The office door opened and Cece rocketed out of her chair. Ruth Lizzard stepped out of her office in a whoosh of red, the Arnold’s coffee cup in her manicured hand. Alexandra recognized her short, coiffed, platinum blonde hair from the cafe. Her chilly expression sent a shiver down Alexandra’s spine. “Ruth Lizzard.” She extended herhand.
Grateful she’d worn a couture suit herself, Alexandra smiled. “Alexandra Reed. Thank you for seeingme.”
“You have ten minutes.” Then, she flicked a finger in Cece’s direction. “Hold my calls, unless Ray needs me.” With that, she strutted back into heroffice.
Alexandra had done her homework. Ray Chavez was No Man’s Land’s wealthy, handsome and marriedCEO.
Ruth sank into her executive seat and clicked her long red fingernails on the shiny desktop. After explaining the reason for her visit, Alexandra tapped the record app and laid her phone on thedesktop.
“What news station are you withagain?”
“Wilde Innovations wonDC’s Brightest Tech Starcompetition on News Fifteen. Mr. Berry credited you with Wilde’ssuccess.”
“I designed a system where nothing failed,” she said with a smug smile. “I boasted a perfect runrate.”
“What does thatmean?”
“No downed vehicles. No rogue aircraft. ‘Precision. Perfection. Pinnacle.’ That was my motto and I did one hell of ajob.”
“Why did youleave?”
Anger flashed in her eyes. “I’d outgrown Wilde. Time for biggerchallenges.”
“To date, what is your greatest professionalaccomplishment?”
“I’ve become indispensible to Ray—Mr. Chavez. The CEO and I collaborate daily. His leadership style is invigorating and exciting.” She paused long enough to hint at a smile. “Because of my efforts, we’re on target to win a phenomenal opportunity with a very powerful three-letter agency. Ray is beyond excited.” She exuded a radiantglow.
“The federal space is a big departure from the consumer market NML dominates. How did you achieve that in the six short weeks you’ve been onboard?”
Ruth’s perfectly tweezed eyebrow arched. “You did yourhomework.”
“Absolutely.”C’mon, say something.“Can you expand onthat?”
“I push the envelope. I’m spearheading a project to launch a flock of small unmanned craft. Under my direction, NML will become the drone leader across allmarkets.”
“Congratulations,” Alexandra said, stroking Ruth’s already massive ego. “Doesn’t the creation of a new drone take years todevelop?”
The executive hesitated. “I snatch shortcuts whereverpossible.”
“With this upcoming success, will you be recruiting members from your team atWilde?”
“No reason. I’ve got a great grouphere.”
Larry’s going to get dumped for a bigger, richerfish.
“Let’s switchtracks—”
Knock, knock,knock.
“Comein.”
Cece stood in the doorway, her cheeks the color of ripened tomatoes. “Excuse me, Ruth. Mr. Chavez has an urgentquestion.”
The company’s CEO stood behind the short assistant. “Ruth, I needyou.”
Lizzard shot out of her seat. “Of course, Ray.” Without so much as a backwards glance, she hurried out, though Alexandra believed she was rushingtowardher next conquest. This man-eater devoured them likecandy.
After Ruth barked an order at Cece, the assistant scurried down the hallway. Ray strode in the opposite direction with Ruth heeling at hisside.
