Staffing. You left a message with our service last night requesting a call.”
Julian immediately recognized the voice. “Natalie as in the Nat Pack?”
A short pause and then, “Do I know you?”
“Yes, you do. It’s Julian.”
“The Julian Drake I picked on all through grade school?”
“I think it lasted through junior high, and yes, it’s me.”
“No way! And you’re a doctor now? Not surprising, since you left all your classmates behind in the dust. You skipped, what, one or two years?”
“More like doubled up on some and tested out of others. They didn’t really skip me.”
“However it happened, you graduated at sixteen. You’d already been gone a couple months when I found out. I can’t believe you remember me.”
“Didn’t at first. Your married name threw me. But I’ll never forget that high-pitched voice.”
“And I’ll never forget you had no voice at all. Always so quiet. And I’m divorced, by the way. Would have reverted to Johnson, but I have a son. The boy genius Julian, a doctor. That fits you. Will you be working at the urgent-care center that just opened up?”
“I’m a psychologist, not a medical doctor. I’m opening a private practice.”
Another pause, this one a bit longer. “Come to give my dad some competition, huh? He’s the go-to shrink in this town. Has treated patients here for over thirty years. So good luck with that.”
“I have no desire to compete with Dr. Johnson or anyone else. Mental illnesses and behavioral disorders have steadily increased through the years that he’s practiced and are still on the rise, which means, unfortunately, there are likely to be enough clients for both of us.”
“That’s what a couple other doctors thought. One still has an office here, though I heard she teaches at a community college to supplement her income. Guess the one or two people who slipped past my father weren’t enough for her to pay the bills.”
“Thanks for the encouragement.”
“You’re welcome.”
Julian pondered Natalie’s words as he gazed out the window. It was a beautiful day. During the festivities in Louisiana, the mercury had climbed to ninety degrees and above. Too hot for Julian, even for July. Or any other month. He much preferred the seventies experienced during Northern California summers. The office’s location on the building’s fifteenth floor offered unobstructed views of the town’s tony square and the sprawling fields and ranches of Paradise Valley beyond it. His brother Warren owned one of those ranches. He thought how good a horse ride would feel but knew that with the work ahead of him, today wouldn’t be when he got to do it.
“Where’d you graduate and do your internship?”
“Graduated from Columbia.” Julian walked back to his desk and sat. “Interned in New York.”
“Impressive, Doctor. Why’d you decide to come back here?”
Julian looked at his watch. Time to focus on the matter at hand—hiring an assistant. If she was as nosy now as she had been in high school, the Natalie he remembered could keep him on the phone all afternoon.
“Probably the same reason you did, to do business in my hometown. Speaking of which, I assume your call is regarding the information I filled out online?”
“Yes, Superior Staffing is my company, and yes, PC is still a very small town.”
They shared a laugh. “Indeed. Will you be able to assist me, considering I’m viewed as your dad’s competition?”
“Ha! Dad has probably forgotten more than you’ll learn.”
“Ouch!”
“Just calling it like I see it. You’re no competition for him. As for an assistant, I do have a couple qualified recruits in mind who, based on what I know so far, would be good matches. At least from the online questionnaire that you filled out.”
“So how do we proceed? I’d like to get someone hired as quickly as possible.”
“Normally I’d set up the first appointment and send them over at your earliest convenience. But since it’s you, a friend I’ve known since grade school, I think a follow-up interview is in order, one done in person so I can be sure to select the most appropriate candidates for the position. What about dinner tomorrow night at Acquired Taste?”
“I’m busy most evenings. How about lunch, around noon?”
“Perfect. See you then.”
“And Natalie, no practical jokes, okay? The little kid is all grown up.”
“You sure have, and quite nicely. I pulled up your profile online.”
“Good. Then I’ll be easy to recognize. See you tomorrow.”
Julian dodged Natalie’s flirty comment. He remembered her popularity in high school and had known several of the guys she’d dated. Pretty girl. Funny, too. He wanted her assistance in finding a competent assistant, but nothing more.
* * *
“Another great show, Nicki!”
“Thanks, hon.” Nicki hugged Paige, her friend and cast mate. “Had to take it to the next level to shine beside you!”
“That’s right, girl! Razzle!”
“Dazzle!” They high-fived. “If these previews are any indication, opening night is going to be huge.”
“Is Julian coming?”
“That’s the plan. What about Mike?”
“I don’t know. He’s always working.”
“Hmm, the detective sounds like someone else I know.”
The two laughed, locking arms as they walked down the dark and narrow backstage hallway to the exit just off Forty-Ninth Street. As usual, a group of theatergoers circled the exit, waiting for a chance to get a snapshot. Maybe even an autograph or a selfie. Most were there for Paige, the famous pop celebrity playing Rapunzel. But a lot of fans loved the best friend added in the modern retelling of the classic fairy tale and waited for Nicki, who played her. Though tired, Nicki obliged them. Countless times, she’d been that fan, waiting for her favorite star. Dying for an autograph. She’d dreamed of being that star since she was ten. And here she was.
Paige turned to her. “Hey, my car’s here. Want a ride?”
“Seriously? Of course!”
The driver stood next to the rear car door he’d just opened. “Good evening, ladies.” A nod and smile accompanied the formal greeting.
“Joe, this is Nicki. Nicki, Joe.”
“Hello,
