Ted...Master, had been away now for the better part of a week, he returned just before the weekend, though I'd only heard that he had, glad in a way that I hadn't run into him myself after what Bella told me.
"Worst mood he's ever been in since I've known him," she said confiding in me.
"Whys that do you suppose?" I now asked.
"The Grayson account," she said simply. "He's been involved in it on and off now for nearly two years. Every time he thinks he's got it nailed down, something happens, something changes. But we all know, it has something to do with the President of the company herself...Sybil Grayson. Every time Ted thinks that he's got this one wrapped up, she throws him a curve ball, some new wrinkle she's not happy with, wants more research done. Doesn't really care about the money, pays him whatever he tells her it's going to cost. In the beginning, he even made the prices so steep, he thought she'd either capitulate, or fire us...either or. She did neither. She paid, and paid...and then kept asking for other things. It's gotten to the point now, that Master's becoming almost consumed by it, trying to find a way to finally wrap things up, and come out ahead when he does. He's been working on that account again this week, and apparently from what I've heard since his return, he's no closer now than he ever was. I think he's about ready to throw in the towel, and I can assure you...it would be the first time he's ever done that, and it's not sitting too well with him either."
I had dealt with a few hardheaded women in my time as well, but I couldn't recall any as being quite this stubborn or hard to work with, save for one. It turned out she in fact hated men...almost to the point of obsession, and because she did, she had made what should have been a very easy investment, turn into a living nightmare. That was...until I personally got involved.
"I wonder if it's a man thing," I asked. "Maybe...she just doesn't like Ted?"
"Yeah, we wondered about that in the beginning as well. Ted even hired on a woman who he felt had the credentials, and expertise to put this one to bed. Unfortunately, that didn't work out either, for some inexplicable reason, Ms. Grayson seemed to become even harder to work with, eventually telling Ted that if he didn't replace the woman, and actively work the account himself, she'd sue him for breach of contract. And so...here we are again. Master's frustrated, there's been no real headway, and he's ready to cave in, even if it means losing several million dollars in a lawsuit."
"I wonder if Ted...Master, would let me look into it...into her?" I asked curiously. I had after all, done other things outside of simply being his "Companion", to which I felt like I had pleased him, achieving the results he had hoped for and expected.
"I'll mention it...suggest it," Bella told me. "But don't get your hopes up. I seriously doubt Ms. Grayson would enjoy having to work with you, any more than the other woman Ted hired when trying that before. So it's highly unlikely...but as I said, I'll ask...and we'll see."
**
Needless to say, I was surprised two days later when Bella came walking into my room unannounced.
"Sorry Maringa, but Ted needs you...right away, tonight," she told me. He's already booked you another suite where he's staying. I've already ordered clothing to be delivered to your room, which should be there by the time you arrive."
"Where am I going?" I asked anxiously, wondering how much time I had, and what I needed to prepare for.
"You're flying out to San Diego...now. You'll be checking in at the Hotel Del Coronado, Ted has chartered a plane for you, which will be waiting for us by the time we get there. Deidra and I are coming along with you as well, and we'll fill you in along the way. As I understand it...Master finally did come up with some fairly useful information, though it cost him a pretty penny in doing so. He's hoping that what he's discovered, found out...might prove useful to him. Useful enough...to be able to use it, and perhaps gain some leverage and finally wrap this project up once and for all. But the bottom line is...you'll be having dinner with him, and Ms. Grayson this evening, and then cocktails afterwards back in her own Penthouse there at the resort."
"Where will the two of you be?" I then asked.
Deidra and Bella smiled at one another, finally looking at me. "We'll be available and ready...at your beck and call, afterwards," they said.
"Afterwards?"
"Yeah...afterwards. Now...read this," she said handing me a manila envelope, which obviously contained a bit of new information in it. "Masters hoping that from what he's found and discovered, that your arrival, might actually end all this. Hopefully anyway. It might not be much, but it's all we have," she added.
I began reading through the few letters, documents, and even a private investigators report. Alone, none of them added up too much of anything. But all gathered together as I read through them, going back...reading through them again, they began to paint a very, very interesting picture for me. Suddenly, I began putting a few thoughts of my own together.
"She's smiling," Deidra said as I glanced up at the two of them.
"Yes she is, you come up with anything?" Bella asked.
"I don't know...maybe. If I'm wrong however..."
"If you're wrong, then we're no worse off than we already are," Bella said. "But if you're right...if there is something useful here, I know for a fact, you will make Ted...Master...a very happy man. And I for one, would prefer seeing him happy again, as opposed to becoming the very defeated looking man he's suddenly started turning into."
Once again I smiled. "It might be a long shot, but if what I'm thinking is correct...it might be our only shot. Just how far are the two of you...and Master, willing to go to help me do this?" I now asked.
Once again my dear friends looked at one another knowingly. "We'll go as far as you want or need us to go," Bella said. "The question is...will Master?"
