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Jessica nodded.
“I’m the one who’s supposed to write up the papers,” he confessed.
She nodded. “I know. I’m the one who is supposed to assist you.”
“Assist me?” Brian asked, feeling like the world was about to change again. When he saw Jessica’s eyebrow raised and a small smile part her bow shaped lips, he knew his gut was right.
“I take it no one has explained how the year end reports are done?”
“I assume there is some software and that’s what you’ll help me with. I’m good with numbers,” Brian said, trying to lighten what was becoming an ominous mood.
“Well, I hope you’re good with people. You see, the VPs have a special arrangement with Butler. They were allowed to relocate to a small town. They come into the office sometimes but most of the time they live in Peace.”
“You mean they are quiet?” Brian asked.
Jessica laughed. “No, I mean they live in a town called Peace. They agreed to do their work and come in for meetings, but this was their concession, the town of Peace. Every year we go to the town to get their parts of the financials for their division. Mr. Middleton talks with them and does the strategy for next year. He used to say it was his work vacation.”
Brian’s mouth fell open.
“Don’t do that, it’s not attractive, even on you,” Jessica said matter of factly.
“Does Ms. Prince know this?”
“Yes she does, as it’s all expensed to her account.”
“How long does this take?”
“Oh, that depends on the VPs and Mr. Middleton. If it’s any consolation, the longest it’s been is two weeks.”
“Two weeks, to pick up paper? And where is Peace, anyway?”
“It’s on the coast in a small fishing kind of place. It’s like time passed it by. The locals fish and crab for a living.”
“Okay, let’s make a deal. I’ll let you lead on getting the documents. We both put our name on the final work, deal?” Brian asked holding his hand out.
“You’d do that?”
“You deserve it and besides, I’m going to need all the help I can get. I’m a carnivore. Fish is for seals and birds,” Brian said.
Grabbing his hand, Jessica gave him a long look.
“I could go and do the work and come back if you really don’t like fish,” Jessica suggested.
Brian shook his head.
“No doll, it’s going to be just the two of us,” he said.
Chapter Two
Brian Cholan couldn’t wait for Jessica to arrive.
He had a last-minute meeting with Ms. Prince, so he told Jessica to go ahead of him to make introductions to the board members. Little did he know that the meeting would be so short. Thinking he could get ahead of schedule; he arrived in Peace on the Florida coast four hours ago. When he arrived, he found out that there had been some changes in the little town of Peace. A category four hurricane had dropped in and left its mark. That was what brought him to his current establishment called the Shell by the locals. Brian could confirm that the name was appropriate.
Brian found himself at the Shell, unsure of Jessica’s arrival. There was always the possibility she wouldn’t come. He heard a car outside and waited as his fears were laid to rest. He knew it was Jessica. Most of the locals walked to the Shell. A cool breeze came through the door, and someone had a radio playing music. It seemed it was the custom that people brought a cooler of water and soda to the Shell. As a result, in the middle of the room were three coolers, each labeled: ‘water’, ‘cola’ and ‘energy drink’.
Through the non-existent door he watched Jessica and a friend get out of a car. Brian had to stop and take another look to make sure he was seeing Jessica Tingles on the coast in a business skirt, white shirt and hair pinned up in a tight bun. Then he saw a taller woman next to her. Jessica’s friend looked as if she were an Amazon, and she carried two large suitcases behind her.
Brian didn’t know how this was going to play out, so he waited. He had been here a couple of hours and there wasn’t a mean soul in the room but not a lot of helpful ones, either. The afternoon air was muggy and spared no one if they thought they could do any type of work in this weather.
