“We’ve made some improvements at the factory.” Bob turned toward Red. “How ‘bout Ipersonallygive you a tour?”
Refusing to acknowledge Dobb, Red locked eyes with Brigit across the conference table.
Weasel.
“Another time, Bob.” Colton rolled back his chair.
Marjorie stood. Meeting over. Brigit eyed the portraits one last time. After a brief and somewhat frosty goodbye to Dobb, the Mitus team followed Marjorie down the hall and into her spacious corner office. “Back in two minutes. I need a smoke or I’ll die.” Marjorie snatched the lighter from her desk and left.
Though Colton had his back to the team as he stared out Marjorie’s window, anger billowed off him. Not wanting to further aggravate him, Brigit remained quiet.
Nothing had changed in Marjorie’s office. The familiar tobacco smell hung like an invisible cloud, the cluttered desk had stacks of folders piled high, and the beautiful view of the duck pond brought back many special memories.
Turning to sit at the conference table, her mouth fell open. The back wall was covered with pictures she’d drawn or painted for Mrs. Mic.She saved everything.Brigit swallowed the plum-sized lump in her throat.
Red lifted a framed photo from Marjorie’s desk and turned it around. “Her daughter?”
It was a photo of a beaming six-year-old Eve Francesco, dressed as a warrior princess. Plastic shield in her outstretched hand, while her other hand clasped Marjorie’s. Marjorie had accompanied her mom and dad to the school Halloween parade.Oh no.
“Cute kid.” Colton stared at the photo for several seconds. “Hmm, that’s odd.”
“What?” Brigit stopped breathing.
“I’ve seen that child somewhere. Her eyes are so familiar.”
25
SINFUL PLEASURES
Colton pivoted in Brigit’sdirection, then eyed the photo again. There was something special about that little girl. Brigit spun away and dropped into a chair at Marjorie’s conference table, then grabbed her water bottle and drained it.
“Gotta love a warrior princess!” As Chad sat next to Brigit he glanced at the busy wall. “Hello, that’s a lotta artwork.”
A squawking flock of geese landed on the pond and Colton turned back to stare out the window. Dobb was guilty as hell, but of what, he wasn’t sure. While Dobb was kowtowing to Montgomery, that didn’t mean he’d bared his soul and divulged company secrets. Or did it? With any luck, their string of afternoon meetings would yield answers.No one has more skin in the game than I do and no one will stop me from seeing his project through to fruition.
“Colton—” Brigit cleared her throat. “What’s our strategy to ensure the executive team votes down the merger?
“Great question,” Marjorie said as she shut the door. “I’ve scheduled in-person meetings or video conferences with each executive and board member. Let’s find that damn traitor.”
Marjorie had lunch delivered and immediately following they met with Francesco leadership, one at a time. Five hours later, the last person filed out. “That was exhausting.” Marjorie shut her office door.
Colton closed his laptop and leaned back. “They could be telling us what we want to hear while quietly campaigning for this merger.”
“A few seemed uncomfortable, but that didn’t mean they were lying,” Chad said.
“Colton, you alone can be intimidating,” Dez said. “The sheer number of us might have made some folks nervous.”
“Not if they’ve nothing to hide,” Colton said.
“That’s what worries me.” Marjorie pulled a cigarette from her desk drawer and tucked it behind her ear. “I don’t know who to trust at this point.”
Colton was beat, but not beaten down. “Marjorie, you did a great job pulling this together.”
“This baby means everything to me and I’ll defend her to my death.” Marjorie walked toward her door.
“Speaking of babies.” Red lifted the photo. “Is she yours?”
“No. That little girl is Eve Francesco, the only child of Nick and Sammy, but I loved her like she was my own. We spent Fridays after school together. I promised her mom I’d talk shop.” Marjorie snickered. “What child wants to learn about the day-to-day operations of a wireless and mobile products company? Don’t get me wrong. They adored their daughter, but they were obsessed about indoctrinating her into the business when she was a wee little thing. So I’d steal her away for creative time.” She gestured to the artwork.
