her eyes.
She hates me.
After a long moment, she turned toward the audience. “I’m sorry for the interruption, ladies and gentlemen. However, this is as good a time as any to take a break. Please enjoy the refreshments outside and we’ll reconvene in here in ten minutes. Thank you.”
A murmur rose from the audience as Diane stepped away from the podium and strolled confidently through the doors to the Great Hall. With a quick nod to Graham, I tried to follow her.
But Standish blocked my path. “It’s good to see you again so soon, Cyclone. I thought I’d have to wait months to pummel your face, but it looks like I got lucky.”
“Get out of my way.”
“Make me.”
He was bigger than me, meaner too. I’d gotten the drop on him in Colombia, but this time I lacked the advantage of surprise.
I looked to the stage. Diane was gone. It took me only a second to make up my mind. Swinging to the side, I vaulted over a couple of rows.
“You’re a coward, Cyclone,” he called out. “You’re a damn coward.”
Ignoring him, I darted down the stairs and through the double doors. As I slid into the Great Hall, I saw Diane walking toward the exit. I tried to run after her, but the crowd gathered around me, peppering me with questions.
“Diane,” I shouted. “Wait.”
I pushed through the members, splitting the crowd. Precious seconds passed. Finally, I managed to break free.
“Hold on just a second.” The new voice caught me off guard.
Twisting to the side, I saw Walker. His face betrayed his aggravation.
I shoved him out of the way and moved forward. But the crowd expanded, trapping me inside. Straining my neck, I managed to get one final glimpse of the exit.
But she was already gone.
Chapter 8
The small skyscraper at the corner of 52 nd Street and 2 nd Avenue didn’t project importance. Even the light coating of raindrops that covered its exterior couldn’t shine its dull granite blocks, its curiously short columns, and its large, unadorned windows. But despite its unimpressive looks, the building somehow managed to command respect.
Walker stopped the Town Car in front of the façade. Twisting around, he stared at me. We hadn’t exchanged a single word for almost two hours. Not that I cared. I didn’t feel much like talking.
“Do I need to escort you inside?”
I shrugged. “Sorry Jim, I didn’t mean to waste your time.”
“Don’t apologize to me. Apologize to Mr. Chase.”
As I stepped onto the sidewalk, rain poured down from above, stinging my face. Quickly, I maneuvered past some large planters and strode into the building.
At first glance, the lobby looked simple and elegant. The walls consisted of large granite blocks. Tall glass windows provided the space with a sense of openness. A stone fountain gurgled pleasantly from the middle of the room, pouring streams of water into a waiting pool below. The pool itself was brightly lit and I could see colorful fish swimming around inside.
But the lobby carried a darker side as well. Multiple cameras, whirring softly, scanned the room. Men and women, sporting hard, lined faces, milled about the area.
Looking around, I spotted a small circular desk. I hoofed my way across the marble floor and stopped in front of it.
A young woman looked up at me with a broad, confident smile. “May I help you?”
“I’m here to see Jack Chase.”
Her smile slipped away. Behind her, I saw two heavies straighten up and glance in my direction. Apparently, it wasn’t everyday that someone off the street came looking for the boss.
“Do you have an appointment?”
“No.”
“I see. Well, if you leave your name and number with me, I’ll be sure –”
“He’s expecting me. My name’s Cy Reed.”
The heavies took a few steps forward, positioning themselves on both sides of the desk.
Frowning, the woman checked her screen. “I’m not seeing anything here. Perhaps you have the wrong date?”
“Not a chance.”
Her frown deepened.
She hates me.
After a long moment, she turned toward the audience. “I’m sorry for the interruption, ladies and gentlemen. However, this is as good a time as any to take a break. Please enjoy the refreshments outside and we’ll reconvene in here in ten minutes. Thank you.”
A murmur rose from the audience as Diane stepped away from the podium and strolled confidently through the doors to the Great Hall. With a quick nod to Graham, I tried to follow her.
But Standish blocked my path. “It’s good to see you again so soon, Cyclone. I thought I’d have to wait months to pummel your face, but it looks like I got lucky.”
“Get out of my way.”
“Make me.”
He was bigger than me, meaner too. I’d gotten the drop on him in Colombia, but this time I lacked the advantage of surprise.
I looked to the stage. Diane was gone. It took me only a second to make up my mind. Swinging to the side, I vaulted over a couple of rows.
“You’re a coward, Cyclone,” he called out. “You’re a damn coward.”
Ignoring him, I darted down the stairs and through the double doors. As I slid into the Great Hall, I saw Diane walking toward the exit. I tried to run after her, but the crowd gathered around me, peppering me with questions.
“Diane,” I shouted. “Wait.”
I pushed through the members, splitting the crowd. Precious seconds passed. Finally, I managed to break free.
“Hold on just a second.” The new voice caught me off guard.
Twisting to the side, I saw Walker. His face betrayed his aggravation.
I shoved him out of the way and moved forward. But the crowd expanded, trapping me inside. Straining my neck, I managed to get one final glimpse of the exit.
But she was already gone.
Chapter 8
The small skyscraper at the corner of 52 nd Street and 2 nd Avenue didn’t project importance. Even the light coating of raindrops that covered its exterior couldn’t shine its dull granite blocks, its curiously short columns, and its large, unadorned windows. But despite its unimpressive looks, the building somehow managed to command respect.
Walker stopped the Town Car in front of the façade. Twisting around, he stared at me. We hadn’t exchanged a single word for almost two hours. Not that I cared. I didn’t feel much like talking.
“Do I need to escort you inside?”
I shrugged. “Sorry Jim, I didn’t mean to waste your time.”
“Don’t apologize to me. Apologize to Mr. Chase.”
As I stepped onto the sidewalk, rain poured down from above, stinging my face. Quickly, I maneuvered past some large planters and strode into the building.
At first glance, the lobby looked simple and elegant. The walls consisted of large granite blocks. Tall glass windows provided the space with a sense of openness. A stone fountain gurgled pleasantly from the middle of the room, pouring streams of water into a waiting pool below. The pool itself was brightly lit and I could see colorful fish swimming around inside.
But the lobby carried a darker side as well. Multiple cameras, whirring softly, scanned the room. Men and women, sporting hard, lined faces, milled about the area.
Looking around, I spotted a small circular desk. I hoofed my way across the marble floor and stopped in front of it.
A young woman looked up at me with a broad, confident smile. “May I help you?”
“I’m here to see Jack Chase.”
Her smile slipped away. Behind her, I saw two heavies straighten up and glance in my direction. Apparently, it wasn’t everyday that someone off the street came looking for the boss.
“Do you have an appointment?”
“No.”
“I see. Well, if you leave your name and number with me, I’ll be sure –”
“He’s expecting me. My name’s Cy Reed.”
The heavies took a few steps forward, positioning themselves on both sides of the desk.
Frowning, the woman checked her screen. “I’m not seeing anything here. Perhaps you have the wrong date?”
“Not a chance.”
Her frown deepened.
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