Chapter Thirteen

Yancey got up the next morning in a fowl mood and stayed that way for several days. One evening, when Tammy was in bed and the three of them were relaxing in the family room, the telephone rang. Yancey tossed his newspaper aside and stomped into the hallway, where he gruffly answered the intrusive caller. His eyes sought out Lisa as he questioned the caller. "Who's calling?" From the expression on his face, he wasn't consoled by the answer. He held the phone out to Lisa. "It's for you," he stated sourly.

Lisa dropped her pad and pencil on the couch and crossed the room, wondering who might be calling her on his telephone and why Yancey was screening her calls. When she reached for the receiver, he released it reluctantly and then lounged against the wall where he could hear her conversation.

"Hello?" Lisa asked tentatively.

"Lisa? Howard. Connie gave me this number to call you. Was that your boss? He sounded angry. I hope I haven't stirred up trouble for you."

"Is there a problem?"

"Can you talk?"

She glanced up at Yancey, but he gave no indication he might give her any privacy. "Not at the moment," she finally responded.

"Is he listening to your phone call?" The response was sharp.

"I'm afraid so." Eyes as cold as ice were measuring her every word.