Read Online Ruthless by Steven F. Freeman - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Steven F. Freeman
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fact, yes. She ended up marrying the quarterback right out of high school. A few years later, they divorced. I guess there’s more to picking a good husband than finding a guy who can throw the game-winning touchdown, huh?”
A few minutes later, Alton and Chelsea joined them on the porch. Chelsea asked Gail a few details about Alton’s younger years, and Gail provided an overview of the hardships he had overcome to help his family and attend college. Mallory noticed Chelsea patting Alton on the arm sympathetically at times during the narrative.
“It seems like after all the stuff that happened when he was a kid, Alton has been pretty lucky since then,” said Chelsea.
“To some extent, yes,” replied Gail, “but frankly, hard work—especially towards specific goals—is more important than luck. Or, as Alton likes to quote, ‘luck favors the prepared.’”
Kayla walked onto the porch. “Chelsea, a man called for you just now.”
“For me? Did he leave a message?” ask Chelsea.
“No, he said he’d try again later…and that it would be a surprise.”
Mallory and Alton had just enough time to trade worried glances before Chelsea’s cell phone rang.
CHAPTER 21
“Put it on speaker,” said Alton.
Chelsea nodded and answered, “Hello?”
“Chelsea, this is Mr. Lewis. I’m glad I finally got a hold of you. I tried your cell and it went straight to voice mail. Then I tried the land-line number you gave me and got some kid.” The relief Chelsea seemed to feel in recognizing the voice as her manager’s soon gave way to irritation, the reaction an unanticipated weekend call from one’s boss is likely to produce. It was a surprise all right.
“Hi, Mr. Lewis. Yes, the cell reception in the house is hit and miss, but I’m outside now. What’s up?”
“I reviewed your request to take some time off. I’d like to say yes, but our backs are already up against the wall to hit our project deadline. If we lose one of our key programmers for a week or two, I can’t see how we’ll ever make it on time. I’m sorry, but I’ll need you to come back to the office on Monday.”
“Mr. Lewis, I understand what you’re saying, but I’m already four hours away from Alpharetta. Can I work from here for the next week or so? I’m with…some friends.” She smiled at Alton.
“Let me check the project schedule,” replied Lewis. They could hear the clatter of typing on a keyboard. “I’m fine with your remote work arrangement for Monday and Tuesday, but Wednesday is our team roundtable. We’ll be discussing the beta test results. I’ll need you here in the office for that.”
“Okay. Thanks for the extra days, Mr. Lewis,” said Chelsea. “I’ll see you then.”
After she hung up, Alton asked, “Is this really a good idea—going back to work? Doesn’t this put you right back in the path of danger?”
“Assuming I live through this, I still need a job. You either play by Mr. Lewis’s rules, or you don’t play at all—at least not at Kruptos.”
“What’s with the ‘Mr. Lewis’? Since when did we start using formal titles at work?”
“Since Mr. Lewis set his sights on making VP,” said Chelsea with a roll of her eyes.
“This is a bad idea,” said Alton, “but if we’re going to go back to Alpharetta, we’ll at least need to devise a plan to keep you safe until the culprits behind Jay and Louise’s murders are caught.”
With a thoughtful look, Chelsea asked, “What if I had a bodyguard? Maybe an ex-soldier who would stay with me until the FBI cracks the case?”
It wasn’t exactly what Alton had in mind, but he saw no way out of it. He had raised the safety concerns himself.
“Sure.” He glanced at Mallory, but she was looking out the window. “Can we wait until Tuesday afternoon to return? That would give me more time with my family.”
“Of course. I already told Mr. Lewis I’d work from here through then anyway.”
Buster wandered up to them, wagging his
A few minutes later, Alton and Chelsea joined them on the porch. Chelsea asked Gail a few details about Alton’s younger years, and Gail provided an overview of the hardships he had overcome to help his family and attend college. Mallory noticed Chelsea patting Alton on the arm sympathetically at times during the narrative.
“It seems like after all the stuff that happened when he was a kid, Alton has been pretty lucky since then,” said Chelsea.
“To some extent, yes,” replied Gail, “but frankly, hard work—especially towards specific goals—is more important than luck. Or, as Alton likes to quote, ‘luck favors the prepared.’”
Kayla walked onto the porch. “Chelsea, a man called for you just now.”
“For me? Did he leave a message?” ask Chelsea.
“No, he said he’d try again later…and that it would be a surprise.”
Mallory and Alton had just enough time to trade worried glances before Chelsea’s cell phone rang.
CHAPTER 21
“Put it on speaker,” said Alton.
Chelsea nodded and answered, “Hello?”
“Chelsea, this is Mr. Lewis. I’m glad I finally got a hold of you. I tried your cell and it went straight to voice mail. Then I tried the land-line number you gave me and got some kid.” The relief Chelsea seemed to feel in recognizing the voice as her manager’s soon gave way to irritation, the reaction an unanticipated weekend call from one’s boss is likely to produce. It was a surprise all right.
“Hi, Mr. Lewis. Yes, the cell reception in the house is hit and miss, but I’m outside now. What’s up?”
“I reviewed your request to take some time off. I’d like to say yes, but our backs are already up against the wall to hit our project deadline. If we lose one of our key programmers for a week or two, I can’t see how we’ll ever make it on time. I’m sorry, but I’ll need you to come back to the office on Monday.”
“Mr. Lewis, I understand what you’re saying, but I’m already four hours away from Alpharetta. Can I work from here for the next week or so? I’m with…some friends.” She smiled at Alton.
“Let me check the project schedule,” replied Lewis. They could hear the clatter of typing on a keyboard. “I’m fine with your remote work arrangement for Monday and Tuesday, but Wednesday is our team roundtable. We’ll be discussing the beta test results. I’ll need you here in the office for that.”
“Okay. Thanks for the extra days, Mr. Lewis,” said Chelsea. “I’ll see you then.”
After she hung up, Alton asked, “Is this really a good idea—going back to work? Doesn’t this put you right back in the path of danger?”
“Assuming I live through this, I still need a job. You either play by Mr. Lewis’s rules, or you don’t play at all—at least not at Kruptos.”
“What’s with the ‘Mr. Lewis’? Since when did we start using formal titles at work?”
“Since Mr. Lewis set his sights on making VP,” said Chelsea with a roll of her eyes.
“This is a bad idea,” said Alton, “but if we’re going to go back to Alpharetta, we’ll at least need to devise a plan to keep you safe until the culprits behind Jay and Louise’s murders are caught.”
With a thoughtful look, Chelsea asked, “What if I had a bodyguard? Maybe an ex-soldier who would stay with me until the FBI cracks the case?”
It wasn’t exactly what Alton had in mind, but he saw no way out of it. He had raised the safety concerns himself.
“Sure.” He glanced at Mallory, but she was looking out the window. “Can we wait until Tuesday afternoon to return? That would give me more time with my family.”
“Of course. I already told Mr. Lewis I’d work from here through then anyway.”
Buster wandered up to them, wagging his
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