The Nightcrawler by Mick Ridgewell Read Free Book Online

Scott stood his ground squinting down at the carpet until his eyes had adjusted. The bustle of rush hour was well underway.  
    It looked like the start of a beautiful day. The sun’s glow was brilliant, the sky was clear and blue, a few thin white clouds barely noticeable high up in the atmosphere floated along adding just the right amount of contrast to be beautiful. He looked over his shoulder at his new golf clubs and smiled. Maybe he could do nine somewhere on the road.
    At nine fifteen, he picked up the phone, dialed C.S. and T.’s main line. After two rings, “C.S. and T., Sarah speaking. How may I help you?”  
    “Good morning. And how are you today?”  
    “Are you back in LA already?” Her tone became hushed. Scott thought she sounded much the same as his assistant when she was talking to her boyfriend during working hours.
    “No. I missed the plane. I’m still in the hotel. Is Thomas in yet?” His voice carried no hint of having been intimate with her just hours ago.  
    “One moment and I’ll transfer you,” and with a sharp click he was listening to a weak instrumental rendition of “Me and Bobby McGee”.
    Scott could picture Thomas at his large L-shaped desk, with the cherry wood top. There’d be no clutter on it, just an in-tray, a picture of his wife and a flat screen computer monitor.
    Scott heard one ring then, “Thomas Andrews.”  
    “Good morning, Thomas, it’s Scott.”
    “Are you calling from the plane?”
    “Still in the hotel. Slept in.”
    “Well I guess it was a good night then.” That comment had them both chuckling a bit. “So, what do you think of the Charger?”
    “It’s a great machine. I may have a buyer for it. He really wants a Hemi but I may be able to hook him if he drives yours. I thought I’d take a couple of weeks off and drive her to LA. Maybe hit the links here and there along the way. If this guy doesn’t buy the car I might buy her myself.”
    “Sounds good to me, I’m sure all the paperwork you need is in the glove compartment. Do you think you can get thirty for it?”  
    “It’ll be close but let’s wait and see. I’m going to head out soon; thanks for dinner last night. It couldn’t have gone better. I’ll call you next week about the car.”  
    Thomas wished him a safe trip and Scott hung up the phone.
    After a quick breakfast in his room, he packed his bags. He traveled light, a small carry-on bag, his laptop and a small suitcase. He called guest services and requested a bellhop to bring his things down.  
    At 10:37, there was a knock at the door. Scott opened it.
    “Good morning, Mr. Randall. My name is Jimmy,” said a skinny, pimple faced kid who looked about nineteen. “I’m here to get your luggage.”  
    Scott didn’t say a word. He just held up a finger, and then sat on the bed to make another call. The bellhop worked slowly putting the bags on his trolley unable to avoid hearing Scott’s side of the conversation.
    “Tina. Scott.”
    “Are you at LAX?” Tina asked.
    “No I’m still in Detroit. Missed the plane.”  
    “When’s the next flight, can I pick you up?”
    “I’m driving. I’m going to bring a car back. It’s a 69 Charger.”
    “From Detroit?”
    “Ya, gonna take some time to see the country. Play some golf.”
    “Did you bring your clubs?”
    “Not a problem, I bought some new ones here. Can you stay there until I get back?”
    “Sure, they’re renovating the pool in my building, so I can use yours for now.”
    “Great. How’s Max?”
    “As sweet as ever.”
    “Good. Don’t feed her too much. I don’t want a fat dog when I get there.”
    “You’re such a worrier.”
    “Thanks again, Tina, and let them know at the office that I’m not coming back right away. I’ll call you again when I get to Vegas. Bye.”
    Jimmy said he was ready to go down and Scott followed him out of the room, as though the bellhop knew a shortcut to the lobby.  
    “Where ya from?” Jimmy asked.  
    “LA”