Game, Set And Match

Chapter 4

TOP COMMENTS:

FU_LO4Life69:

Lorraine Whittle gave Rosie’s date head under the table at the charity ball and now she’s after notorious bachelor Phillip Jameson, who will this wh*re sleep with next for fame and fortune?

DashNgo:

Amber Rose wants Lorraine Whittle for the next slut walk.

Sloppy2nd’s:

None of her clients really want to learn how to play tennis, they just follow her because she’s pretty.

KoncerndMama:

What kind of example is Lorraine Whittle setting for out teenage daughters sleeping with so many different men?

FU_Lo4Life100:

Lo Whittle is so inconsistent with her weight, she needs to eat some food looking like a small breeze can blow her away any second. Wonder what in the world Phillip Jameson sees in that bag of bones.

Queen Fantasia:

I think Lo makes tennis not only look boring but unwatchable.

BadKitty69er:

She is only with Phillip Jameson for his money, better watch out son, she’s a gold-digger.

Those were just a few comments there were thousands like the above and worse on the list. No wonder Lo looked like she was always in pain. These comments were horrid and uncalled for. Everyone who knew Lorraine in the flesh new what a sweetheart she was. Phillip put the papers down, and pushed the folder marked ‘Lorraine Whittle’ to one side. He began to carefully go over the details thinking there must be some kind of connection. First he would try and see if there was some pattern from the time interval in which the messages sent on the fitness app was posted. He sat back in his chair, staring blindly at the file his mind coming to a blank.

Was it worth phoning and involving his best friend Steve to check if he could find something he failed to see? He rehearsed the call in his mind. A relaxed, unpressured tone of voice, his friend knew Phillip well, any inflection in his voice could give away tell-tale signs of how much Lo was high up in his affections. He wasn’t ready for the grilling he would get from Steve as he himself had laid down the law of work first women after. Lo’s life was at risk though he could put his pride aside for once as the predator kept getting more violent with each post. He reached for his phone and dialed the number, his fingers tapped fast then he waited, on the third ring Steve answered.

“Hello?”

“Steve it’s me, I have a favor to ask you.”

“Phillip, you finally remember there is work to be done, don’t think for a minute you are going to saddle me with it all?”

Fu*k.

“It ain’t my fault you chose to set up base in that winter wonderland you call home, you know I hate the cold.”

“Well the cases are building up and I need the help, besides, you promised.”

“Fine. I’ll head over to your side next week.”

“Okay cool.”

“By the way I may be bringing a guest so have the guest room aired out just in case.”

“Is this guest of the female persuasion?”

“Yes, she is.”

“Good, good.” Steve tried not to sound too elated, he felt his friend worked too hard and had become too dull of late. A good woman in his life would loosen him up and bring back the old fun Phillip.

“Well?”

“Well what?”

“It’s not like you to be so close mouthed, she must be special, and who is she?

“No worries man, you’ll see her when she gets there.”

“Gotcha, anything else I can help the great and mighty Phillip Jameson with?”

“Actually there is. I’m gonna email some files, run them through the security database and see if any of the findings are conclusive.”

“Okay Boss,” said Steve. “Just send on the work, don’t complain when you see my latest bill.”

“Humph…” It was a stale joke between friends, to the average man Steve was expensive but to Phillip he was worth it. Steve was a literal genius, trustworthy and invaluable. He would pay any amount to have him on his team. Theirs was a mutual partnership that extended beyond the bounds of friendship. “Ha-ha. Look, it really doesn’t matter,” said Phillip. “I’ll see you in a few days, all right?’

“Hope you don’t mind but some of guys from our last run are still hanging around the place, hopefully it won’t be a problem”

“Oh, all right.” Phillip gave in. So much for a quiet uneventful trip with Lo, with the other guys there he could expect a lot of jests and ribbing at his expense.

“Oh yeah, bring groceries as well kinda running low on stock in the pantry.”

He replaced the receiver and closed his eyes. By the end of the month it would be a done deal, they would know who that assailant is, no more time wasted. It should all be in the bag; signed, sealed and stamped. He picked up the folder and flicked through it a couple more times. He was already completely familiar with its contents. When he had enough he put it into a manila envelope and sealed it. He would fed ex the documents to Steve on the way to his date with Lorraine.

Phillips’s eye fell on the stack of papers on his desk; so much work still left to be done he could really use a vacation. Some of it was paperwork he’d prepared for tomorrow’s briefing that he hoped he nailed. It never failed to bother him how nervous he got whenever he had to do public speaking. He was the guest speaker at another convention to promote his latest software. He made a note in his cell to check on how Steve was progressing with the case later down in the week.

*****

“I think it is time Lorraine,” she said. “For you and me to have a talk.”

Her tone was serious and that knowing smirk at the corner of her mouth hinted at trouble. It was the look she got whenever she was going to thrash someone for whatever wrong they did.

“Spit it out Rosie, you’re starting to get on my last nerves and I really don’t need this unnecessary drama right now.”

“Now see here Lorraine. I appreciate all you have done getting my son through his finals and all but I feel like he has learned all he can from you and deserves another coach that can take him to the next level. As of today, I am no longer in need of your services, especially with the latest scandal surrounding your loose lifestyle.”

“You know my circumstances and that the story in the tabloids is far fetched and untrue. I thought you were my friend Rosie. How can you stand there and stab me in the back like this?”

“You’re such a needy whiny puppy, you think with your past you would’ve toughen up by now, now you know what the rest of the world feels like when they don’t have your looks or body to rely on.”

“What in the world are you talking about? If you withdraw your son now at a crucial time like this everyone else will follow suit.”

“No hard feelings Lorraine, this isn’t about friendship, I’m doing this for my son he deserves the best, this is about business my son’s future success is dependent on how well I manage his career. Quite frankly your ship has sailed, the awful gossip about you has ensured that your career has taken a nose dive. If I were you I would leave the country and not come back, just start fresh elsewhere.”

“Rosie you must realize someone is out to ruin my reputation and career, why I can’t possibly imagine. What satisfaction would they even gain from it? If you go, others in your circle will see me as unfit and would want to pull their children out as well.”

“I know.” She said quietly. “It wasn’t an easy decision to make.”

“Rosie you are so selfish, thinking only about yourself. What about your son? Don’t you think he deserves some consideration, he loves it here with me, we’ve come a long way and made new friendships, wouldn’t he be devastated to leave the club behind?”