“I have not received any calls yet. I believe you are a more public figure than I am. From what I have learned, you were a guest speaker at a conference in New York City. Impressive,” he said.
Krista did not want to talk about the conference. Had he intentionally ignored the question about how he obtained her phone number? She didn’t need his flattering. She needed answers. In a more forceful tone, she tried again. “My phone number. Where did you get it?” If he thought for one moment that she was joking or easily dismissed, he would soon realize that was not the case.
He paused for a moment and she thought he might not answer. If he refused to do so, then she would end the call, and block his number.
“Someone from Montpelier works with me. I asked, and he provided it.”
Was that all he was going to divulge? Did they need to play 20 questions over something so simple? Krista had nothing better to do tonight, but she also had little patience for games. “I’m not sure I know anyone in New York.”
“I’m actually in Boston,” Connor said.
Boston? “Mikie?”
“Yes.”
“Is your last name Henderson?” She knew they were a very big family, but didn’t recall any of their first names. And she wouldn’t know any of them if she saw them. Krista never followed the life of the rich and famous. She treated everyone the same way, as a life that should be valued, and not based on what was in their bank account.
“My last name is Falciano. I am not a Henderson nor am I related to them. I do however work for them.”
She really couldn’t fault him for that. Mikie after all was working for them too and he was a good kid. Krista hoped that the Henderson family wouldn’t corrupt him. She might be wrong, but her fear was that Mikie was going to want more and more and more. In reality very few people ever had the kind of money the Hendersons have.
“I have no interest in seeing any video.” She didn’t want to think about it and that’s why she refused to speak to the reporters.
“I am working to have them all taken down. Unfortunately, it seems as though your name is already linked to the videos and to the pictures. As of yet, I am not.”
So she had her answer. He was not calling to check on her. This was all about him. Connor wanted to make sure no one knew who he was. Maybe I wasn’t so wrong yelling at him in New York. Just yelled about the wrong things.
“Mr. Falciano, you do not need to worry. I have no intention of speaking to any reporters. And I definitely will not be talking to anyone about you. Now if you don’t mind, I have better things to do, than to waste my time talking about social media.” Once again, Krista found her emotions heightened. What was it about him that made her feel on edge? Whatever it was, she shouldn’t worry about it, because this should be the last time they speak.
“I didn’t call just to talk about the videos,” he said.
“Why did you call then?” she asked.
Once again she was left waiting for his answer. When he spoke, she was not sure if she should believe his answer. “I am not sure why. Maybe I wanted to clear up the misunderstanding from the other day. There are a lot of rumors going around. I am trying to put an end to them. Not just for myself, but for the young lady who had the baby as well. Right now people think I am the father.”
“That’s right. You clearly said before that you don’t like children,” she snapped.
“I don’t believe I said I don’t like them. I just don’t want any. I’m single and they have no place in my lifestyle.”
Well that was frank enough. She should give him credit for knowing what he wanted and what he didn’t. More people should do that before leaping into having children and then deciding after-the-fact it wasn’t for them. And then people like me who would love nothing more than to be a mother and cannot have any children.
“I think the best thing you can do is to ignore all the gossip. It will eventually go away. The one thing about social media, is there is always something more exciting just waiting to be talked about. No one cares if it’s true or not. Just as long as it’s interesting.” And you’re not all that interesting!
“You’re very naïve to believe it will go away that quickly. And this is not just about me and it’s not just about you. There is a family out there that might not want to be in the spotlight.”
“That’s…very kind of you. But how do you know what they want? Have you spoken to them?” she asked.
“No. I haven’t had any luck learning who they are. I’m thinking that I might need to go to the hospital and…”
“They won’t give you any information.” She couldn’t believe she was about to suggest this, but if he was right, and the family really was caught up in all this drama, she might as well help him stop it. “I could go with you. With my credentials, I may have better luck than you. But I’ll need you to bring a copy of the video with you.”
“Why?” he asked.
“Because I’m not really her doctor. But since I delivered the baby, I might be lucky enough to use that as some leverage to obtain some useful information. What do you say? Feel like a road trip tomorrow?” she asked.
“No babies to deliver?” he asked.
“No one is even pregnant right now. Small town. You wouldn’t understand being from Boston,” she stated.
“I’m not from here. Just working here. But you’re right. I’m not a small town type of guy either,” he replied.
She was compiling a list of all the things he didn’t like. Children. Small towns. Social media. Maybe on the drive to New York, she’d learn something he did like. If there was anything to learn.
“What time would you like to leave?” she asked.
“I have to make arrangements, but I can have a chopper pick you up and bring you here. It’d be easier that way,” he said.
“Chopper? Like a…helicopter?”
“Yes. Is there a problem with that?” he asked.
Besides the fact I’m scared to death of them?
She needed to push past that. This wasn’t about her or him as he’d said. They had to get to New York and fix this. Then she could come back to Montpelier and hopefully not leave again for a very long time.
“Just text me the information, and I’ll be there.” Not necessarily ready, but she’d board the helicopter. What I’ll do for a patient.
“Have a good night. I’ll send you the itinerary shortly,” he said.
Krista ended the call, and really wished she hadn’t answered in the first place. He might be trying to help, but she had a feeling the two of them going to New York together might actually cause more problems then they could fix. She really hoped she was wrong.
Guess we’ll find out tomorrow.
Chapter 4
Connor was not about to lie as to why he needed to use the Henderson chopper. It technically wasn’t company business, but his goal was to keep the Henderson name unattached from it all, as well as his own. He hated to admit it, but it already might be too late. If all those reporters were actually reaching out to Krista like she said last night, there really wasn’t anything else to be done.