Page 95 of Power Move
“I just need to get a spot on his schedule about the London trip,” I said.
“He’s very busy, Miss Pavlak.”
“I am aware, but this is coming from Claire,” I said, annoyed.
“He’s very busy.”
“I know that. Can you get me fifteen minutes or not?” I asked.
“He’s not some friend you just call up and he jumps to help you, right?”
“No, Meg,” I said. “It’s far too complicated for that. But this is coming from us in InfoSec. I need to speak with him.”
“Maybe Ms. Nguyen should come on herownaccord?”
I set my jaw. “I asked a yes or no question, Meg.”
“I don’t like your tone, Miss Pavlak?—”
“Excuse me,” Davey poked his head out. “Is there an issue?”
I glared at Meg.
Flatly, she answered, “Miss Pavlak is demanding an audience. I’ve explained you’re very busy. She has become aggressive.”
“I doubt she’s aggressive, Meg,” Davey said. “I can speak to her now.”
He held the door as I stepped in.
“Is this good or bad?” Davey asked.
“It’s bad to the point I want to strangle an old woman,” I said.
“Oh, Meg? She’s old-fashioned. She was my dad’s assistant for at least twenty years, Eva.”
“She thinks I’m some silly child who is monopolizing your time. It needs to stop.”
Davey sat on his desk and rubbed his temples. “I will speak with her, okay?”
“If it’s going to be like this when we have a legitimate incident?—”
“I know, if something happens with the twins?—”
“I meant acyberincident. A major incident,” I said.
“Oh, shit. Yes. Work.”
His mind was anywherebutwork.
“Look, as much as I donotwant to go to London right now, Claire’s kid is injured. She wants to be in Chicago for the surgery. She asked if I could go. The D/CISOs are covering for her as per usual. At least here. They need me on the road covering for Daphne unless you have a better idea.”
Davey smiled. “Wait, you don’t want to go to London? C’mon, it would be fun, right?”
I winced, “Fun?”
“Sure. We get to take the big plane and stay at Daphne’s place. It’s beautiful.”
“Davey, I left London in a panic. I’m returning there two minor people bigger. I don’t really think I’m the one you should take. Is it appropriate? What if someonesayssomething? It could kill the deal.”
