Page 94 of The Genius
“Advanced Technologies pay an Nman to be my protector. He’s always on stand-by for whenever I need him, which isn’t very often since I stay at the office most nights. I could ask Charlie to hire you for that job instead.”
“Shelly, no…” I held up both hands. “You’re carrying my child. Of course, I’ll protect you. What kind of man do you take me for?”
“Someone who is smart enough to let Advanced Technologies pay him for something he would do for free.”
“But what if I’m at the school and you need to go somewhere?”
“We’ll figure it out. I’m sure you have friends who could step in if there was an emergency, but I don’t think it’ll be an issue.”
“They would really pay me to protect you?” The concept was so strange to me that I needed her to confirm it again.
“Yes.”
“How much are we talking about?”
“I don’t know, but anything helps, right?”
“Yes, of course.”
“How much does Storm pay for the room now?”
“Two hundred a month, but you wouldn’t have to pay anything. I would be delirious if you’d move in and let me be close to you and our child.”
“Two hundred?” Shelly angled her head. “I’m no expert on Northland money, but that sounds very cheap. Is it because he’s your friend?”
“No, it’s the normal rate.”
“It can’t be. I’m paying six hundred for my room and that’s only a bit bigger.”
“Do you have your own bathroom?”
“No.”
“Do you have a view?”
“Yes, but it’s nothing special.”
“Is the location exceptional?”
“No. I don’t think so.”
My face split in a grin and I elbowed her. “Some genius you are. You’re paying triple the rent and you had no idea.”
“I was told it was a reasonable price to pay.”
“By whom?”
“By personnel.”
“Who’s that?”
“That’s our human resource department. They set it up for me. One of the ladies working there is the sister of the woman I’m renting a room from.” Shelly closed her eyes the minute she said it and spoke on an exhalation: “Which of course explains the high price.”
“What about the hired protector? Is he connected to that same sister you live with?”
“Yes, he’s a friend of her husband.”
I kept laughing. “Let’s hope he’s getting paid triple too.”
