Page 43 of Duke It Out
We arrive at the site office, where Theo’s bent over a laptop having a Zoom call with a screen full of faces. I keepmyself well out of sight. There’s duty, and there’s getting dragged into never-ending corporate bullshit with jet lag.
“Excellent. She’s tied up in a cast iron NDA so whatever comes out won’t be a problem.”
It’s an unfortunate image, one which leads my mind down a path that’s not entirely appropriate for a work setting. The idea of Edie tied up?—
I press my fingers to my temples. A fleeting image of Edie, naked and tied to the antique iron bedframe flickers into view, that long tumble of red hair spilling out on the sheets and her curves?—
I suppress a groan.
“Rory? You okay? Headache?” Phoebe’s voice drags me back to reality as we head for the car. “Is it the heat?” She slides into the back seat and looks at me quizzically, a concerned expression on her face.
Fuck knows what she’d say if I told her what I was actually thinking.
Four hours in, and crashing feels inevitable. Jet lag has sunk its teeth in, and the only option is to push through.
The walk across the office reveals everything expected – sleek, modern, sustainability-certified, with precisely manicured landscaping and spotless stone walkways. Outside, electric cars line up beside rows of bike racks. Inside, each room is nearly identical, differing only in size: open-plan spaces filled with dark wood furniture and muted green walls breaking up the uniformity.
A mug is taken and filled with more coffee, though even Columbia’s finest is barely working on my tiredness right now. It’s best not to think about what time it might be in Loch Morven. Here, it’s edging past five-thirty.
“So, we’re just waiting for the final permits for the daycareand the co-working spaces. Hopefully your presence might help kick some arses into gear. We’ve had some pushback from locals, worrying about traffic.”
I raise an eyebrow.
“Yes, I know, the irony wasn’t lost on me either. If they left their Priuses at home and walked to their breathwork class we’d have nothing to worry about.” Phoebe snorts. “Anyway, we’ve got a lot of good buzz from community leaders, and they’re the ones that matter. Once again, you’ll be able to make a difference there.”
“I’m beginning to feel like some sort of good luck mascot.”
Phoebe shoots me a look. “Don’t knock it if it gets us across the line.”
Theo pulls up a final report on the massive digital display.
“Last one, you’ll be pleased to hear. So this is a list of everyone involved – investors, politicians, philanthropists. These are the great and the good who’ll be expecting to see you on Wednesday for the gala dinner.”
I chug the coffee and put the mug back on the counter. “And after that?”
“After that, we’ve got the community meeting. It’s going to make a massive difference having you here for that, so really, we owe that interfering bastard of a journalist one.”
I groan.
“Oh yes, and we’ve pencilled you in for lunch with him on Monday. We’re going to give him an exclusive behind the scenes, sweeten him up with some fascinating facts and then hand you over as the piece de resistance.”
“Nice to know my value.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose for a moment, trying to focus.
“You know what I mean. God knows it’s a hell of a lot easier doing this job now you’re officially in charge, not trying to run the ship while your father?—”
Theo shoots Phoebe a look.
“Sorry, excuse my Northern lack of tact.” Phoebe grins.
I smirk briefly. “Don’t apologise to me. That’s why we hired you. I’ve no time for corporate bullshit.”
Theo presses a button, and the display screen goes blank. “And even less so after a night on the red eye, I should imagine. Did you get much sleep?”
“Enough.”
“Well fuck off and get some more. I’m going to take advantage of you while you’re here, and much as you hate it, we need to play the game.”
