Page 41 of The Ranger
Those and scooters are popular in the office.
“That’s Jeremy.”Todd thumbs over his shoulder.“Works in the creative department.You should meet him.Big picture thinker, comes up with crazy ideas that we end up having to scratch our heads and work out how to turn into reality.”
Jesus.
While I love technology, I have no idea how they actually create it.That’s way outside my wheelhouse.Give me a rifle any day.
I stop at my office door.“Thanks for the tour.”
“No problem.See you at the research and development meeting later today.”
I walk in and sit behind my desk and stare at the door, thinking.Chen raised a few red flags, but at the same time, Todd seems too chill for my liking.
I need to get a timeline for this prototype and when things could escalate.I’m not relaxed at all.For all we know, that material could already be here.
I need to find out if it has arrived into our warehouse.We can’t trust anyone from this point onwards.
An hour later, I am ninety-nine percent certain it hasn’t, but I call Josh and discuss it.
“I’m putting security in the plant.Nathan knows it's happening.They will be there within the hour.”
Thank fuck.
Having eyes across everything on my own is getting way too much given the stakes here.
“The shipment is heading to Arlington, Virginia, to the Department of Defense,” I tell Josh.“It’s six weeks from delivery.Until they create that prototype and test it, it won’t go into full production.”
“No, but they only need one to copy it,” Josh reminds me.
Shit.
Just as I end the call, my phone beeps.
Scar: Appointment changed on Thursday to one p.m.It’s okay if you can’t make it.
She says that every time.
I’ve never missed one in four months, and it irritates me that she thinks I don’t take it as seriously as her.Just because the baby isn’t growing inside me, it doesn’t make it any less mine.
Or important.
Cole: I’ll make it.
Scar: It’s fine.
Cole: I know.I’ll be there.
The phone rings.
God give me strength.
“H—”
“You don’t have to come to all of them, Cole.No one is waiting at the end of this with a trophy for you for dad of the year.”
I grind my teeth.
“Well, that ship has already passed, even if there was, so I think we both know I’m not striving for it.I’m quite happy with my silver star.”
