutes later, he pulled up to the curb.
“Hi, Paul.”
“I’m supposed to be here, right?” he asked, unsure.
“Yes. Why? Did you get another call?”
“Actually, I texted the number myself after I spoke to you.”
“You did? Why?”
Paul shrugged. “To see what would happen. I said I wanted to confirm this morning’s job.”
“And?” This entire situation was bizarre. Who on Earth would be so vindictive? Jordi could only imagine a competitor, but she hadn’t had a run-in with any competitors.
“And I got a text confirming that today’s job had indeed been canceled.” He glanced around. “That doesn’t appear to be the case, considering you already have the supplies here ready to start.”
“Crap! Who’s doing this? I promise, Paul. I don’t have a secretary,” Jordi said urgently.
Paul scratched his head, his brows furrowed. “I’m sorry, Jordi. I had no way of knowing you didn’t have a secretary. I did think it was strange that you kept canceling on me. I just assumed you hadn’t liked my work.”
“That’s not true at all. You do great work. I need your help.”
He gave a quick nod.
Nicoya Stevens stepped out of her house at that moment. “Problems?”
“No. Everything is great, Detective. We’ll get these unloaded and get started. This deck is going to be incredible,” Jordi assured her. She didn’t want Nicoya to find out Jordi had a problem. She might not want a contractor who had baggage working on her deck.
“Detective? Like in the police?” Paul asked.
Jordi winced, but then realized maybe the detective could be of help.
“That’s right,” Detective Stevens confirmed.
“Can you trace calls like they do on TV?” Paul asked.
“I can with cause.”
“There’s someone calling who says they’re Jordi’s secretary,” Paul explained.
“I don’t have a secretary,” Jordi rushed to explain. “But everything’s okay. I’ll figure this out without allowing it to affect your deck.”
“Jordi, relax. I know you’re trustworthy. All your clients rave about you. I don’t like that someone is messing with your business and pretending to be part of your staff. Give me the number. If I have time today, I’ll run it through our system.”
Paul carefully read her the number and Nicoya recorded it on her phone. “No guarantees, of course. There are a lot of people who spoof their numbers to make something else appear on the screen. I’ll do my best.”