The Hand Job

Chapter 17 She got a call from her cousin Tom instead. Hanna had just walked into her apartment and was unloading her bag of the many papers, books, and pens that ended up in there by the weekend. Her mind was elsewhere as she answered. "Hi Hanna, this is Tom, surprise huh? " Hanna wondered who Tom was. "Tom, your cousin in Wapella, remember me?" Hanna was relieved that he wasn't a student looking for extra help. "Well, of course I’m surprised. You’ve never called me before. Is something wrong?" "No, I wondered how you were doing on the jade project, and I have sort of a message for you." "You have a message for me. Really? Give me the message first, and I hope it's good news, I could use some. It's been a troublesome day." "A man I know, well sort of know in Wapella, or sort of from Wapella, called me yesterday. He wanted to remind me that I had met him several times, said he was Michael Laurence, and he comes to town to check on old Iris." "I don't believe this, what did he say, what is the message?" "Well, it's kind of curious, but he asked me to call you, tell you that I know him, and can vouch for him being a righteous person." Hanna rolled her eyes, "Are you serious? He actually said righteous?" Tom laughed, "Yep, he did, but laughing all the time. I can't say I really know him, but I've met him, and everyone knows what he does for Iris.” "What else do you know about Michael Laurence?" "Not too much, but what he does for Iris says a lot, I think. What I've heard is he's from back east somewhere, or maybe Europe even." "That's the message, huh. Wonder what he expects to accomplish." "Hey, lighten up. Maybe he wants a date. So, how about the jade, any progress?” “For sure it’s real good jade, top quality, and if I ever find the statue, I’ll let you know.”