Families are messy - 4

“Thank you again Mr. De Klerk, I’ll be getting in touch with you soon.” Casey shook the man’s hand before escorting him out of his office.

Moments later Thomas came in, asking as he sat down, “Are we going to deal with him?”

“All the diamonds he had with him were GIA certified, but I still want you to run a check on him. I won’t buy from anyone who handles conflict diamonds.”

“Very good. I’ll start immediately.” Thomas paused before asking, “How was your weekend? Did you get to unwind at all?”

“Other than the few minutes after some damned fool hunter thought I was a deer and took a shot at me, I did indeed.”

“Oh my God, did you get…“ Then Thomas shook his head, slightly amused at himself for what he almost asked although he still looked shocked. “No I guess he missed you.”

“Thank goodness. He missed me and Duke. But it did make for a bit of an adrenaline rush.”

“I can well imagine. You do look more rested though so all in all it was good for you to get away.” Thomas stood then, saying, “And I should get back to business and run a check on Mr. De Klerk even though he does come well recommended or I wouldn’t have suggested that you meet with him.”

Casey smiled. “I’m sure he’ll pass with flying colors.”

Once Thomas had left Casey got down to the day to day business of running his company. He worked through lunch hour, stopping only long enough to go to the showroom to assist a long time customer in making a decision about a fiftieth wedding anniversary gift for his wife.

By mid-afternoon he realized he was hungry and decided to go to his favorite near-by restaurant for a lunch, or probably more a very early dinner. After letting Thomas know he’d be gone for an hour he took the elevator down to the lobby, waving to the security guard who was manning the front desk, and then went outside where he was greeting by bright sunlight and a sidewalk full of pedestrians enjoying the day.

He reached the restaurant and almost turned away when he saw Darla entering on the arm of a twenty-something young man dressed in torn jeans and a tight T-shirt. Then he thought better of it and continued inside. If nothing else, he figured, it should be interesting watching them deal with the maitre d'.

Casey had called it correctly, the maitre d' of the restaurant was trying in vain to let the young man with Darla understand that he was not properly dressed to dine there. Darla was in full pout when Casey came into view.

“Casey,” she cried out, totally oblivious to the small scene she and her companion were making, “tell this stuffed shirt that Skull has as much right to eat here as...as you do.”

“Skull?” Casey had to clamp his mouth closed before he laughed out loud. Then, for whatever reason he took pity on his sister and her ‘friend’, telling the maitre d’ that they were his guests. The man scowled before pasting on a smile as he led the trio to a corner table well away from the majority of the diners.

“So, Skull, if I’m not being too inquisitive, what do you do for a living?” Casey asked once they were seated. He was tempted to add, ‘Besides sponging off my sister,’ but decided not to go there, yet.

“I’m a CPA,” Skull replied, causing Casey’s eyebrows to rise in surprise. Skull chuckled. “I wouldn’t be dressed like this but I’m also a part-time model and Darla just picked me up from a shoot.”

“Alright, I guess that makes sense.” Casey turned to Darla, asking politely, “How are you doing?”

“I’d be better if you moved to another table and left us alone.”

“Darla,” Skull said in disapproval.

“It’s alright, she and I may be related but we’re hardly the poster children for happy sibling love,” Casey told him with a laugh. He stood, waving the approaching waiter to his side. “I have to leave but you are to treat this couple as if they were your best customers, if you please.”

“Yes sir, Mr. Rothem,” the waiter replied, pocketing the two twenties Casey slipped into his hand.

With that taken care of, and not really wanting to stay in the proximity of his spoiled younger sister, Casey left and headed down the block to find somewhere else to eat.