Page 19 of Click of Fate

I raise an eyebrow as I read it.

She smiles. “I took the liberty of naming today’s theme.”

Ray lets out a bark of laughter.

“Hi, Ray. I’m here. You just can’t see me,” she says. Maddie is in her early twenties, a recent grad, and one hell of a marketing specialist. Since marketing isn’t my forte, I knew hiring someone was essential if I wanted this location to succeed. Maddie was the only candidate that I interviewed who had climbing experience and walked in to the interview with full three-month, six-month, and twelve-month marketing plans. I hired her on the spot and haven’t regretted it since.

“That’s the kind of initiative I like to see,” he replies.

Maddie grins as she adjusts her oversized sweater. She’s always two steps ahead when it comes to strategy. I need to be careful how much access Ray has to her, he may try to steal her away and relocate her to Chicago.

Leaning back in my chair, I glance at her.

“Hit me. How bad are we talking?”

Maddie pulls out a graph and hands it to Luke.

“Ray, this graph is in your inbox. We’re steady but not exciting. Lauch momentum is cooling, and sign-ups have plateaued. People are interested, but they’re not committing.”

Frowning down at the chart, I rub a hand over my jaw. This isn’t unexpected, but not ideal either.

Ray steeples his fingers. “Not bad, but not great. What’s the plan?”

Maddie’s eyes brighten as she leans forward. “We need to hammer down on local outreach. More visibility, more community events, more media features. We have a solid reputation, but Indy doesn’t know us like Chicago does. We need a story.”

Nodding slowly, I agree. It makes sense. Maddie is all grins, though.

“Lucky for us, we just landed one.Hoosier Insiderpicked us up for their Urban Activities feature.”

That’s big.Hoosier Insiderisn’t just some local rag. It’s a widely read digital and print publication.

Ray whistles impressively.

I ask, “How’d we swing that?”

The woman shrugs, sipping her coffee.

“I may have bombarded their editor with a relentless email campaign, but details.”

Chuckling, Ray shakes his head. "She’s got the Farley hustle. I like her."

I smile, but stay focused. “When’s the interview?”

“Next week. They’re sending a writer and a photographer.”

Nodding, it sinks in that is a great opportunity. The kind of thing that could give us the boost we need. But yet, my mind flickers, uninvited, to Stella.

She’s a photographer. But there’s no way…

I shake my head. Not happening. Get over it, man.

The meeting wraps up thirty minutes later. I’m feeling better about our marketing; Ray confided that he’s had these struggles too, so there’s no need to worry.

The article should do us wonders. It will put us on the map, and that’s exactly what we need. There are only a handful of indoor climbing gyms here in the circle city, but not all of them are created equal.

This will be the first time I’ve ever been interviewed. Maybe Maddie can find out what they might ask so I can prepare. My mind jumps to the photographer.

Leaning back in my chair, I exhale slowly. Phone in my hand, I study it. I could look her up. But then…there’s nothing to look up.

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