Read Mayhem in High Heels for Free Online Page B

visible behind it. The gargantu-desk was manned by a small, slim man in a pink dress shirt and bright green plaid sweater vest. A pair of wired rimmed glasses perched on the end of his nose as he talked into a headset glued to one ear.
    "Yes, Mr. Summerville will be at the planning commission on the third, but the groundbreaking in Tokyo will have to wait until he comes back from his trip to New York.
    "Yes, thank you for calling Summerville, please hold.
    "I'll transfer you to HR immediately.
    "May I help you?"
    His speech was so rapid fire it took me a minute to realize he was talking to me. But his pointed "What?" look, one eyebrow cocked up, head tilted to the side finally clued me in.
    "Oh, uh, yes. I was wondering if we could speak with Seth Summerville?"
    "Do you have an appointment?"
    "Um, not exactly-" I started.
    But Mr. Sweater Vest cut me off. "What is this in regards to?"
    "Uh..."
    Luckily Dana was faster on the draw. "Mr. Summerville wanted to talk with me about modeling for him in their next brochure. You know, for the project in Tokyo?"
    Sweater Vest narrowed his eyes. "Hmm. Well, Mr. Summerville is indisposed at the moment. But if you'd like to make an appointment, I'm sure he'd be happy to see you."
    "Okay, I guess." Not the immediate gratification I'd been looking for, but not a 'no' either.
    Sweater Vest opened a window on his computer and consulted the screen, all the while chatting away to his headset.
    "Summerville, please hold.
    "Yes, I'll transfer you to Mr. Peterman in accounts receivable.
    "No, no the plans for the Fairfax building were messengered over Thursday.
    "I have one opening on the twelfth."
    Sweater Vest looked at me expectantly.
    "Oh, you're talking to me?"
    He cocked an eyebrow, tilted his head. Yep, he was talking to me.
    "Right, sure. The twelfth will be fine."
    "Of April."
    I blinked. "April?" It was only February!
    "Mr. Summerville is a very busy man."
    I felt my heart bottom out my toes. So much for our prime suspect. But unless I was approaching him with a badge and a warrant, it looked like we were SOL.
    "Are you sure he doesn't have just a few minutes for us?" Dana asked.
    Sweater Vest gave us a stern look that said he was positive. "Shall I pencil you in?'
    I shrugged. "Yeah. Sure," I said and gave him our names.
    "Fine. See you on the twelfth.
    "Yes, the offices are open until five today.
    "Mr. Summerville will have to call you back after his conference call this afternoon.
    "You'll have to consult local zoning regulations.
    "Are you still here?"
    I jumped a little at his pointed gaze, realizing he meant us. "Right. Just leaving."
    Thusly dismissed, Dana and I marched back to the elevators.
    "Well, that was a bust," she said once we got back outside.
    I looked up at the building. Then down the street at the twin Starbucks.
    Hmm...
    "You in the mood for a latte?" I asked Dana.
    She shrugged. "Sure."
    I pulled out my cell, dialing Marco.
    "Yes, dahling?" he answered on the first ring.
    "Hey, Farrah. The angels need you. Meet us at Summerville?"
    Marco did a happy squeak. "I was just getting off. I'll be right there."
    I flipped my phone shut and grabbed Dana by the arm, dragging her down the street to Starbucks number one.
    The barista behind the counter wore about fifteen different piercings, half of which were in her lower lip, silver rings jingling with each breath. I tried not to stare (much) as I ordered two grande lattes - one nonfat soy (for Dana), one extra whip (for moi) and three empty paper cups in a cardboard carrying case (for entry to Summerville).
    Forty minutes later Dana and I were appropriately caffeinated and waiting again in the lobby of the Summerville building, when Marco showed up. While he was still in his greaser chic garb, I was relieved to see he'd traded in his roller skates for a pair of sensible loafers. Well, as sensible as Marco got. They were iridescent silver with red velvet hearts on the top.
    I handed him the three empty cups and quickly filled