Pat Cromwell

Contracted by Red Rose Publishing

Memory Lane Series 2
Parker's Promise

Unedited Excerpt

“What do you mean you haven’t found her?” Parker Crane yelled into the phone.  “How difficult is it to find one woman?  Surely her parents have been in touch with her and vice versa.  It’s been nearly a year for goodness sake.”

“Sorry bro, it’s as if she dropped off the face of the earth.” Jason Crane, Parker’s younger brother by two years spoke quietly into the phone.  Parker was sure Jason was trying to be firm as well as logical, hoping Parker would abandon his obsession and see the fruitlessness of pursuing Millicent.  That would never happen.  It would simpler to ask Parker to cut off an arm then to abandon his search for Millicent.

“What about Simon?”

“He’s just as concern – if not more so than you.  Believe me, if he had heard from her he would spill it.  The guilt is tearing him up inside.” 

“I could care less about Simon’s guilt.”

“I’m worried about you bro.  You need to step back from this situation and—” 

“Careful little brother, you sound like mother.”

“Well…maybe for once the old biddy has it right.  Jesus, did I just agree with the hag.”  Jason sounded astonished.

“Yes you did.”  Parker laughed into the phone.  “Watch it Jace.  That’s dangerous ground you’re treading on.  Do not ever make the mistake of sounding agreeable in her presences; she’ll take it as ascension and victory over you.”

“God forbid!”  Jason laughed then sobered quickly adding, “Seriously Parker, there isn’t much more Dennaud & Crane Investigations and Security can do.  At this point some of the staff is joking that your job is just a charity case to keep the business afloat.”

“What are you saying Jason?”

“Is it?  I mean…the girl does not want to be found.  Plus, even I find it hard to believe that one woman has you so torn up inside that you’d spend all this money just to find her.”  Jason faltered and Parker considered carefully his brother’s word.

“Millicent means a lot to me.”

“Well you sure as hell have a funny way of showing it.”  The sarcasm in Jason’s words took Parker aback; he and his brother had always been close, seldom fault, and always stood together.  As young boys they learned at an early age to maintain a solidarity and united front, particularly when dealing with their mother.  Jason’s words cut deep in Parker.

“Care to explain that cryptic remark?”

“When you had her you threw her into the lion’s den.  Rather, the lioness den and left her there dangling.  You let mother eat her alive.  Then, you turn around and married that stupid cousin of hers adding salt to her wounds.  Finally, she finds a good thing with Simon and you manage to screw that up for her.”

“That’s bullshit and you know it.  I had nothing to do with Simon breaking their engagement.  That honor goes to Miss Lilly Rouilard.”

“And your screwing around with Simon’s fiancé had absolutely nothing to do with it.”  Jason countered leaving Parker speechless.

“You knew about that?”

“I think everyone knew about it except Simon and then again, maybe your boy knew too and he just didn’t give a damn considering he didn’t love Millicent the way a man love’s a woman.  You know Parker, I’m through with this.  The entire situation is ridiculous.  You only want that girl when you think you can’t have her.  If D & C had located her, honestly, I’d be hard press to share her whereabouts with you.  She deserves better and wherever she is at, I hope she’s getting it.”

The next sound Parker heard was a dial tone.