With one hand, he absently pushed the errant strands of hair away before he spoke. “This is a quarterly meeting, but since it’s the end of the year I thought I might as well get that report out of the way as well. Figures show Delphi Technologies not only to be in the black, but we show a twelve percent profit above last year’s earnings.”
“Is that even with us moving into Holcomb,” Joyce asked playfully.
Everyone laughed but there was an edge of seriousness to the question. For years, Carson strenuously argued that they simply couldn’t afford to move to a better location. It was only after the company grew to the point where there was no other choice that she had agreed to relocate.
“I told you we should have done this sooner,” Jeremy said by way of answer. “The move into the Holcomb Building didn’t affect our earnings one iota. From the rumors I’m hearing our standing as a company to be reckoned with has gone up as a direct result of the move.”
Jeremy’s gossip circle usually included investors from Wall Street, and was considered reliable.
“How is that possible,” Carson wondered aloud. “Why would a simple move affect our reputation?”
“It’s a matter of appearance,” Mike answered, speaking for the first time. “It’s a good thing to worry about Delphi’s reputation for quality software and research development, but image is just as important. The way people see it, the better the business location, the better the product. It doesn’t make sense, but that’s the way it is.”
“Yeah, look at Microsoft. Do you think that if they operated out of a rundown shack, they would do half the amount of successful work they do,” Joyce argued. “Even if they put out the same exact product, no one would want to deal with them.”
Carson nodded her head slowly. She could accept that. It was the same reason she drove a Lexus instead of an old Chevy pickup with mismatched tires. Appearance was everything.
“Anything else,” she redirected to Jeremy.
Jeremy shifted in his seat and looked suddenly uncomfortable. Clearly, there was something else, but Carson didn’t know if she wanted to hear it.
“Um, it’s this business with the Tierney Cipher?”
“The cipher? I don’t really see what that has to do with our finances.”
“Well, it doesn’t,” Jeremy said. “At least not directly.”
“But?”
“I’m concerned that Delphi is getting into government contracting. While it is a huge step for the company as a whole and puts us on solid ground reputation-wise, I’m worried that we’ll forget research and development for civilian use and move into strictly military applications.”
“That is not going to happen. I fully intend that the contract we signed with Colonel Anderson today will be the last time Delphi Technologies agrees to anything related to the military.”
“Boy, you can say that again,” Joyce interjected. Just the thought of Anderson made Joyce look as though she had sucked on a lemon. “What a pri....”
“Moving on. Mike, anything from the software side of the house?”
The four quickly moved through the items on the agenda until there was only one piece of business left. Carson had saved this bit of information for last because she wanted to surprise her crew and the import of her announcement had far-reaching implications for the company.
“Yesterday I got a phone call from Lord Weatherby....”
“Lord?” Joyce said incredulously.
“From Britain. He’s getting ready to start a commodities business and wants us to design the software for his company. I think it’s a great idea and I’ve already tentatively accepted the job. This would be a difficult assignment for us since whatever we come up with has to be developed to fit the British monetary system and government regulatory system.”
“I like it,” Michael voted. “It’s a great way to start getting us known in other countries.”
Jeremy sat back in his chair and let out a huge breath while he stared at the table. For a moment he sat there in what Carson thought was stunned silence.
“Jeremy? Is something wrong?”
“I have to admit I feel a little overwhelmed. That’s great news. After everything that’s happened in the past few months, and now this, I can’t help but feel that it’s just the tip of the iceberg. I think Delphi Technologies is going to break wide open, and from an accounting point of view I think we’re at the point where we need a general counsel.”
“You really think we’re at that point?”
“Yeah. The way we’re going, Delphi is going to grow quickly. We may outgrow Holcomb sooner than you think, and we’re going to need someone to watch our corporate backsides, someone who can dedicate themselves solely to our interests.”
Immediate thoughts of Erin crowded Carson’s head. There was no one Carson would rather have as committed counsel than Erin Donovan. But would Erin agree to such a thing? Erin would be required to give up her partnership in her firm to make such a move, and Carson just didn’t know if she was ready for that. Erin loved being a corporate attorney. Would she be happy if she moved away from where she was now?
Joyce seemed to read her mind. “I was really impressed with Ms. Donovan and how she handled Colonel Anderson. She seems a lot more defensive of her client’s interests than that Eldridge guy. Do you think she might be interested in the job?”
“I don’t know,” Carson said softly.
“I know, I know. You have to think about it.”
They talked at great length about the success of Delphi during the past year, and discussed various ideas on what kind of computer game to develop. Joyce wanted it to be a simple seek and find game with different levels of difficulty, but Carson thought something a little more challenging would be better. In the end, Jeremy and Mike agreed with Carson. They thought something along the lines of a haunted mansion with different puzzles to unlock each room would be better. Joyce finally relented in the name of democracy and with nothing decided, suggested it was time to end the meeting.
“On that note, why don’t we wrap up here? It’s almost four and I think we should celebrate.”
Everyone grinned and looked at Joyce after she made the statement, but it fell to Carson to ask the question.
“Exactly what did you have in mind?”
“Oh, nothing much. How about some drinks and snacks at the pub you like so much? First round is on me.”
Carson nodded in full agreement. Delphi had done very well for itself and looked as though it really was going to launch to the top of the Fortune 500 list. They had earned the right to celebrate.
“All right. I’ll meet you guys at Grace O’Malley’s in twenty minutes.”
Excited and with a lot to think about, Carson needed a few minutes to herself. She sat at her desk and simply looked around her new office with details from the meeting fresh in her mind. When she started Delphi, she never dreamed it would rise to this level. Her company was on firm footing, and there was an incredible new love in her life. Could things possibly get any better?
Carson reached out and grabbed the phone. She punched in the number to Erin’s private line and listened as the call was answered on the second ring.
“Erin Donovan,”
“Hi,” she said softly. “It’s me. Can you talk?”
“I have a few minutes. Why do you sound so happy, actually euphoric is probably a better word.”
“Oh, I just came from the quarterly meeting with my people.”
“I take it you had a good meeting?”
Carson hesitated briefly before she confirmed it. “You could say that. I’d like to fill you in on the details, but we’re all knocking off a little early to celebrate. Any chance you could join us at Grace O’Malley’s?”
“I would love to, but I still have a lot to get finished here. I’ve got a seminar coming up at the end of January for the bar association, and I haven’t even started writing my presentation yet.”
“You’re going to be one of the speakers
?”
Carson was truly impressed that Erin was asked to speak at the seminar, but when she responded, she didn’t sound as though it was that big a deal.
“Unfortunately, yes. The board tagged me this year to update everyone on the changes in corporate tax law, but it sounds like you got some great news and I want to hear all about it. Maybe later?”
Erin sounded like she sincerely regretted the necessity to work, and Carson was also disappointed. Realistically, Carson knew Erin had other concerns besides what was happening with Delphi Technologies, and decided not to press the issue. It was probably better this way since Carson still needed to think on how to approach Erin on the general counsel issue.
“Definitely. I’ll call you when I get home if it’s not too late.”
“I look forward to it.”
Carson was going to hang up when Erin spoke again in a softer voice. “Carson? I really am sorry that I can’t join you.”
“Me too. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Bye.”
Carson dreamily hung up the phone and with Erin’s gravelly tones in her head, picked up her overcoat and purse. She made sure all the lights were out, and then carefully set the alarm in the lab since she was the last one out. She felt as though she could conquer the world as she stepped onto the lift that would take her to the parking garage. Just before the doors closed, she heard Mike shout down the hall to hold the elevator.
“I thought I was the last one here,” she said as he hustled onto the lift.
“I got a last minute call. Joyce and Jeremy already left. She suggested I could get a ride with you.”
Mike usually took public transportation and Carson assumed that’s what he intended to do when they were ready to leave the pub. Although she didn’t like to drink very much, she knew her three friends were likely to overindulge a bit, and thought it a good idea that he wouldn’t be behind the wheel.
“No problem.”
A few minutes later, they drove out from under the parking garage and pulled smoothly into traffic. Carson drove slowly on the slippery streets and kept her eyes on the road, but Mike didn’t seem overly concerned about her abilities.
“Do you really think Delphi is about to take off like Jeremy suggests?”
“I don’t know,” Carson answered truthfully. “In a way it’s a little scary. Of course, I always hoped the company would do well, but I never expected it to happen so quickly. It’s as though I can see us progressing in leaps and bounds, but at the same time I’m in denial.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean. Who would have thought in six years we’d be one of the major companies in the business.”
Carson stopped for a red light, and noticed Mike glance down at the gauges on the Lexus. When the light changed and she drove forward he finally said, “It’s a good thing I decided to ride with you.”
“Why is that?”
Mike looked into her eyes and said dryly, “So that when you run out of gas I can help push.”
“Hey! It’ll make it.”
The needle of the fuel gauge was well below the empty mark and even as Carson looked down, the red light came on. Fortunately, there was a gas station at the end of the block. Twenty minutes later and right on time, they drove into the lot at Grace O’Malley’s.
The celebration lasted for hours. Much laughter, beer, and conversation later, Carson decided it was time to call it a night. The boys distracted her from that decision when they suggested the company might want to diversify by branching off into video games, but Carson didn’t seriously consider the idea. Finally, when Joyce began to tease her about her relationship with Erin, Carson changed the subject by reminding each of them not to be late for work the next day.
She was exhausted when the evening finally ended. She stood on the street and watched Joyce and Jeremy walk down the street toward her car, and hoped that the pair would be all right. At least they didn’t have far to drive since both lived within a few blocks of the bar. The public transport bus arrived and Michael stumbled a little as he climbed aboard. Carson waved one final time, and headed for her own vehicle.
Carson drove carefully. The streets were clear at the moment and dry for the first time in weeks, but she had been drinking. She was well aware that even a small amount of alcohol could slow her reaction time if something happened. While she drove, she thought about how exciting things were with her life. The company was really taking off and she’d met someone special. It all was too good to be true.
Twenty minutes later, she made it home safely. Her gate opened obediently and she let out a relieved sigh. It had been a few days since she’d been at the house, and the last time the gate had malfunctioned. Since it was working properly now she assumed the phone call she made to the security company had been productive. Now if only she could call Erin to say goodnight.
Unfortunately, that was impossible. The celebration with her colleagues had gone on much longer than she expected it to, and it was almost one in the morning. Since she couldn’t call Erin tonight, she would have to try to make up for it by bringing her a coffee early in the morning.
Comforted by that thought Carson parked in the garage, and went into the house. Immediately surrounded by the familiar sights and scents of her home, she sighed as she let the tension drain from her. It didn’t take long for her to shower and fall exhausted into bed.
Chapter Twenty-One
SEAN DONOVAN WALKED briskly toward his room at the Chicago Athletic Club with a spring in his step. An early game of tennis with an old friend was just what he needed to get his blood pumping, but it was the look of consternation on his former partner’s face when Sean beat him in straight sets that put him in such a good mood. He was in better shape than ever since the move to Arizona and he thought the dry desert air was the reason why.
Away from the cold Chicago climate, Sean was able to work out on a daily basis, and his asthma hadn’t bothered him in years. He was lean, tanned, and fit, and definitely didn’t feel his age. On the other hand, Jim Abernathy was overweight and pale, and the three packs of cigarettes he smoked a day certainly didn’t help.
With thoughts of a shower and breakfast dancing in his head, Sean slipped the key card from his shorts and into the card reader just as the telephone inside his room rang. He snatched the receiver up just as it rang a second time.
“Hello?”
“Sean? Josh Keyes here.”
“Josh, good to hear from you. Were you able to find anything out?”
Sean had contacted Josh two days ago to discuss Erin’s concerns with the previous Marsters case. He kept busy after that visiting old friends to keep his mind occupied, but now that Josh finally decided to call, he was surprised how eager he was to have some answers.
Keyes hesitated for a moment before he finally replied. “Sean, that was a long time ago and people often say things they don’t mean when emotions are high. I can’t imagine anything worse than losing someone like these people did. Are you sure you want to bring this all up again?”
“You’re right, and I could be barking up the wrong tree. But Erin is my daughter and even if it’s only for my own piece of mind, I need to know.”
“Oh, all right. I don’t know how you get me into these things.”
“Come on, Josh.”
“Fine. You wanted me to check on some person who was sending threatening letters to Marsters and their attorney. There were two people sending love notes to Marsters. One had a sick child and the other’s wife came down with a virulent form of the same type of cancer.”
“Are both the wife and child deceased now?”
“Ah, just the child. Eric Jacobs lost his son six months ago, but there’s no record of the woman’s death.”
“What about the people who sent the letters? Can you tell me about them?”
Josh paused for the moment and Sean could hear papers rustling in the background before he finally answered.
“I mentioned Eric Jacobs. His nine year old boy came down
with the illness almost a year after the initial reported cases. He was sick four years when he finally passed away six months ago. Mr. Jacobs was extremely angry when his son got sick and sent several letters to Marsters. Some of the threats he made could curl your hair, but he has no criminal record and by all accounts is a peaceful man who lived through a very traumatic time.”
“And the other guy?”
“Ronald Adams. He worked for the Chicago Department of Transportation until two years ago. He was apparently fired for being late to work all the time, but I can’t say I blame the man. His wife, Mary, needed constant care. Like Jacobs, Ron Adams doesn’t have a criminal record either. Not as much as a speeding ticket.”
“And since there’s no record of his wife’s death Adams would have little reason to set out on a vendetta.”
“You guessed it.”
“Well, it was a shot in the dark anyway,” Sean said. He was disappointed that Josh hadn’t found anything, but was realistic enough to know that anyone could be trying to get even with Marsters for any number of reasons. “Thanks for looking into it for me.”
“Anytime. And Sean, we should get together before you leave town.”
“I’d love to. I’ll give you a call.”
Sean ended the call and sat thinking quietly. Erin had been so sure the old case was tied to what was happening now, but neither of the men Keyes mentioned seemed like a viable suspect. By all accounts, both men were law abiding, and peaceful. It was difficult to think they could make the leap to serial killer because of the death of a family member. Even though rage and loss could be motivating factors, it was still a stretch.
Yet he trusted Erin’s instincts just as he trusted his own. That instinct was what made him a great attorney and he believed Erin had inherited that gift from him. For that reason, he wouldn’t drop this until he knew for sure.
There was one way to find out. If the people tied to the old wrongful death case were innocent, he would find out and allow Erin to let it go. This really was something the police should be looking into, but Sean had given his word that he would help Erin find out information on the old case. He would stick with this until he satisfied that promise.
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