Page 25 of On the Double

“Hunting, as far as I know.”

“So, half the company is off chasing down the bad guys, and we’re left here to hold down the fort.”

“It’s not half the company,” he huffed. “What’s your problem, anyway? So what if he went to IKE. This is his area.”

“And the J’s? Why them?”

He shrugged casually. “They knew Rafe better than any of us. If anyone would want revenge besides Cash, it would be them.”

“So…we’re just supposed to sit here twiddling our thumbs?”

“Well, now we have to rebuild since you had the brilliant idea to blow up the building.”

“I didn’t blow it up! That was all IRIS.”

“With your guidance,” he jeered.

8

HARPER

“Heardyou caused a riot at work today,” Oliver said as soon as I walked through the door.

I hated being the talk of the town, but the riot wasn’t even my fault. “Technically, it was a customer that started it. I just happened to be there.”

“You always happen to be there,” he laughed. “There’s a picket line outside the grocery store.”

“What are they picketing?”

“The run on toilet paper. I heard the mayor is holding a press conference later.”

Groaning, I dropped my head into my hands. I really hoped he was joking.

“They’re even covering it on the local news.”

My head snapped up as he turned up the volume on the TV. The camera panned over the grocery store and the line of customers outside, holding up signs and chanting in the background. I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but I could guess it wasn’t good.

“—where earlier today, there was a run on toilet paper. Reports indicate that a cashier in the store was discussing the avocado wars in Mexico and somehow, the topic turned to a run on the bank, which was then compared totoilet paper. We’re still trying to piece together how this sleepy town suddenly ran out of the essential commodity, but the owner is not happy and said the employee that started this all will be dealt with swiftly. Back to you in the studio.”

I stared at the TV for what felt like an hour. I couldn’t believe it. Who would even report such a thing? “I’m going to lose my job,” I whispered.

“Oh, relax,” my brother chuckled. “It’ll all blow over in no time.”

“Easy for you to say. You know my boss hates me.”

“Because you daydream more than any person on earth.”

“I can’t help it! My mind wanders and?—”

“And what?”

I snapped my lips shut, not having a response for him.

“Maybe you should consider a career that doesn’t involve customer service.”

“Such as?”

He thought long and hard about it before coming up with an answer. “How about going into business for yourself?”

---