Page 18 of Coral Memories

Kurt splayed his hands on his desk. “We met when I gave a presentation at her alma mater. Since then, she has sent her brightest minds to me. I need smart young women with talents other than typing and filing.”

Was this one of the trick questions Miss Carter had warned her about? “I excel in mathematics. And science.”

“And English?”

“Top marks.” She wasn’t bragging—that would be unseemly. She was only stating a fact. Mrs. Windsor had rigorously enforced the study of English grammar, composition, diction, and rhetoric in her class and insisted students elevate the art of speech and pronunciation.

Kurt laced his fingers. “And what do you do in your spare time?”

“I read, and I like to solve puzzles.” She relaxed a little; she had practiced this response.

A smile touched his lips as if he found that amusing. “Like crossword or jigsaw puzzles?”

“Oh, they’re alright. I meant codes and ciphers. My young brother and I once created a secret written language.”

The other man looked up with interest, and Kurt said, “Your brother sounds as smart as you are.”

“Yes, he was.” Ginger was caught off guard this time, so she didn’t elaborate.

Kurt acknowledged that detail with a nod. “Good problem solvers are hard to find. Not many people look beyond the obvious.”

“No, sir. But they should.”

Kurt chuckled. “You’re direct. I like that. Now, I’ll tell you about the project I need help on. Do you know the meaning of data encryption?”

“It’s a process of encoding information in cryptography.” Relishing the conversation, Ginger leaned forward so she wouldn’t miss anything.

He lifted his brow and nodded. “I’m a consultant to the head of IBM and branches of the military. I work on projects for the company involving the development and use of new technologies. I imagine this is why Miss Carter recommended you so strongly. I often travel to New York and Chicago, so you’ll need winter clothes if I hire you. Can you manage that?”

Ready for any change, she looked at him squarely in the eye. “The travel or the wardrobe?”

Looking slightly amused, Kurt steepled his hands and peered at her. “Both.”

“I can manage both, sir.”

He grinned. “You pay attention to the details. That’s good. You’ll meet a lot of interesting characters. Starting with my friend from Harvard, Bertrand Delavie.”

“How do you do?” she said automatically as the other man acknowledged her, touching his forehead in a gracious gesture.

Kurt motioned toward an open door past Bertrand. “You’ll work in that adjoining office.”

Ginger wasn’t sure what he meant. “Do you wish to hire me?”

“If you want the job, I just did,” Kurt replied with a small smile. “You may start on Monday.”

“I can start today.”

“Monday will be soon enough.” Kurt jerked a thumb toward his friend. “I have to show this wandering cowboy around town.”

“You’re a cowboy?” she asked the other man, intrigued. The description didn’t fit with his manner or attire.

Bertrand grinned and wagged his head at his friend. “Kurt means that I’m always eager to travel, among other things. I work in diplomacy.”

“Which means Bertrand spends most of his time outside the country,” Kurt said.

“Only to stay clear of you, old man.”

Bertrand spoke with an accent that wasn’t from this coast. She had never met anyone like him. How he spoke and lived was fascinating. And he was a good ten years older than she was. She returned her attention to her new boss. “If that’s all, I should be on my way so you can continue your work.”

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