Diamond (Rare Gems #2)(6)
They both moved off, and he had a moment to wonder what the big day was about, but Blair had moved to the door to leave, and Thad needed his coffee. They were in the drive-thru lane when Thad finally asked about Diamond.
“She’s all right, isn’t she? I mean she did almost pass out, then that thing with the guy at the store. She’s not going to get sick, is she?”
Blair ordered before he answered him. “Nah, we seldom get sick, but exhaustion is pretty serious, and Diamond was beyond that. I think she worked for an entire month recently without a day off before she finally put her foot down. Sapphire thinks that woman that runs the hospital knows that Diamond won’t say no to her, and takes advantage.” He handed him his plain black coffee before he continued. “Diamond was offered a great job at one of the bigger hospitals recently, and we’re actually afraid she’ll take it. We don’t want her to move away.”
Thad had noticed that even though they fought a great deal, he knew that they were very close. He’d never had any sisters, and only the one brother, but he’d not seen him in so long that Thad sometimes forgot he had one. He and Ward had never been all that close and had drifted even further apart after their mom died a few years ago. He didn’t even know where he’d gone after he’d kicked him out of his house. He glanced over at Blair when they pulled into the parking garage at Flair Marketing. He decided to try and find him; just find, not contact, he thought after a moment.
“What would I have to do to find someone that I didn’t want to know I was looking for them? I have a brother that I’m curious if he’s still alive, but don’t want him to come near me.” He had no idea why he thought Blair would know, but when he nodded at him, Thad felt better just by asking.
“I have a few contacts that I can use. Mostly they work for the police department, but I can get something started for you.” They entered the building together, and Thad was given a badge and was told it was his to use every time he came to Ohio. “That’ll get you in and out of here when you need to. If you lose it, I’ll have to murder you in your sleep.”
Blair was standing at the elevator when Thad realized the man was kidding. He hoped he was, anyway. He could deliver a line like the one he’d just said to him without blinking an eye. He vowed never to play poker with this guy. He’d lose his entire billions in less time than he could play a hand against him.
Blair wasn’t ready for him to meet the staff, so Thad was set up in an empty office. He was even given a secretary to help out.
He was on a call to his foreman when Sapphire walked in. She smelled of dark coffee, and if that was what she had in her hand, he was going to kiss her. She set the cup in front of him and sat down. Even the strong smell was giving him a rush.
He hung up on Morton. Morton Guzman was going to drive him crazy over this new production line. Thad knew he’d have to go back to Texas and fire the man before this was all done, there was just no help for it. Thad took a sip of his coffee before speaking to Sapphire. She seemed to understand his need for it this early.
“Morton said that the specs you sent him are all screwed up and he has to redo everything.” He raised his hand when she started to speak. “I’ve already told him if he changes one thing on those mock-ups I was going to personally come down there and rip his ass open.”
“As I’ve suggested before, I think he needs to be put elsewhere on this project. I believe he’s responsible for the delays we’re having now.” Thad nodded as she continued. “And the guy is a bully. I can’t believe how he talks to his secretary.”
Thad hadn’t realized that until Blair had told him while he and Sapphire were visiting three months ago. Sapphire had overheard her crying in the ladies’ room and had talked to her. She’d gotten the entire story from her and then some. Apparently she was leaving the company because of other issues, but since she wouldn’t say what, he had no grounds to fire Morton, more’s the pity.
Thad leaned over and rubbed the wound on his leg. It was burning again. He had looked at it this morning when he’d gotten in the shower and was surprised at how red it looked. He was going to have to call the doctor when he got home.
“You should have Ruby or Diamond look at that. It might be infected.” He looked at Sapphire when she spoke. “We can’t afford to have you ill.”
“I’m fine. And Diamond might cut my leg off just for spite. I don’t think she cares for me overly much.” Sapphire just smiled. “How is she? I didn’t see her this morning before we left.”
“Still sleeping. I checked on her before I left and she hadn’t moved.” She paused for several seconds before she continued. “What do you think of my sister?”
If there had ever been a more loaded question, he’d never heard it. He leaned back in his chair and waited for her to clarify what she was asking him. When she didn’t, but instead continued to stare at him, he changed the subject. He was so not going to go down that path.
“I have a new product that I’d like you to have a look at. It’s what we talked about before with the drinks. I have someone from one of the manufacturers of the milk and juice companies coming here day after tomorrow. Do you think you can work with them?” She nodded. “Mike is kind of an ass but smart. Caroline is all business, so you’ll like her too.”