Betrayal - Fern Michaels [115]
Thirty minutes later, her reddish brown hair was almost back to its natural color. Another half hour to let the new color set, and she would be Kate again, just minus the long hair.
When she’d rinsed her hair in the shower, she got out and toweled off. Her reflection surprised her. She was pleased with what she saw. She hadn’t done that bad a job on her hair. Cutting or coloring. Who knows? Maybe I have a knack for doing hair. She laughed. She added a bit of blush and mascara before getting dressed. Jeans and another white shirt. This would get old after a while, she thought. She wore her Nikes. In case she had to run.
Get real, you’re being ridiculous! She was not afraid of Debbie. She was afraid of her own reaction to the vile Mrs. Winter. As Kate Rocket. Kate Ramsey was already history.
She drove directly to the real estate office. When she pulled into the parking lot, she waited for a few minutes before going inside. She hadn’t rehearsed what she would say. She knew the words would come to her as soon as she saw Debbie.
She entered the reception area just as she had the day before.
“Melanie,” she called.
“Be right there!”
Apparently the girl was in the kitchen. Kate could smell popcorn.
She didn’t bother sitting down; she wanted to go right to the main office.
Melanie came down the hall with a paper bag of popcorn and a soda in her hands.
“Mrs. Ramsey?”
So much for her not recognizing her.
“Yes, Melanie, but it’s really Mrs. Rocket. I don’t have time to explain. Somehow I’m sure your boss will at a later date. Right now I need to speak to Mrs. Winter.”
“You should have called first. You just missed her. She said she had an emergency at the bank. She didn’t know when or if she’d be back for the rest of the day. I’m sorry. Is there something Randi can help you with?”
“No. Does Mrs. Winter have a cell phone?” Kate asked.
“Of course. All the agents have a cell phone. Mrs. Winter supplies them with one; if not, well, who’s to say when a client would call and they—”
“Sorry, Melanie, I don’t have time to listen to your story. I want you to listen to me. What I am about to tell you and how you react could mean your job. Do you understand?” Kate hated to do this to the girl who’d been so sweet to her, but she didn’t have time to worry about it at present.
“What is it?” Melanie asked. She didn’t sound so sweet after all.
“I want you to call Mrs. Winter. Tell her there is an emergency at the office. She needs to return right away.”
“I don’t think so, Mrs. Ramsey. Not now. She just learned her youngest daughter is pregnant. She’s screamed at me so much the past two days, I am not willing to suffer her wrath.”
“Even if it means your job?” Kate persisted.
“I don’t mean to be rude, but I don’t think you have the power to control what Mrs. Winter does with her employees.”
So Melanie wanted to get smart. Okay, Kate would play her game.
“That’s fine. I know where she banks. And I know why she’s there. So, when she does come back, tell her she had an opportunity to get all of her money returned. She’ll know what I’m talking about. And you can tell her that you decided that wasn’t important enough to call her. You have a great day, Melanie.”
Kate was almost to the door before Melanie shouted, “Wait!”
She knew Melanie would see things her way. She stopped and turned to face the girl.
“Yes?”
“Wait. I’ll call her. But if I get fired for this, you better believe I’m going to tell her how you came in here and bullied me into doing this.”
“I don’t think you’ll get fired. Now make the call before I change my mind.”
Melanie dialed Debbie’s cell with shaking hands. Kate hated what she was doing, bullying a complete innocent, but it had to be done.
“Yes, I’m sorry. I know you said not to call. Well, there is a