ENDING OF PREVIOUS POST:

After Emily went toward her room, Anderson continued, "I'm glad you stayed here."

"Do you think they'll attempt to hurt Emily?" Shana chewed on her lower lip. Before Anderson could answer, she added, "I'd better leave. I don't want my presence putting anybody in danger, especially Emily."

He stepped closer and knelt so his eyes met hers. "I promise I won't let anything happen to anyone I care about."


TODAY'S POST:

Chapter 16 part 1


The following morning, Emily ran onto the patio for breakfast yelling, "Ms. Shana, has your party dress come yet?"

Jane pointed her finger at Emily. "No yelling or running in the house. Nothing is ever delivered until after lunch, you know that?"

Emily sat beside Shana. "I bet you can't wait to see your party dress. I hope it's pretty blue like mine. Aunt Jane, what color is Ms. Shana's dress?"

Anderson entered. "I see we're already discussing party dresses." He leaned over and kissed Emily on top of her head. "Good morning, pumpkin."

"Daddy, I'm not a pumpkin, I'm a little girl." She giggled.

"Could've fooled me."

"Drew, I forgot to mention this earlier, but tomorrow around five o'clock, personnel from my salon will arrive and do our hair, nails, and make-up."

"I can't wait," squealed Emily. "It sounds like fun."

"I figured we wouldn't be able to go there," continued Jane.

Anderson motioned toward Emily. "And her?"

"She'll have her hair done in a little girl style. I think her ends are in need of a trim. I'll see to it that she has an appropriate nail color for a five-year-old." Jane smiled.

"I want fire engine red." Emily held up her hands and examined them.

"You'll get a soft pink or nothing." Jane frowned.

"What will Ms. Shana get?"

"I'm...I've never..." Shana looked to Jane. "I rarely wear nail polish or make-up." She touched her shoulder length dark, brown hair. "It just sits here."

"You're beautiful the way you are, sweetheart. Don't you agree, Drew?" Jane glanced at Anderson.

"I, ah, agr, just remembered I need to make a phone call." Anderson left the room.

"Why did Daddy get up and leave without eating breakfast?"

"He'll be back shortly." Helen set a platter of waffles on the table. "You should like this breakfast, child." She faced Jane. "You shouldn't tease him so." She laughed. "But it was fun, wasn't it?"

Jane nodded and her eyes twinkled.

Philip stood in the doorway. "Why did Drew rush out of here like the room's on fire? I have something to discuss with him." He sighed as he looked at Helen and Jane. "What are you two up to now?"

"Nothing. We were just discussing make-up and nail polish." Jane sipped her coffee.

"Aunt Jane won't let me have fire engine red polish. She's mean." Emily pouted.

"I have a feeling there's more to it than nail polish, but I'll leave it there." Philip walked over and poured himself some coffee.

Halfway through breakfast, Anderson returned.

"Daddy, you almost missed the best breakfast Aunt Helen has ever cooked."

"Please pass the waffles." Anderson avoided looking at Shana. "Helen always fixes good food."

"Drew, I received a voice-mail from a Maxwell Gaines. You know that lawyer who comes highly recommended for our situation. He wants to know when we can meet."

"Set up something as soon as possible." He took a deep breath. "Shana, I'm sure you'll want to sit in on that meeting, correct? When would be a good time?"

She nodded. "Yes, sir." She put both hands out. "My calendar is completely free." She faced Emily. "I guess I should check with my social adviser."

Emily giggled.

"After breakfast, I'll see when he's free." Philip sipped his coffee.

"Try to push for later this afternoon. I expect news from Kuznetsov sometime today. I doubt he'll risk delaying it." Anderson took a bite. "Helen, I think Emily's right. These are great waffles. Did you do something different?"

Anderson and Philip stood as they heard the elevator door open. In walked Jeff and he held a large manila envelope. "Guess who this is from?"





*Please remember this is only part of a much longer chapter. I divide my chapters into three or four parts for ease of reviewing.*


Characters so far:

Shana Kohlberg -- a 25 year old high school English literature teacher -- she's trying to get her family's painting back

Anderson Sharp -- often called Drew -- 31 years old -- works part-time on Wall Street -- a billionaire from Texas oil wells

Dmitry Bezrukov -- one of three Russian men in black suits

Jeff Burk -- takes care of Anderson's cars and important security details.

Helen -- Anderson's cook

Jane -- Anderson's housekeeper

Philip -- Anderson's butler -- close friend and confident

Kyle -- Anderson's dog walker

Axel -- Anderson's lead German shepherd

Thor -- Anderson's second German shepherd

Romeo -- Anderson's third German shepherd

Aaron Kohlberg -- Shana's older brother

Ivan Kuznetsov -- formally Ivan Morozov, I accidently chose a real person, so I have changed it present day owner of the painting.

Patricia -- Anderson's ex-wife

Emily -- Anderson's five year old daughter

Isaiah Glassberg -- Anderson divorce/custody attorney.

Jeremy -- Jane's second-cousin twice removed, NYC undercover cop.

Hannah -- Shana's cousin, the same age. Married within the past year and just had a baby

Joshua Colton -- Art Museum's curator

Benjamin Kohlberg -- Shana's father

Maxwell Gaines -- Lawyer hired to get painting back