Discovery

by Douglas E Roff

  Hannah believed James when he spoke about how much Edward told him she meant to him, his family and their new Project. But Edward was a thorny rose and one needed to proceed with great caution when accepting his generosity. Nothing was gratuitous with him; everything had a point or an expected outcome and return. Often Edward was the only person who knew what was going on in his big brain. And the phrase “need to know”, though never explicitly spoken, was in fact the only fixed rule she knew he had. His long-term discipline was amazing.

  Edward was a piece of work and she was mildly pleased to no longer reside in his corner of the solar system. But the gravitational effect of his personality, intelligence and persona was undiminished by distance; she and Vera had been attracted to the bright shiny object in the sky that was Edward St. James. In for a penny, in for a pound as the Brits say. You either took all of Edward or nothing at all. With him, there were no half measures, half loaves or glasses half full.

  Hannah hoped that she had made the correct choice in careers. After all, she was no longer alone. Her girlfriend was sweet, and Hannah loved her with all her heart, but she worried that Vera didn’t fully understand the nature of Hannah’s work, or worse, the nature of Edward. If so, Vera couldn’t possibly apprehend her personal level of possible danger nor Hannah’s emotional burden caring for Vera’s personal safety.

  Hannah tried to explain on many occasions but each time she brought it up Vera quickly changed the subject. “If you are in danger then by your side is where I wish to be. I love you and we will face this danger together. You will love me for this. End of discussion.”

  Vera thought she was being noble in expressing this sentiment. But if the bullets flew, as Hannah knew they might, a great deal more than nobility would be required. And Vera wasn’t geared to that life in any meaningful way. Vera would have extra, around the clock protection either close by or at a discrete distance, even if Hannah had to pay for it herself.

  As they reached the ground floor of their new apartment building in Knightsbridge, Hannah’s worries began to multiply and compound. Vera was relatively safe in Portland in her enormous townhome, even with Hannah in her life. But here in London, a city they both had visited many times in their lives and loved, she felt incapable of recognizing potential danger. If she couldn’t, then how could Hannah justify putting Vera in harm’s way? She would wait this out a while and see how things developed. If she never was able to establish a comfort zone, she would have to pull the plug on Vera and send her home. In tears if she had to, if it meant Vera would be safe.

  Vera had already heard this mantra from Hannah once before during a tense morning of pillow talk. It angered Vera that Hannah, like her ex-husband and father before him, treated her like a child incapable of making her own decisions. She told Hannah that if she tried sending her away, or anything like it, she would simply move out and into her own place without any security. Vera assumed that her simple response was all that was required, and Hannah could do nothing about it.

  She was wrong.

  In that event, Hannah’s private and unstated response would be to have Vera physically removed and expelled from Great Britain without explanation. While she had no clout to arrange that, Edward did. Hannah loved Vera enough to break her heart and destroy their relationship if it meant keeping her safe and alive. Hannah steeled herself against the thought of losing Vera and hoped it would never come to that.

  Chapter 26

  Edward called Hannah the next day to discuss the upcoming rounds of interviews he expected her to conduct in Edinburgh for the five open positions, plus the first and second alternate positions he required her to fill. He carefully reviewed each position’s profile, job description and job requirements, who the candidates were and supplied full biographical information and relevant work experience for each. He also included his relative ranking of each candidate along with his own assessment derived from both interviews in New York City as well as from detailed and fully vetted resumes and recommendations from former employers. He assured Hannah he had worked with each in the past and each had his full confidence, at least as to skill and experience.

  Edward had labored on this list of potential candidates for many months and had begun with a pool for each position with fifteen names for each of the five position categories. From that list, he narrowed his field to ten names and, finally, to five. He asked Hannah to review the standardized assessments and collateral information on all five individuals for each position and prepare her own ranking. He then concluded by informing her that initially the top three candidates for each position would be flown to Scotland to meet her for their interview. She could fly up, or take the train, but in no event was she to discuss where she lived in London or any additional details about him, the family or the project. Each had signed confidentiality agreements beforehand but that would offer little protection if word leaked.

  “Your job is to choose the candidates you personally prefer, together with a number one and number two alternate. A total of fifteen candidates will be hired from a pool of twenty-five. The ten alternates will be involved on a standby or ‘as needed’ basis but each alternate will and must have full and equal access to all Project data required for their position, will meet with you occasionally and interact with First Team frequently. Each alternate must be capable of moving up, stepping in and taking over on a moment’s notice. Based on the specific and unique needs each potential assignment carries, you may wish to test out differing personnel combinations for superior teamwork and efficiency.”

  Hannah asked, “Can you override any of my decisions? Will you?”

  “No and no. Your hiring decisions, placement of personnel within team structures and rankings as well as the decision regarding when and where to call in additional support are totally up to you. I will provide you with any information I have on who gets on with who or who doesn’t, assuming I know of course. Some of the candidates prefer working in teams; to most it doesn’t matter. If a team is to be split up due to relative rankings, you need to determine whether they are viable as separated individuals. That is also completely up to you.”

  “Can I re-rank initial rankings after working with each of the top three candidates? I don’t want to rank based on just one interview and a background info. I’d rather watch the dynamics of how each of the candidates interact with the others in the real world before choosing the final makeup of each team.”

  “Yes, of course. And you should consider re-ranking teams for each new assignment based on specific skills required for the job. How you run your organization is essentially up to you, based on the circumstances as then existing. Bear in mind that each of the candidates for each position is extremely well qualified and each has been thoroughly vetted. So even if your choices were at the bottom of the three candidates for all five positions in my rankings, I would still have no concerns. Try to focus on which personalities work best in a grouping or team, which would work best in any grouping or team and, most importantly, which candidates you like best and trust the most. Conversely, quickly eliminate any candidate who you think will not be effective either for character or personality reasons or who, for whatever reason you, just don’t like or trust them.”

  “Any women included?”

  “About evenly split as a pool of candidates. For drivers and security, I favor the men; for all other positions I favor the women. However, there are both men and women available, capable and qualified at each position within the top five candidates. Every candidate for every position has a military, paramilitary or security service background. They’re almost all lethal.”

  “Except me.”

  “That’s right, except you and Vera.”

  “Vera has nothing to do with this. You said she wouldn’t be in any danger.”

  “I said she wouldn’t be in any more danger than you just walking around London. Since there will always be some degree of danger for you, there may also be some danger for Vera. Unles
s you lock her up in your rooms and have someone watch her day and night. Even then…”

  Edward paused, then continued, “But I assess the overall danger for you and Vera in London to be very low. But draw your drapes; eyes will be probably on you always, day or night.”

  “Voyeurs, paparazzi or friendly minders?”

  “You’re a guest in a friendly foreign nation. I can’t expect them to be indifferent to your presence in the greatest city in the world.” He paused. “I’m not saying I think the Brits will send a detachment to watch your back, but I suspect they may make contact and snoop around. If they do, refer them back to me. It would be a breach of protocol but then it is their country. We would probably do the same back here.”

  “I’m sure we would.”

  “Then read what I sent you and let’s chat when you’re ready to discuss the timing and scheduling of interviews. I’ve told all the candidates they should be prepared to travel abroad to an exotic location in the next two weeks. I’d say we should talk again in a week. Work for you?”

  “Peachy. And one more thing.”

  “Yes?”

  “You must promise me that if this gets dicey that you will get Vera out of London on short notice, whether she wants to leave or not. I need your word on that. Your promise.”

  “If the safety of a team is not compromised, I’ll do my best. Team comes first in deploying assets, then Vera. I’m not sure I can absolutely promise to do that. Besides, she’s a US citizen and rich. I doubt the Brits would make her leave if she wants to stay. Even so, she could always return. You see the dilemma?”

  “I asked you for your word and a promise on an important matter of great concern to me. I didn’t ask for excuses or a legal brief on Vera’s rights. Yes or no? Answer me.”

  “Yes, then. If that’s what you want, I can have her expelled and barred from re-entry. Not forever, but for a time.” Edward hesitated, then asked, “Everything blissful in heaven?”

  “Couldn’t be better. I love her completely and the sex is fantastic. Just thinking ahead. A girl should always be prepared. You know that.”

  Edward barely took notice and smoothly said, “I do. Anything else?”

  “Just the topic we have been avoiding like the plague. How’s Adam?”

  Edward laughed. “He’s rebounded from misery. He met someone. Thinks he’s in love.”

  “I’m happy for him. What’s she like? Is she nice?”

  Edward deflected. “I’d say if Adam is 1, then she’s 1a. Two peas in a pod.” Edward hesitated, then said, “And you’ll be seeing him this summer. With his significant other. She’s now part of this Project. And equally important.”

  “Sounds like you’re more uncomfortable with the idea than me?”

  “I am. And I’m not alone.”

  “Is she technical, physical or eye candy?”

  “She’s smart, proficient and lethal. Eye candy? You be the judge.”

  “At least send me a pic. Forewarned is forearmed.”

  “What and spoil the fun? Not a chance. I’m planning to be there too.”

  “Why?”

  “So, she doesn’t get any ideas.”

  “Like?”

  “Oh, I don’t know. Disappearing you maybe?”

  “I’ll keep that in mind. She’s the jealous type, is she?”

  “No. More like confident, possessive and unforgiving. Maybe a little crazy. Did I mention lethal?”

  “You did. Thanks.”

  ***

  Two weeks later the interviews started in Scotland, slightly behind schedule. Hannah’s choices and rankings weren’t dramatically different from Edward’s, so the top fifteen candidates were relatively easy to pick out. All that remained were the personal assessments by Hannah and if all candidates interviewed did even middling well, they would all remain as initially ranked.

  After careful consideration, Hannah chose a woman named Nocera “Noki” Lee as her personal assistant and second in command. She would have direct responsibility to assist Hannah in dealing with planning field tasks and coordinating anthropology issues. She would have a secondary role with Hannah’s personal security team.

  Noki was of Chinese extraction, had no siblings and was raised in a small Mexican-American community on the border, not far from El Paso, Texas. Her father and mother had been immigrants to America, although Noki had been born in LA where her parents first landed and lived. Her father was employed as an executive by a large tool and die maker and had been transferred to Texas a few years after she was born.

  College for Noki was at UC Berkeley in the Bay area, after which she then she enlisted in the US Army at graduation. Contrary to the false American narrative and mythology about Chinese women, she was neither petite nor submissive in any way. She spoke fluent Cantonese and was as comfortable in fatigues as she was in evening wear. She was edgy in the way that Hannah admired in other women and was confidant in her skills, intellect and consistently even demeanor. Noki didn’t seem all that excitable or even very outgoing, a key job requirement, but she never seemed ill at ease and could hold up her end of the conversation on a long list of topics.

  Hannah had been impressed with everything about Noki in her lengthy and wide-ranging interview. She was articulate, funny and at ease conversationally. Had she not shown some reserve, Hannah would’ve guessed her to be a bit of a chatterbox. She was not.

  At the end of the interview, Hannah asked if Noki would mind having dinner with her and her friend Vera later that evening. Noki would not only be living in the same building as Hannah and Vera but also in the adjacent and connected suite of rooms. And while getting along with Vera was not nor could it ever be a job requirement, in Hannah’s mind it would be impractical if the two women didn’t get along. No other job was as intimate as hers would be, with long hours of daily contact, significant travel and demanding business engagements and obligations.

  Noki would never, as Edward had impressed upon her in their interview, be far from Hannah’s side, without his personal and specific permission. Noki would likely be Hannah’s first line of personal security and she would be around Hannah virtually every day, 24/7. That meant she would be around Vera every day too and would see her boss and her girlfriend together in normal everyday family situations. If Noki had any misgivings about the arrangement, she kept them to herself.

  Hannah thought that Noki being comfortable around Vera, while at the same time being indifferent to their living arrangements, would be a plus.

  “I have you slotted in at the number one ranking overall and for this position. That also means you’re also slotted in as my number two in line of authority, behind me. Edward St. James, who you met in New York, was very favorably impressed with you and your qualifications. I’m prepared to offer you this position, beginning immediately, assuming you still want the job.”

  “I do. I very much do. I’m happy to accept and I look forward to working with you. And Edward, too, eventually.”

  “If the opportunity arises. Edward won’t be involved on our day-to-day but as my head assistant, you’ll have ample contact. Did you know Edward before this project?”

  “I did. I’ve worked with him before on … a variety of matters.”

  “Anything you can discuss? For background?”

  “You’d have to ask him. But he is … a great man, in my estimation. Keeps his word, cares about his people and rewards success and the ability to do your job. I was a lowly staffer when we met. I was his number two when we were done. I owe him a lot. That includes my life.”

  “Good. Then we’ll meet you in the lobby of our hotel at seven. I’ve made reservations for seven thirty, and dress is formal. And one more thing.”

  “Yes?”

  “Did Edward mention my living arrangements in London?”

  “He did.”

  “Any questions?”

  “Nope. None of my concern.”

  “You’ll be around us eve
ry day, so it’s important to me that we all get along. Vera is a sweetheart, but she’s been pampered all her life. Indifference is all I ask, nothing more.”

  “We’re all just girls under the jockstraps. We’ll be besties in no time.”

  “I’ll bring your contract with me tonight. You’re aware that it’s ‘take it or leave it’, right? Sign or don’t sign. Nothing is negotiable.”

  “As I said, I’ve worked with Edward before. I’m aware of his peculiarities. We talked about the contract in New York and I’m good with whatever he decided. He’s always been fair with me.”

  “You trust him then?”

  “Completely. With my life.”

  “Good to hear. See you at seven then. Don’t be late.”

  Chapter 27

  Dinner with Vera had gone well the night before and the ladies talked about everything from fashion to work to men – and by “men”, they meant Adam. Vera had met Adam a few times in Portland and was aware of the Adam-Edward-Hannah dynamic that included both Hannah’s family in Seattle and Adam’s family in Barrows Bay. Vera wasn’t, per se, the jealous type but ex-couples working together, she mused, could present unique problems and challenges. Vera hoped her lover was over Adam as she had so often expressed but then what did that really mean anyway? Nothing. She would have to see them in the same room together to experience first-hand if Hannah still keened a spark.

  Vera hoped she didn’t, but then … the heart wants what the heart wants. Vera knew that all too well. Vera would be outwardly strong and confident up until they all met this summer, then she would watch and observe carefully. Observe all those tiny clues, that feathery touch, a lingering kiss, a flirty smile. Vera knew them all and could translate Hannah’s behavior with precision.