Read Online Bitch Slap by Michael Craft - Free Book Online Page A

what I’ve created for the Reeces. I’m glad the doors happened to be closed; you can experience the full effect, the ‘ah’ factor, upon entering.”
    â€œNeedless to say,” said Glee, “I’m itching to see it.” She licked her shiny red lips in anticipation.
    There was a momentary lull in the noise from workers in the hall, and standing near the crack between the living-room doors, I heard voices within, raised in a discussion that did not sound friendly. One voice was a woman’s—Gillian’s—and the other was that of a man who also sounded familiar.
    I moved to Neil and Glee at the center of the foyer, telling them, “Perhaps we shouldn’t go inside right now. Gillian’s in there, and she seems to be having a disagreement with someone.”
    â€œPar for the course,” said Neil, unconcerned. “It’ll blow over. So let me take a minute to describe the room for you.” Glee turned to a fresh page of her steno pad as Neil explained, “It’s not only a living room, but a library. We took the two-story elliptical space at the center of the house and created an island of hushed formality. Surrounding the main furniture grouping, you’ll see floor-to-ceiling bookcases, the full two stories high. A balcony rings the room at the second-floor level, accessible from a winding stairway and from several ladders that roll on a track. Tall, narrow windows are interspersed with the bookcases, surrounding the room with light. These windows cry for dramatic treatment, so I’m especially eager to see Todd Draper’s finishing touches.”
    â€œHas he shown you drawings?” asked Glee.

    â€œSure,” said Neil. And he continued to discuss various decorating issues with Glee, passing several minutes in the foyer.
    Finally, Neil turned to me, asking, “Have things calmed down in there yet?”
    Stepping to the double doors, I intended to lean close and assess the situation, when we all heard Gillian shout, “When hell freezes over!”
    The man inside retorted loudly, “Does that mean ‘no,’ or did you have something more subtle in mind?” Now I recognized the voice—it was Tyler Pennell, who had apparently taken my advice to go directly to Gillian with his concerns regarding due diligence for the merger. It was equally apparent that he had been fully justified in his reluctance to deal with the woman.
    â€œUh … ,” I told Neil, “I think I know what this is about. Maybe you should show Glee the rest of the house; I’ll see if I can’t play peacemaker.”
    Glee’s reporter instincts were suddenly on high alert. “What’s up, boss?”
    â€œIt’s just business,” I replied vaguely. “Everyone involved with the merger seems to be getting stressed over the details.”
    â€œOh.” Glee lost interest the moment I mentioned the merger. She told Neil, “Sure, show me the house, and we’ll save the best for last.”
    Neil gave me a wink. “Thanks, Mark. See if you can’t pave the way for us in there.” And he escorted Glee down the hallway toward the dining room.
    When they were out of earshot, I turned to the double doors and gave them an officious rap, but the voices within didn’t miss a beat. In fact, the verbal assault between Gillian and Tyler seemed to be building, not slackening, so I decided I would simply have to abandon my manners, take action, and interrupt them. Giving a sharp knock of warning, I then fumbled with the doorknobs. Being unfamiliar with their mechanism, I inadvertently released both doors at once, swinging them wide open as I swooped in from the hall. It was a classic, campy Loretta Young entrance, which I would have found funny were it not for the serious circumstances.
    Both Gillian and Tyler seemed more startled than annoyed by the
interruption, turning to look at me with bug-eyed curiosity.