Turning the Page by Andrew Grey

firm. He’s more interested in petty rules and control than he is in leading, and we need a leader.” Howard stood. “I didn’t want to think this, but the only reason he’s here is because his father was here. Otherwise he’d never have made the grade, and now he’s the one who’s supposed to lead the ship. If he stays, there’s an iceberg ahead with our name on it.” Howard left the conference room, and Malcolm left as well and went to his office.
    “You could have backed me,” Gary said a few minutes later when he hurried inside and closed the door.
    “I told you it wasn’t a good idea. You need to lead, and that means bringing people along to your way of thinking as well as soliciting their ideas. Get consensus. That’s what Harlan always did and what made him so good.”
    “I’m not Harlan,” Gary said.
    “No, you’re not, and while you should put your spin on the job, you also need to have the skills he had.” Malcolm sat down. “I have to get back to work, and I’m sure you have clients that require your attention.” He knew he was dismissing Gary, but he couldn’t do his job and Gary’s as well. Gary wasn’t happy, but he left his office and Malcolm got back to work.
     
     
    THE REST of his week didn’t go much better. He kept seeing impromptu meetings between the other partners, and at one time or another, each of them spoke to him about Gary. It seemed most of the firm’s partners were losing faith in Gary quickly, and they were looking to him for leadership. Malcolm didn’t want to do anything that would jeopardize the firm, and he still wasn’t interested in serving as the senior partner. But the handwriting was quickly becoming visible on the wall, and he was going to have to make a decision.
    For now Malcolm pushed that aside. It was Friday and he was headed home, a little nervous and excited. When he got home, he jumped into the shower and then dressed in his tuxedo, trying to decide on the tie he wanted to wear. When he and David had gone on their cruises, they’d dressed up, so he had a number of bow ties in various colors, but for tonight he decided on basic black because it always worked. Once he was dressed, he put on his black overcoat and left the house, following his GPS to Hans’s address in Shorewood.
    When Malcolm arrived, he parked and checked himself in the mirror, then took a deep breath to steady his nerves. He got out of the car, approached the house, and rang the bell.
    The door opened, and Hans stood in the doorway, looking stunning in his tuxedo with a deep azure tie and cummerbund that set off his eyes in an amazing way.
    “Wow,” Malcolm mumbled. “You look great.”
    “Come on in. I need to get my coat and we can go.” Malcolm stepped inside. “Do you need anything?” Hans asked as he got his things together.
    “I’m good, thanks.” Malcolm took the chance to look at Hans’s house. The furniture was modern—clean, with a Scandinavian feel. In a way it was what Malcolm might have expected, but the overall effect with the use of color was warm and inviting. Solid furnishings that weren’t fussy.
    “I’m ready when you are,” Hans said.
    “Your home looks very comfortable.”
    “It is. I need warmth and comfort in order to work. Most of the time I sit in that chair right there and work for hours. It cradles me, and I can sit there and get lost in my stories.” Hans smiled warmly and then turned away. “Ready?”
    They left the house, and Malcolm opened the passenger door for Hans before heading around to his side and sliding into the seat. “How was your week?” he asked as he started the engine.
    “Interesting. I was approached to write another adventure, and my agent was approached to see if I was interested in doing a series of science-fiction stories. I’ve always wanted to write them, but up until now I haven’t had the chance. When you’re starting out, making a bunch of unexpected changes can throw off readers, but my fan base