by Iris Bolling
Chrystina knocked on the office door and thought it was times like this she really missed AnnieMarie. The woman really had a way with people, especially this man.
"Excuse me, Cainan. I know you are busy, but there is a situation Mr. Dunning needs your assistance with. Do you think you can spare us a few minutes, or hours?"
Cainan glanced up with pleading eyes. Chrystina smiled. "When you give a definite time frame range from a few minutes to a couple of hours, how can I say no?" Cainan laughed as he sat his coffee cup down. "How can I help you?"
"I need you to come with me to the fifth floor conference room. Bring your laptop and anything you will need to put together a presentation." She spoke as she walked. Looking back over her shoulder she saw Cainan was still seated. "I need you to move now."
"Oh sorry." Cainan stood as he gathered his things. "I was waiting for more direction on what you needed in the presentation."
"We don't have time for a sit down chat on what's about to happen. We'll have to wing it as we go."
"I'm winging it with you."
"You are so nerdy, but you are cute,” Chrystina laughed. “Grab your suit jacket. You need to be suited up for this."
Cainan grabbed his jacket from the back of the chair. "Thank you, I think. You said this is for Mr. Dunning, why aren't we using his conference room?"
"We have traitors amongst us."
"Already?"
"Some of them were already in place. They have chosen this moment to try us." Chrystina tilted her head and shrugged her shoulders as the elevator doors opened. "What they don't know is I don't play games."
"Is Mr. Mitchell involved in this?"
"I'm afraid so." Chrystina smirked as she pushed the button to the fifth floor. "Why do you ask?"
"Preston mentioned something about him earlier this morning. He thought the man was up to something, he just didn't know what."
"Well, for his sake, I pray Preston is not involved in this matter. Mr. Dunning is a nice guy, but when you bring customers into some mess he's not going to take any prisoners. Heads will roll."
"Is this about Hershel Automotive?"
"Yes." Chrystina glanced at him as the elevator doors opened. "How did you know?"
"One of Mr. Mitchell's assistants, Paulette asked me to put together some numbers for Hershel yesterday."
"Did you give it to her?"
He nodded. "Before close of business yesterday."
Chrystina stopped walking. "Tell me you still have it on your computer."
"The entire presentation." Cainan smiled. "How you like me now?"
"Like you? I love you in this moment.” Chrystina beamed
Ten minutes later Chrystina and Cainan set up the projector and connected the sound system. He was sitting at the table running through the presentation when Chrystina felt her cell phone buzz. She checked the message; it was the receptionist advising her Mitch had just walked into the building. He had entered the executive elevator.
"Of course. He would not be caught dead riding with the employees."
"Did you say something?" Cainan asked as he looked up from the computer monitor he was working on.
"No, sorry." Chrystina smiled. "Things are falling into place. I'll be able to breathe a sigh of relief in about two shakes of a tail feather."
Cainan looked at her. "If I'm nerdy, you are corny."
She nodded and stepped away. "That I am." She laughed then sent a text message to Cory in the maintenance department. 'Please shut down the Executive Elevator as previously discussed.' A minute later she received a text back with a single word, 'Done'.
She smiled, then looked at Cainan. "Are we ready?"
"We will be in two minutes," he replied as he continued to work.
"I don't have to tell you how important this presentation is to Mr. Dunning."
"I have a feeling there is more to this than you are saying." Cainan stopped keying and looked up at her. "If this is for Mr. Dunning, I don't need to know why."
Chrystina smiled as she walked out of the room. "That's why I'm calling AnnieMarie to tell her if she does not come back to work soon, I'm taking you." She turned to walk out the door, talking over her shoulder. "I will send you a text in ten minutes to let you know where to meet Mr. Dunning."
"Hey, since I know this stuff do you want me to present? That will save Mr. Dunning some time."
"Bless you. I am certain Mr. Dunning will not have an opportunity to review those numbers ahead of time. He will welcome your input."
"You got it. One more thing," he said as she walked away.
"Cainan, I really have to go."
"I understand and in the scheme of things happening today, this is relatively small. But, do you know you have on sneakers and not heels?"
Chrystina looked down at her feet. "Damn it." She ran out the door closing it behind her.
"Everything set, ladies?" she asked Holly Helberg, a sweet brunette from accounting and Serena Lamb, a dark hair feisty woman from human resources, as she met them in the hallway.
"Ready." They both stood with presentation packages in their hands.
"Good. Holly, run to my office. There is a bag on the floor. Grab my shoes and meet me by the elevator."
"Will do." Holly ran off. "Remember, don't talk to anyone."
"Got it."
Chrystina turned to Serena and sighed. "We've done all we can do. Now let’s show them how Dunning represents."
Chapter Sixteen
Daisy was sitting in the kitchen having breakfast when Myles and AnnieMarie walked in. The surprised look on her face told all.
"Annie, baby." She held her arms out and embraced the young woman with all the love a second mother could give. "It’s so good to see you out of that bedroom." She took her by the hand. "Now come right over here and sit down. You too, Myles." She smiled brightly. "It is nice to have both of you at the breakfast table again. How about some nice big waffles with fresh strawberries and whipped cream?"
"I'll take two, Daisy, but AnnieMarie needs five," Myles joked. "Look how skinny she is."
"Stop teasing your sister. She looks wonderful, with the exception of the dark circles under her eyes." Daisy walked over to the double wood-grain refrigerator and pulled out the waffle mix. "Your father would have a fit if he could see those circles. I think you need to take a walk down to the park and have a nice heart-to-heart with your daddy."
"I think that's a wonderful idea," Winnie said as she walked into the kitchen. She never stopped, but went right to her daughter, pulled her out of the chair she had taken and hugged her with the love only a mother could give. She pulled out of the embrace and checked her daughter over as if it had been years since she had seen her. Palming AnnieMarie’s face in her hands, she looked directly into her daughter's eyes.
"I love you so much, my baby. When you hurt, I hurt. It's just that simple." She hugged her again.
Daisy smiled as Myles winked at AnnieMarie.
"Stop treating her like she is a baby. AnnieMarie is a grown woman and both of you need to realize that." Daisy placed a cup of coffee in front of Myles, then popped him on the back of his head with the palm of her hand. "Ouch."
"Mind your mouth," she said, then walked back to the stovetop where the waffles were cooking.
Winnie looked down at her daughter's face again. "You will always be my baby. I don't care how big or beautiful you get." She took the chair next to AnnieMarie. "Now tell me, are you going into the office today or can you spare your mother another day here at home?"
"She needs to come into the office," Myles said as he took a sip of his coffee. "With Michael, Gary and Grace gone, I can really use the support."
"Your Uncle Walker is coming by today. You know AnnieMarie is the only one he tends to watch his mouth around."
"He's coming today, why?" Myles asked as he glanced at Daisy, who shrugged.
Winnie exhaled. "I couldn't keep putting him off. I made an appointment with him at ten this morning. Lord knows I don'
t want to deal with him today, but I have no choice."
"Hmm, I'm sure I have back-to-back meetings today." His phone buzzed. Daisy stopped cooking and glared at him. Myles pulled out his phone. He looked up to see Daisy frowning. “It’s an urgent message from Chrystina.”
"Umm, Myles. Telephones are prohibited at the kitchen table." AnnieMarie frowned. "You know that."
Myles stood, remembering his father's command. "I'll take this outside."
Daisy nodded her approval.
"He looks so much like your father when he was that age. Lord I miss him." Winnie turned to her daughter. "I miss you too, AnnieMarie. I miss your laughter and the instant joy you bring into this house." She took her daughter's hand. "Would you go to the park with me today to visit with your father? I know he would love to feel your presence and I could surely use the support."
Daisy continued cooking as she watched and listened. She held her breath for AnnieMarie’s response.
"Of course, I'll join you. But I have no idea how much support I will be."
Winnie beamed. "Just having you near is all the support I need."
Daisy released a sigh of relief, placed waffles on a plate and put them in front of AnnieMarie.
"Daisy, I can't eat all of this," she cried out.
"Of course you can. Myles is right. You are too skinny. Eat up." Daisy walked away smiling. "It's good to have you at the table, Annie."
She removed four of the waffles from her plate and put them on the plate at Myles' seat. "Let Myles be the one to get fat."
Daisy laughed, then turned back towards Winnieford who was watching Myles talking on the phone.
"Something is happening. We need to make sure he goes into the office. He's not going to leave if he thinks we need him here.” She glanced at Daisy and AnnieMarie. “Follow my lead."
AnnieMarie nodded.
Winnie reached over, took Myles' plate and began eating. She had just put the first fork filled with waffles and strawberries in her mouth when Myles retuned to the table. He looked suspiciously at his mother, then glanced at Daisy. Daisy did all she could to keep a straight face.
"Oh, sorry. Can I have this?" Winnie innocently asked, with her mouth full.
"Looks like you already have them to me." Everyone laughed. "A brother can't get a break around here."
Daisy continued to watch the family she loved. It was good to see a partial smile on AnnieMarie’s face, to hear laughter in the house again, to see the frown soften on Myles' face. Now, if he could just get things under control at the office, Mr. Hep could rest in peace.
"Enjoy them. It seems my enemies are not wasting any time to try to take me down." Myles finished his coffee. "Chrystina needs me in the office as soon as possible. Are you two going to be okay with Walker?"
Winnie waved Myles off. "Of course. You go to the office and establish your position. AnnieMarie and I will handle Walker."
"Don't choke trying." Myles smiled as he bent down and kissed his sister. "I need you back in the office as soon as possible. But not before you are ready."
"Thank you for understanding, Myles."
He nodded. "And Mother." Winnie looked up with whipped cream on her lips. Myles laughed, then gave her a napkin. "Try not to give the farm away to Walker. Let Grace handle any legalities of the will."
Winnie, whose eyes were shining with laughter, took the napkin and wiped her mouth. "I will try. Now go save Dunning from Mitchell."
"How do you know it's Mitchell?"
"He's been trying that petty crap behind Hep's back for years. You being in charge is not going to change that. Just make sure your customers get to know you. You will be okay."
"Thanks, Mother." He kissed her cheek then left out the door.
AnnieMarie turned to her mother. "You can stop now. He's gone."
Winnie dropped the fork. "Thank goodness. I thought I would pop if I had to eat another bite."
Daisy dropped the dishcloth and fell out laughing at the sight of Winnie with pancakes dropping out of her mouth. AnnieMarie joined in.
"You know you don't have to put a front on for Myles."
"Oh, baby, I do. Myles worries about all of us these days. In his mind we are now his responsibility. He is just as overprotective as his father. If he thought for one minute I was concerned about Walker's visit or you were still locked up in that room, he would delay going into the office. We both know that is where he needs to be." She reached over and took AnnieMarie's hand. "Thank you for your help this morning. I don't know what you said to him, but he seems at ease leaving us today. I can't imagine who called and made him feel he had to be here in the first place," she said, as she looked directly at Daisy.
"Oh, I'm sure it was an angel looking out for us." AnnieMarie winked at Daisy.
Daisy looked from one to the other. “Damn right. It’s my job.”
Chapter Seventeen
Walking into the building was different today for Myles. This was now his building. Every floor, every employee, every account, every problem, it was all on his shoulders. It was difficult at this point to determine if that was a curse or a blessing.
"Good morning, Mr. Dunning." A young lady smiled brightly.
"Congratulations, Mr. Dunning."
"Good morning and thank you," Myles replied, as he continued on to the elevator.
"Congratulations, Mr. Dunning," a young man said, as he entered the elevator.
"Thank you." Myles nodded his head just as a hand slid between the closing doors.
"Good morning, Myles," came the cherry sweet voice of Savannah Whitfield. This was the last thing he needed this morning.
"Savannah. This is a surprise."
"I thought it would be." She stood right in front of him. "Normally I would say congratulations, but under the circumstances I will say the best man was voted into the position. It will be difficult, but I believe you will prove every praise your father ever gave you to be true."
The statement caught him off guard. It was the most thoughtful thing anyone could say to him at this time. He wondered if she sat up all night thinking of the perfect thing to say to him this morning. "Thank you, Savannah."
"Your father believed you were ready for this a few years ago and I agreed with him. You are going to do great things here, Myles."
The elevator stopped on the third floor. "It was good seeing you. Have a wonderful day." Savannah stepped off the elevator with a parting smile.
The fact that she did not try to get him to spend time with her was a surprise. Myles was sure when she first stepped into the elevator, she was there to see him. As it turned out he was wrong. She got off on the floor her friend worked on. Shrugging his shoulder, he dismissed thoughts of Savannah as another employee started to enter.
Cainan stepped from behind Myles and hit the close button. "We need the elevator."
The employee stepped back as Myles turned to stare at Cainan. He had no idea anyone else was in the elevator.
"A simple congratulation just doesn't work for someone trying to make an impression." Cainan nodded. "I did not have a chance to say it yesterday during the meeting." He extended his hand. "Congratulations."
Myles hesitated, then took the young man's hand. "Thank you, Cainan. I appreciate that." He tapped the man on the shoulder as he shook his hand. The man visibly relaxed. Cainan Scott was a nice young man in Myles' opinion. Standing a solid six-two, he was a bit shorter than Myles, but had a menacing appearance. For some reason Myles always thought it would be better to have this man on your side, he could be a ferocious opponent. Unfortunately, they found themselves on opposite sides at the moment. There was some reason his father did not want Cainan involved with AnnieMarie. It was now his job to discover why.
"Ms. Price is waiting for you with some information for this morning's meeting."
"Thank you." Myles nodded. He stared at Cainan remembering what AnnieMarie said about him. "How are you holding up?"
Cainan, dressed in a suit and tie, shrugged. "Could
be better."
Myles had to smile. "My sister giving you hell?"
He stood from his leaning position. "Has she said something to you?" he asked curiously, a tad anxious.
"Only that she would take anyone's balls off who puts a finger on you."
The menacing man grinned and nodded his head, relaxing a little more. "She would, too." The elevator stopped on the eighth floor and both men stepped out.
Chrystina was there waiting for Myles. "Was anyone on the elevator?" she asked Cainan.
"Savannah Whitfield."
Chrystina stopped. "What is she doing here?" She turned to Myles.
"She just happened to get on the elevator."
"No, everything with that woman is calculated." She then turned to Cainan. "Thank you, Cainan. I'll see you in a few minutes." She then began walking down the hall with Myles. "We have a situation that needs your immediate attention."
Myles stopped and turned to Cainan, who was walking in the opposite direction. "Cainan, do you have any free time to meet with me today?"
"You're the president of the bank. My time is yours."
"I have something I need to handle this morning." Myles nodded. "Join me for lunch."
"I'll see you sooner than you think, sir." Cainan nodded then walked away.
Myles stared at Cainan walking away then turned back. Chrystina and Myles began walking towards their suite of offices.
"Now, that's the way you are supposed to reply when the boss requests a meeting with you." She handed him a document. "This is the document I mentioned this morning." She then gave him a folder as she followed through his office door, closing it behind her. "This is what you need to know about the Hershel representatives." Myles walked behind his desk, placing his briefcase on the floor as they entered his office.
Chrystina continued, "I've made some notes for you on the side. The main thing to remember is while Marty Wassermann is the outspoken one, it is Herbert Chadwick that will make the final decision. He does not, I do mean does not, like to be called Herbert. He goes by Herb. Also, he was recently divorced. That's why I think Nancy was brought in on this little coup d'etat attempt. However, it is known that Mr. Herb likes his coffee dark. I'm not certain whose brain-child this was, but it was Nancy that put together the memo." She paused, took a breath and checked her watch. "You have about fifteen minutes to familiarize yourself with Herb Chadwick. You will open the meeting, then Cainan will handle the presentation."