I awoke from a peaceful sleep snuggled up to Ice. It was warm and cozy as I looked at the clock that displayed 8:05 am. My computer was on the dresser, the alarm was going off with its beeping noise. This is unusual I thought, they never woke me unless it was highly important. I put on my robe, sat in the chair and opened the laptop.
"Good morning boss." came the happy voice of AJ with Mike beside her and Dan standing behind them.
"Good morning." I yawned my greeting. It didn't dawn on me that Dan was with them.
"What is up so early in the morning?" I asked still shaking the sleepy cobwebs out of my system.
"Long night Nelson?" Dan asked laughing.
"Actually yes." I said when realization set in.
"Why are you in this conversation, Dan?" I asked shocked.
"Just getting a feel of the place and people that I will be working with. Quite the setup." Dan replied happily.
"They took my recommendation to heart, did they?" I said with a smile.
"Yeah, I was approached this morning after all the activity you initiated. Thank you for that. They didn't tell me who else was joining me on the board other than the fact she is coming in from the DC area." Dan stated.
"Just keep your eyeballs in your head when you meet her." I said laughing as I already knew who it was.
"Why are you all leaving?" Mike asked. "Tired and burned out. It took me two years setting everything up, making connections and getting funded. Matt, Chelsie and John more or less comforted me along the way. None of them actually knew the big picture. Though the recent negotiations, John understands the most. John and I reorganized the company to protect every ones job. I am sure John will be stepping down soon also. With his recent marriage." I said filling them in while I saw them nodding their heads of understanding. Ice had awoken and went to the bathroom.
"I assume you went ahead and nabbed our bad guys?" I asked wanting to know.
"Yes, we moved in at six this morning getting the bank president out of bed. You were right about Heath and Abbey, they were originally planning Lena's death in the future, money and opportunity changed their minds. We hit Chad first as he was the most isolated. Then Abbey and her roommate next. The roommate may be an innocent pawn, they used her to make all the over the counter transactions at the bank. Though her story looks like she might have been the target of a new identity for Suzie Heart. Devon and his sources were right. I got to get to know that guy. We got Heath a little while ago with the USB drive. The locals were happy as they got six from the Eastside Gang. The locals also get to be the major players in the attempted kidnapping of Lena, right about now. She always goes for an early morning jog, we learned. We might be able to round up the entire gang from this." Dan related with a smile.
"So they were using Lena and her money to cover the tracks of the mob money. Then using a kidnapping scheme to get her money back in place minus the ransom fee to pay for it. Ingenius!" I said thinking about it.
"Just about like we surmized." Dan said astonished that we figured it all out.
"That is fantastic! Just think, my entire weekend is a company write-off. Nice profit sharing bonus everyone gets as a good bye present next month. To congratulate everyone for a job well done. Dan, you will get to meet Devon in a few days I am sure. Those circumstances and your new partners will be a surprise that will blow your mind." I started laughing, knowing what was coming.
"How do you do It?" Dan asked mystified.
"You will learn my friend, you will learn. Just trust your new partners." I answered knowingly, watching him look dumbfounded by the last statement.
"Dan, did you take care of that little problem with Ella, yet?" I asked earnestly.
"I will very soon. Haven't had the chance. I'll also take care of her front door also." Dan said with a smile.
"Most of us are taking the week off, here in paradise. If you need us, you know where we are. Have a great day." I said closing the laptop.
"Everything go well, Master?" Ice asked looking a little disappointed.
"Everything went according to plan, Love. Your breakfast desert will have to wait this morning." I said laughing. Ice smiled and gave me a passionate kiss.
"I think this would look wonderful on you for breakfast along with those daisy dukes of yours." I said holding up her t-shirt from yesterday.
"I smell someone cooking and I am starved, will be ready in a minute." I said going to the bathroom. Pot, hands washed, teeth brushed, put on my robe. Ice was a vision of beauty, she was covered but showing off as well. Wasn't that big on her new tennis shoes but it did match the outfit. Besides her little tootsies might be tired with all the heels she wasn't used to wearing. I completed her ensemble by adding her leash. She looked lovely and gave me another lip smacking kiss.
We arrived and were greeted by Chelsie and Ella fixing breakfast, the table was already set. I sat down as Ice went to the kitchen to help but was told to leave, she did manage to get me a glass of chocolate milk to go with my OJ and coffee, which I drank first. Matt came up wearing his robe also. Matt and I got our omelets first, sausage, mushroom and cheese with toast.
John and Lilly were in the bathroom as I heard the shower running. Ice got her plate next, delivered by Chelsie. Ella and Chelsie came out a minute later with their food and sat down. Chelsie a little glum.
"Nelson, I am sorry I couldn't be happy for you and Ice on your greatest day. It was my own selfishness that you made me realize with Matt. I see the likeness of me in Ice, she was your dream and I was the replacement. I messed it up long ago, she got what I wanted and I was jealous. You taught me that Matt was the man for me instead of you. I am really happy for the both you. Please forgive me, both of you." Chelsie said on the verge of tears.
"I accept your apology Chelsie. Maybe Matt and I can determine your punishment before the week is out. Ella can join in, I am sure she will want to be in on the action also." I said smiling.
Chelsie and Ella both looked at Matt with expectations with that idea in mind. Matt just shook his head while he enjoyed the view of everyone looking at him.
"I was wondering about the room downstairs that I accidently saw Ice enter last night." Matt said more interested in the playroom downstairs. He saw Ice go into it last night and took a quick peek inside when he came out of the bathroom. It was a well hidden secret for sure.
Ice and I looked at each other with a knowing glance and a wink. Smiling back at Matt.
"I think that can be arranged easily enough." I said laughing.
"There is a playroom. I was wondering where it was at. Hidden right under our noses the whole time." Ella stated gleefully.
John came in already dressed for the day. He had a bright and smiling Lilly in tow on a leash. She was wearing her wedding outfit from the night before and no makeup.
Ella got up. "Please be seated, I will fix your breakfast." Ella acknowledged. Chelsie got up taking her half eaten plate with her to help Ella. They finished eating in the kitchen, while waiting for the food to cook. Chelsie brought a fresh pot of coffee and filled every ones cup.
"Yes, in my frenzied haste last night, I forgot my bag in the car. Lilly said giggling.
"Millie, the bag you brought is in the trunk of my car." John stated.
"Ella, please. I think almost everyone knows that is my undercover name." Ella stated. "I wonder what I could have brought? Hopefully my makeup, that was my one big indulgence." Ella said thinking aloud.
Chelsie and Ella brought the plates for John and Lilly. "Congratulations to you both, too bad we could not be there for the wedding." Chelsie said a little dismayed.
