Read Online DeathWeb (Fox Meridian Book 3) by Niall Teasdale - Free Book Online Page A

full-service security provider.’
    ~~~
    There was only one access to Fox’s floor and that was via the back stairs which ran up from the basement to the roof. That led out onto a hallway which gave access to four rooms: lounge, bedroom, bathroom, and a large office. Fox had decided to recycle most of her apartment furniture and start from scratch, and she was checking on the results.
    The office was modern, but it held on to Fox’s theme for the place, which was art deco. There was a desk, solid and blocky with four drawers down each of the pedestals at the sides and a vanity board at the back. It was pale, veneered, synthetic wood with a comfortable, leather-backed desk chair with looping curls for arms set behind it. The walls were painted a soft green and were largely blank. Another, similar chair sat against the wall beside the desk, out of the way. The office would be used primarily for virtual meetings and what Fox needed in it was space.
    The lounge was big, the powder-blue walls gave it an even more spacious feeling, and there were three fairly large windows, rectangular ones which was not that thematic, but changing that would have meant rebuilding the walls. She had found a good pattern for a soft, comfortable sofa with a scrolled back, and there were two matching chairs. Those were set around a low table, but the basic idea was to have a communal sort of sitting area which faced a wall where vids could be displayed. There was also a dining table with six chairs from a beautifully styled pattern she had found.
    Fox grinned as she saw it. ‘That turned out well,’ she said.
    Kit appeared at her side, looking the same way, though she could really only see what Fox saw at the moment. ‘I believe your selections were all very good.’
    ‘You compiled the shortlists.’
    ‘Our selections then, though I admit I have no particular opinion on aesthetics. This is pleasing. Calming, I think.’
    ‘Uh-huh, let’s try the bedroom.’ Fox crossed the hall and found herself in a room with walls painted a strong red featuring a large bed in dark wood with scrolled head and footboards. There was a dresser, a wardrobe, and a chest of drawers, all in dark wood and designed to match the bed. ‘Uh-huh, that’s about right.’
    ‘It’s quite dark,’ Kit commented.
    ‘The lighting rig can brighten it up a lot, but it’s designed for sleeping. And other bedroom activities, obviously. The red’s supposed to promote… bedroom activities, but the dark is for the sleeping.’
    ‘I shall remember that phrasing. It’s got something like poetry in it.’
    ‘Smart ass.’ Fox opened the bedroom’s interior door and stepped into the bathroom. There was another door leading out onto the hall, and a boxed-off area at the back which housed the toilet behind a third door. And there was a sink, a full-sized mirror, a big whirlpool bath, and a walk-in shower. ‘I’ve never had a bath in my apartment before. Been in hot tubs at hotels a couple of times. Be fun to try it out. Terri says it’s relaxing.’
    ‘This one has a sonic massage system built in. It should be very relaxing. And I believe the shower should meet your needs.’
    ‘I shall reserve judgement until I’ve tried it, like the bath.’
    ‘Where will I be situated?’
    Fox flashed her a grin and went out into the hall, returning to the lounge. ‘I guess that’s the right phrase, but I don’t tend to think of you as that box.’ Walking over to the far wall at the side of the seating area, Fox found a box set low on the wall and popped it open to reveal a connector socket. ‘Here we go. I figured you could sit over here and then your server will be with us when we’re sitting here.’
    ‘Thank you, Fox, that was very thoughtful.’ Kit beamed, always so child-like when she was very happy. It was a quirk of personality which could be a little disturbing at times.
    ‘Not that it really makes a difference. Like I said, you’re not in the box. You’re…