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Thanks, Janie, I thought sarcastically. The wink she shot my way made me shake my head. “If that’s what it takes, I’m on board,” I said. “Pun intended, I suppose.” That got a laugh from Kara.
“Okay then, we’ll have legal draw up a contract and have it to you by the end of the day,” Kyle said to Cole and Kara, and we all stood up. I figured I’d have to put in at least ten minutes of chit-chat with my new travel buddies before it was polite to leave, but Kyle pulled me to the side.
“Thanks for stepping up. I know I didn’t clear this idea with you first, but we really need to take control of our image. Thornhill is telling anyone who will listen that I removed him as CFO to cover up an embezzlement scheme and not because he couldn’t keep his hands off his female associates. It’s total bullshit, and I’ve kept it out of the press so far, but an article is going to press next month. We’ve already unraveled some of his lies, but I’ve hired a third-party firm to comb through our financials and get ahead of what’s coming. In the meantime, I don’t want it to frame the narrative for our brand.”
I nodded in complete understanding.
“I’ve known you a long time, J.P. My father said you were the best person to have shaping the image of his company. So I’m letting you know what the stakes are for this launch, and I’m trusting you will keep all of this between us.”
“Of course, Kyle,” I said.
“Why don’t you see if Kara and Cole are available for lunch. It would be good to get to know each other a little bit before you’re stuck together for two weeks.”
“Yeah, sure.”
“And Janie let me know about this morning. Sorry.”
I shrugged. “It happens.”
“Maybe you’ll have some fun on the trip. These two bring the party with them wherever they go.” He held out his hand for a shake goodbye. “Now, I’ve got to run. One of the teens in my foundation was jumped on the way to school. He just got out of surgery. Poor kid’s got no one. He called me.”
“And you picked up.”
“Of course, I did,” Kyle said. “When someone needs your help, you give it.”
I smiled at him. “You make it sound so simple.”
Kyle smiled with a shrug, heading out of the door. “It is.”
