Page 23 of Arrivals & Assets

“I do. We don’t want neighbors holding up permits, but flour is bad news. Not rushing was the appropriate response.”

“And if nothing else comes up in a timely fashion… or if whatever does come up is equally bad?”

“Go with your gut. Choose your people. Equipment is replaceable; good people… not so much. You’re building a talent pipeline out there, and I’d rather stare down the bill for a new server rack than lose a brilliant mind because they were stuck in a soul-sucking building.”

I chuckled. “I knew there was a reason I liked working for you.”

Linden laughed. “That and the pay.”

I echoed the laugh. “The pay does help.”

“So…” he said as he got himself under control again. “What’s next on your agenda?”

“Connie and I are meeting on Wednesday to look at the housing options so we can get a master lease agreement for the intern apartments finalized. She said it was a bit easier since the city has been working on housing for the past few years. It’s still tight, but there are a couple of new builds just coming onto the market that we can get into.”

“Fantastic, and until then?”

“Hoping to hear about more office space options. I’ll probably take another couple trips to the permitting department so that I know exactly what I need as soon as I sign a lease. I’m meeting with Alan later this week to start looking over potential businesses for our interns to work with.”

I paused. “And I’m expecting a list of recommended architectural firms from Connie as well. I’ll cross-reference that with information I got from the permitting office.”

“Sounds good. And now that you’re in a sort of holding pattern, I’m authorizing up to eight paid hours per week to look for your own housing. Whether you take a day because you have no other appointments or spread it out over the week, I don’t care. Let me know if you plan to take a full day, so I know not to call, but that’s my only request on that.”

“Really?”

He nodded. “We’d have given you several days outright if it weren’t for the fact that we needed you to get the ball rolling.”

“Thanks. It’ll help.”

“You’re welcome. Now, unless you have anything else to report, I think we’re good.”

“I shook my head. No. I think we’re good.’

“Great. Keep me updated.”

“I will.”

“Goodbye.”

“Bye.”

The screen switched to the software logo as he ended the call, and I slumped into the hotel chair.

He hadn’t said it, but I could tell that Linden had been looking for better news regarding a building. But he also knew that sometimes you had to give things a bit more time.

I sighed and tried to decide what I wanted to do that afternoon. Part of me was tempted to start looking for an apartment or house to rent. Another insisted I should go to City Hall and look at the fiber maps so I had a better idea of how close things were if another building was available.

I reached for my phone. I’d ask Connie if she had any residential realtor suggestions.

I blinked when it rang, and her name appeared on screen.

“Dylan,” I answered.

“Hey,” she started, a nervous tone to her voice. “Do you have time this afternoon?”

“Yes. Why?”

“I just got word from a broker at another agency. He’s got a building that’s just the size you’re looking for. Prime location,and it’ll probably go fast once it hits public listings. Can you meet me there around a quarter-to-three?”