Read Online Prodigal Son by Susan Mallery - Free Book Online Page B

thing, but what you’re proposing is something else. But then it’s not you, is it? It’s that new girl. Samantha something.”
    “Edwards. And she has my full support.”
    “Of course. She’s very energetic, but in my experience, it’s better if we take things slowly. Sort of feel our way. Digital is all fine and good, but this company was founded on print media.”
    “Magazines are expensive and change slowly,” Jack said. “We don’t have any publication that has circulation over a million. We’re barely breaking even on thirty percent of our magazines and we’re losing money on the rest. The Internet is a significant part of our culture and increasingly where people are spending time and money. .”
    Roger nodded. Jack felt as if he’d just stepped into an alternative universe. If Roger was the head of IT in the company, shouldn’t he be pushing for more technology, not less?
    “Arnie mentioned all of this to me,” Roger admitted. “But he’s young and he tends to get ahead of himself. I hope he wasn’t filling your head with a lot of nonsense.”
    Jack was willing to respect those older than him and he was certainly willing to listen to qualified opinions; however, he wasn’t willing to be treated like an idiot.
    He straightened and stared directly at Roger. “Let me be as clear as possible,” he said. “This company is on the brink of financial ruin. I’m sure you’ve read about our recent problems. The announcement that my father kept a second set of books wasn’t happy news. Doing business the old way isn’t going to keep this company going. We need change and we need it quickly. I believe that digital expansion is our best solution. Now you can get onboard with that program or you can find another company that is more to your liking.”
    Roger blinked. “That’s very blunt.”
    “Yes, it is. I’ve heard good things about you and I hope you’ll decide to stay, but if you do, be aware that we have a new direction and I expect everyone to be excited about it.”
    “All right. I’ll consider what you said. As far as the Internet expansion, I’m concerned about the safeguards. Your target market is children and there are many predators out there.”
    Jack wasn’t sure how to read him. Still, the truth would come out quickly enough. Either Roger was with him or Roger was gone.
    “Protecting the children using our site is our first priority,” Jack told the other man. “Samantha’s first presentation was on Internet safeguards. She and Arnie are working very closely on that project. I appreciate your concern as well and I would ask you to oversee their work. Feel free to report back to me on any weak areas.”
    Roger seemed surprised. “Why should you trust me?”
    “I believe you’re genuinely concerned about the children,” Jack said. “You’re also slightly mistrustful of the changes. That will make you a good custodian of the security programs. You won’t let anyone cut corners.”
    “Thank you for that. Let me think about all that you’ve said and get back to you.”
    “Of course. Thanks for coming in.”
    Roger shook hands with him, then walked to the door. Once there, he turned back. “I wish you could have seen your father at work here, Jack. He was brilliant. Simply brilliant.”
    “So I’ve heard.”
    * * *
    Restless after his meeting with Roger, Jack headed to Samantha’s office.
    “Got a minute?” he asked as she hung up the phone.
    “Sure. Have a seat.”
    He glanced at the light wood furniture, the bright prints on the walls and the purple sofa by the corner. In a matter of a week or two, Samantha had taken the space and made it her own.
    “Interesting decorating,” he said as he settled in a chair.
    She grinned. “You hate it.”
    “Hate is strong.”
    “There’s a lot of really cool stuff in the company storage facility.”
    “Some of it dating back to the sixties,” Jack murmured.
    “You’re right. I didn’t want to get too wild, but I like