Winnie was sitting in the family room of her home not believing what her daughter just said. “You got arrested? Behind Elaine?”
“Yes, Mother,” Grace sat back in the chair across from her and crossed her legs. “I did. And will take the punishment. She deserved that and more.”
“Yes, but I have to say,” Chrystina giggled from her comfortable position on the sofa with Myles’ arms around her. “The vision of Elaine on the floor of that bar was priceless.”
“No,” Myles laughed. “That wasn’t the best part. The climax of the scene was when Grace went behind the bar, grabbed another bottle of the Goose, climbed up on said bar, strutting down it like she was on somebody’s run way, opened it and poured it down into an unconscious Elaine’s face.” He laughed. “Now that was classic.”
“So where did Jonathan disappear to?” Monica asked.
“He went after his father,” Grace responded. “I would not expect to see Brentwood Michael for a long while.”
“As long as he doesn’t kill him, I say good riddance,” Monica shook her head. “The moment I saw him in the club I knew he was up to no good.”
“It did not look that way when you two were on the dance floor,” Winnie replied.
“Now I never said Brentwood and I did not have good rhythm together, because we did,” Monica smirked. “He just wanted more out of life and he did not care how he had to get it.”
“Well, he has Jonathan to deal with now,” Grace chuckled. “I don’t think he will kill him, only make him wish he was dead.”
“Myles, enough is enough,” Winnie stated. “Tomorrow I want papers drawn up rescinding all benefits allotted to Elaine in the exit package she received from Dunning. Grace I want you to look into filing charges against her for conspiring to share trade secrets.” She narrowed her eyes as she looked at everyone in the room. “It is time for the gloves to come off. These people need to be taught, you come after Dunning and there will be a price to pay.” The tone of her voice caused Myles, Grace and Chrystina to sit up straight. “I want it to be known to anyone who has thoughts of hiring her, exactly what she has been up to at Dunning. And if they choose to hire her as a dog catcher, consider Dunning an enemy.”
“You should know that Savannah Whitfield sent a reference request to us for Elaine,” Grace advised.
“Did she, now?” Winnie pulled out her cell phone. Looked through her contacts, then pushed her call button. She cleared her throat and waited. “Spencer, It’s Winnieford.”
Myles and Chrystina glanced at each other. Then Myles glanced at Grace. Grace shrugged her shoulders.
“I’m wonderful. I hope you are too.” She listened. “Yes, that was an evening I will not soon forget. I want to thank you for coming to my rescue. However, I am afraid we have a situation. It seems Savannah is planning on hiring Elaine Jacobson for her new company. Now Spencer, you know I respect and adore you. However, it would be a grave mistake if I discover Elaine is working for Savannah in any capacity. At some point, I will be happy to fill you in on issues we have discovered at Dunning.” She listened for a moment then smiled. “Thank you for understanding Spencer.” She nodded. “Dinner?” She fumbled with the hem of her dress. “Saturday? Consider it a date. See you then.”
She looked up. “Yes, well Elaine will not be working anywhere in this city.”
“So you have a date?” Monica smiled.
Winnie glanced around the room. All eyes were on her, waiting for a reply. She shrugged. “Dinner between friends.”
“Un huh,” Monica smirked.
“Well,” Myles nodded, “Winnieford Dunning has spoken. So it has been said, so it has been done.”
“I want her out of this city before Monday morning,” Winnie continued. “I will deliver the news to her in person.”
“Hey, where is everybody?”
Winnie replied to Gary’s voice. “In the family room.”
Gary walked in the doorway grinning. “Well, I’ve had an eventful afternoon. What about you all?”
“We’ve had a laugh or two,” Chrystina replied.
“Grace, Jonathan went home to shower and change. He said to meet him there.”
Grace stood. “Well, it has been a long day. Mother, I will have that paperwork ready first thing in the morning.”
“Thank you, my darling. It’s time for Elaine’s gravy train to end.”