"You don't seriously think Norwell's going to assign you this account," he goaded as they approached the conference room.
"Why shouldn't he?" Abby refused to let him see how nervous she felt. "I've got just as much of a chance as you."
"Come on, you know you don't have the experience to handle something this big."
She kept walking. He was trying to shake her confidence. If she showed any doubt, he'd know he had her, that she was vulnerable. She refused to give him that edge.
"Norwell wouldn't consider me if he thought that, so why don't we let him decide?"
"Fine by me." Billings's smirk was smug, like he'd already bagged the account. Maybe he had. Maybe he'd gone behind her back to sway Norwell's thinking.
Abby stopped outside the conference room. She'd mentally prepared. She had watched the video of the press conference over and over again, until Gage's face was imprinted on her brain. She knew the sound of his voice, how he tilted his head when he listened, the sensuous curve of his mouth when he smiled. She had drowned herself with him until she was bloated with familiarity. Nothing about him could surprise or affect her now.
She reached for the door handle. Billings grasped her wrist and leaned forward, eyes mocking. He enjoyed his cruelties, she thought.
"I've heard Faraday's brutal." His mouth hovered near her ear. "If he senses a weakness, he'll go for the jugular."
Abby's breathing slowed. Had Gage really become as ruthless as his reputation?
Billings leaned closer. Abby felt his breath against the side of her face and realized just how close. She jerked back, wrenching her wrist from his grip.
"Stay out of my space, Billings," she warned coolly, and stabbed him with an icy glare.
"Yeah, everyone knows you don't like men in your space."
Unable to leash the quick spurt of fury that gripped her, Abby lashed out. "What the hell's that supposed to mean?"
Billings shrugged. "Guess you'll just have to wonder."
Oh, she knew. It didn't take much to guess what lies Dick had been spreading. Their failure of a marriage wasn't her fault, though. She wasn't the one with the problem. She wasn't!
Abby realized Billings had purposefully changed maneuvers. Not getting the anticipated reaction by attacking her competence, he'd aimed for her Achilles heel. Unfortunately, he'd struck pay dirt. Even knowing his tactic, it stung.
She had to rein in her emotions if she was going to get through this meeting. Maybe Rachael was right and Gage wouldn't recognize her. She'd just been some kid from the shore who used to go into his uncle's taffy shop one summer forever ago. It was highly probable he wouldn't recognize her. She didn't even recognize herself from pictures back then, and she knew it was her.
"We better not keep the big, bad Faraday waiting." Billings pushed down on the handle. "He might bite."
He opened the door before she could respond. Norwell sat at the conference table with their guest. Gage looked up as she and Billings entered the room. His keen gaze landed squarely on Abby, and she went blank.
~~~
"And this is Abigail Carpenter." Norwell wrapped up the introductions.
"Ms. Carpenter," Gage acknowledged. He extended his hand, giving no indication he recognized her. Abby tried to still the trembling in her fingers. What was she afraid of…the big, bad wolf? That was Billings's ploy. If she gave in to his intimidation, she'd be letting him win.
Still standing, she reached across the conference table and took Gage's hand. It was large, almost twice the size of hers, and when she clasped it, she had to force herself not to overreact to the contact. Relax, the voice in her head demanded. This is old energy—nothing more. She had become a master at masking her emotions when faced with the scandal of Dick's affairs. She would give nothing away now.
"Mr. Faraday." She smiled, nothing overdone, no teeth. "We're thrilled you agreed to meet with us. There isn't a marketing firm in the city that wouldn't want this project. But," she continued on a lighter note, "I hope after this morning you'll believe, as we do, that The Norwell Group is the best."
Gage's lips twitched. He gave an abbreviated nod then sat back down. Abby did the same, folding her hands on the table in front of her.
"Why don't you begin by telling us what we can do for you," Norwell said to Gage.
"Your firm has had almost a week to come up with the answer to that question," Gage replied smoothly. He leaned back and glanced at his watch. "I'd rather have you tell me why I should hire you."
Norwell cleared his throat and looked at Abby. "You can start."
Abby flinched, caught off guard. This wasn't the way they'd planned it. Norwell was supposed to lead off, pave the way, as he'd said. Acting on instinct, she clicked on her laptop.
"We recognize you have tremendous demands on your time, Mr. Faraday." He'd already made it clear he didn't like to waste it. "So I'll get right into what we've prepared and how we can help you. You can follow along on paper if you'd like," she added, handing everyone a hard copy of the presentation.
Technically, there had been nothing wrong with her presentation, but once over, Abby thought it should have been titled The Harold Billings Show. Every time she started to answer a question, Billings cut her off, stealing her thunder and worse, making her look incompetent. She wanted to hit him over the head with her laptop. Take them megabytes, you officious creep.
She couldn't very well cause a scene in front of a prospective client, though. Rather than stew, or reduce her beautifully prepared copy of the presentation to a pile of spitballs and launch them across the table at Billings, Abby used the time to corral her conflicted emotions.
She'd convinced herself anything she once felt for Gage had been put to rest years ago. But as she sat there trying to appear serene, old feelings flooded her, springing back to life as if they'd only been lying dormant, waiting for his return. She didn't want to feel anything for him…for any man. She didn't want that pain, not after Dick, not ever again.
How could Gage still make her feel like someone had hijacked a 747 and was attempting to land it in her stomach? Was it only because he'd been a childhood dream that never came true? Well, she wasn't a child anymore, and life had taught her just how quickly dreams could turn into nightmares. She'd learned too much to succumb to the emotional residue of her past.
Straightening in her chair, she skimmed her notes for some salient point Billings would probably claim as his own. If Gage was seriously considering their firm, she'd have to say or do something before he left to convince him she wasn't a vacuum brain. Her gaze drifted across the table and connected with a penetrating grey one.
He was watching her.
~~~
He watched her. Gage had the feeling they'd met before, but for the life of him he couldn't imagine where.
When she looked up at him from her file he was struck again by her eyes. He'd never seen any so green. Yet, they were the very thing triggering the sensation they'd met somewhere.
She averted her gaze in favor of her notes. He made her nervous. Gage was used to it. He made a lot of people nervous.
He continued to study her covertly. She wore her honey blond hair pulled back in a sleek French twist exposing an elegantly slender neck. At first glance he'd put her age around midthirties, not far from his own, but after closer consideration, he adjusted it down several years. He chalked it up to her manner, almost controlled. It misled.
Norwell leaned forward and put his forearms on the table. "If you decide to go with our firm, Carpenter or Billings will handle the account."
Gage nodded.
"Of course," Norwell assured him, "I'd be at your disposal as well, but these are my two best account managers."
Carpenter's gaze darted to Norwell as if his comment surprised her. Her perfect poise seemed to waiver a moment, then, as if realizing it, her calm demeanor slid back into place like a well-fitting glove.
All was not well in Oz. Gage had picked up on Norwell and Billings's sexist attitu
des early in the meeting. He wondered if they were oblivious to their behavior toward Carpenter or if they just didn't care how she felt.
Perhaps he liked to think he was better than that, or maybe it was because his modest roots had sometimes made him an outcast growing up. Whatever the case, he didn't approve of the way they treated her. He knew he had a reputation for being cold and aloof, difficult to work for, but he was fair and a good judge of talent, no matter how it came wrapped.
Billings talked a good game, but Carpenter had been the one with most of the facts, and Gage suspected today wasn't the first time the guy had used her work as a springboard to look good.
"I'll review your proposal and give you my decision in a couple of days." He looked at Norwell. "In the meantime, I want my legal group in Chicago to review your contract."
"No problem." Billings jumped in. "I'll send it to them right after the meeting. If you think of anything else you need, just give me a call. I'll be in all afternoon."
"Thank you," Gage said with a cursory glance. "Will you be available as well, Ms. Carpenter?"
"I'll be out with clients most of the afternoon." She glanced at Billings. Gage saw something flicker in her eyes just before she looked back at him. "I check my calls between meetings, though, and I'll be in the office most of the day tomorrow."
Norwell cleared his throat. "If you choose our firm, you'll have a team at your disposal, Mr. Faraday. There'll always be someone available to you."
"My workday often runs well into the night. What if I need to reach you outside normal office hours?" Gage asked, curious how far Norwell would bend to get his business.
"We'd like to manage your account. If it would seal a deal, I'll put it in your contract that you'll have twenty-four hour access to us."
Gage almost smiled. "I'll take your accommodating nature into consideration." He stood up and reached past Billings to shake Norwell's hand.
"We look forward to hearing from you," Norwell said, and without looking at the woman, added, "Ms. Carpenter will escort you to the main lobby."
Billings handed Gage his business card. "If you think of anything at all, don't hesitate to call me."
Gage nodded. "Thank you." He held back to let Norwell and Billings proceed them out. Carpenter came around the table, and he followed her from the room.
"Do you have a card?" he asked her.
"Yes, of course." She reached into her portfolio, pulled one out, and handed it to him.
"Thanks." He flicked the card once between his thumb and forefinger then slipped it into his shirt pocket. Who the hell did she remind him of?
~~~
He hadn't recognized her. She was relieved. It was foolish, but Abby couldn't help feeling a little disappointed as well. To use one of Rachael's expressions, she'd been as forgettable as yesterday's news.
"How long have you been working for Norwell?" Gage asked.
"Four years."
"You must have a lot of patience."
She shot him a glance. He didn't know the half of it, but she couldn't tell him that.
"Norwell can be demanding, but he knows the business, and the experience I've gained working here has been invaluable." She might be furious with Billings for making her look stupid, but she'd never say anything to put the firm in a bad light.
"I admire your loyalty." Gage gave her a wry smile.
Abby held her tongue. Apparently he'd picked up more in their meeting than she'd realized. Rather than say anything that might influence his decision to choose another firm, she decided to change the topic.
They had reached the elevators, and Abby pressed the call button. "You seem to have the mayor's full support for River Place One." She used the name he had in the meeting.
"Really?" He raised an interested brow. "How did you reach that conclusion?"
"I could tell by the way the two of you interacted at the press conference."
"You were there?"
"No. I have a good friend who works at a local television station. She streamed me a video copy of the conference."
"So you're enterprising as well." The elevator arrived and Gage extended his arm for her to precede him on.
She smiled. "I thought it might give me some insight into your vision for the project."
"You seem very thorough, Ms. Carpenter. By the way, that was a nice presentation you put together." He glanced sideways and arched his brows. "It was yours, wasn't it?"
"We all contributed." How did he know? Harold had stolen the show, and she'd been sure Gage thought she didn't have an intelligent thought in her head.
"If my guess is correct, I'd say you're responsible for most of it." He glanced down at her again and she looked away. "Yeah," he said with a chuckle, "I thought so."
"Thank you for meeting with us, Mr. Faraday," she said when they reached the lobby a few minutes later.
Gage shook her hand. "The pleasure was mine. I'll be in touch."
She watched him walk across the lobby. He turned and glanced back when he reached the front door, as if he knew she'd still be standing there. He flashed a warm smile, not unlike those she'd seen him use to charm the crowd at the press conference, and then he exited the building.
Now she would wait.
~~~
Abby bought a hot dog from a street vendor on her way back to the office that evening after her last meeting. She was in no rush as she walked the five blocks from the train stop.
She turned the corner, heading toward City Hall, and glanced up at the clock on the Billy Penn Tower. Five minutes to seven. She wouldn't work too late. Just long enough to catch up on some paperwork.
If Rachael knew, she'd start in with another lecture about using work to avoid rejoining the living. Abby frowned. That's not what she was doing. She had a goal. If it meant working hard for a few years, there'd be a pay off at the other end.
When she reached her building, she pulled the ID badge out of her purse and swiped it through the card reader.
"Hey, Gary," she called to the evening security guard as she crossed the lobby to the elevators. "How's your grandson's team doing?"
"Joey hit a home run last Saturday, fourth one this season. I'm telling you that kid's headed for the major leagues." He beamed with pride.
"That's great!" Abby couldn't help but smile. "Just make him finish third grade before he signs with the pros."
Gary slapped a hand on the top of the security desk and laughed so hard Abby thought he'd pop a button. "That's a good one. Finish third grade first."
"Yeah," she said, thinking Gary was the one who needed to get out more.
She worked in quiet for about an hour but didn't make much progress. Standing up, she walked to the sliver of window in the corner of her office. She stretched her neck from side to side and watched traffic inch along
Market Street. The unexpected ring of the phone made her jump. Only one person knew to call the office this late looking for her. She closed her eyes, not up for one of Rachael's lectures. On the fourth ring she groaned out loud. What if Rach needed her for something important? She marched to the phone and snatched up the handset—best friends could be a real pain in the ass.
"Before you say anything," she started, hoping to curtail the lecture before it got started. "I don't want to hear one word about my sorry love life. Got it? And you'd better have a serious reason for calling. If not, hang up now, before I say something I'll regret and have to apologize for later."
Abby waited for the lecture anyway. When all she got was silence, she put a hand on her hip and rolled her eyes. "What, no flippant response? No threat to enroll me in Needs a Life Anonymous?" She waited another beat before guilt set in. Rachael was her closest friend, and she'd probably just hurt her feelings.
She sighed. "Okay look, I'm sorry. I'm just not in the mood tonight. It's been a really emotional day. Now you see. This is why I wanted you to hang up. Please don't be upset."
"I won't be upset if you tell me what you thought I had in mind." The r
ich baritone voice caught her completely off guard. What was she supposed to say now? Explaining would probably make her look pathetic. Well, she thought, when all else fails, say a quick prayer and try humor.
"Please tell me this is Rachael and you have a horrible cold."
"Sorry to disappoint you. It's Gage Faraday."
"Mr. Faraday, I'm sorry. I won't even try to explain what that was all about. I obviously thought you were someone else. I hope you won't hold it against The Norwell Group."
"Loyal to a fault, aren't you, Miss Carpenter? I consider it a very important quality. It's one of the reasons I want to hire you to develop the marketing plan for River Place One."
"You want to hire us?" She breathed a huge sigh of relief. "That's great! You won't be disappointed. Mr. Norwell's brilliant, and Billings is very talented, and—"
"Miss Carpenter," he interrupted, "I want you to manage the project."
She hesitated. "Me?" Did she understand correctly? "Oh, well, I—thank you. I'm honored. Have you spoken with Mr. Norwell yet?"
"No. I wanted to speak with you first. I've got an eleven-thirty meeting tomorrow morning a couple of blocks from your office. If you're free, I'd like to meet for lunch afterward. It'll give us both a chance to see if we'll make a good team before I give Norwell my decision."
"Lunch would be fine," she agreed, sounding so calm he'd never know she was pinching her thigh to make sure she wasn't dreaming. She'd probably have some nice black and blue marks in the morning.
"Good. There's a little Italian restaurant not too far from your office. Reggianos. Are you familiar with it?"
"Yes, it's one of my favorites."
"Perfect. I should be able to make it by one if that works for you."
"Yes, and thank you again. I look forward to it." Abby replaced the handset with trembling fingers. Gage was choosing her. She was going to get the break she'd been waiting for.
After packing her briefcase, she turned off her computer and locked her desk drawer. A couple of minutes later when she passed Billings's office on her way out, she resisted the urge to strut back and forth in front of his door flapping her arms like a chicken. She was a professional after all, and it would be a ridiculously immature thing to do. However, she did tilt her head back ever so slightly and allow a soft crow.
A Murderous Game Page 3