Page 18 of Fierce-Zander

“Just the things you love to do. Things I know my father wouldn’t like to do,” he said, laughing.

“Because he’s like you and doesn’t enjoy sitting in front of the computer?”

“Exactly,” he said. “We all have our strengths and yours is finding the right fact in fifty articles.”

“I live for research. In the comfort of this office.”

“Better you than me,” he said. “I’ll be leaving shortly and be back later.”

“Make sure you bring back a good lunch,” Betsy yelled at his back when he returned to his office.

“Text me what you want,” he shouted to her, and she laughed.

They might have more space between them in his office than his old rundown one, but they still communicated the same.

5

BIT OF INFORMATION

“Hello, Garrett,” Regan said. She wasn’t sure why Garrett Fierce just walked into her office, but since he was her landlord she’d stop and talk to make sure there were no problems.

“Hi, Dr. Philes.”

“It’s Regan,” she said. She’d told them that a few times. “Most of my clients call me Regan too.”

She’d found that being more informal helped them relax.

Sure, there were a few who wanted to refer to her as Dr. Philes because they wanted that formality. She was adaptable either way.

“That’s right,” Garrett said. “You did tell me that. In my increasing age, those things slip my mind.”

She didn’t think much slipped his mind but wouldn’t call him out on it.

“Is there something I can help you with today or is this just a social call? I’ve heard you like to pop your head in and say hi. I believe your brother was here not that long ago checking on things.”

“I was next door meeting with Zander on something and since you’re right by his door I thought I’d swing in. No worries about the noise or anything with your offices so close together? You both have about the same size space, but I believe your personal offices butt up against each other.”

She hadn’t realized that. Nor did she think much of it. There was no reason to.

All these offices were custom to the client’s needs, but she’d come into a space that was set up for someone else that needed a bigger spot and moved to the new building still under construction a few miles away.

Her office was big, she had another smaller one where she stored files but maybe could be another staff at some point. Then Miles was up front.

“I don’t notice any noise,” she said. “If that is what you mean. I’m going to assume Zander isn’t around much.”

“Have you talked to Zander?” Garrett asked.

“A few times,” she said. “Mostly coming and going or at night when we both find ourselves here.”

She saw Miles grin as if that bit of information was new to him. Maybe she should have kept her mouth shut on it.

“He’s not around much,” Garrett said.

“I spend time with Betsy,” Miles said. “She’s like an aunt to me.”

Miles was only mid-twenties. She was guessing Betsy was in her mid to late forties by the few times she’d seen her.

“We love it when all the offices get along,” Garrett said. “But we know that isn’t always possible. We do try to soundproof walls as best as we can, but in this situation, you both have clients that require confidentiality and I wanted to ensure everything met your standards.”

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