Page 2 of Nigel

"She deservedthe tongue lashing and she is accustomed to my rage, which is notusual. I am often as cool and calm as a cucumber." She waved ahand. "You just started working here Miriam and you will getused to how things work. I value my employees and believe in treatingthem as equals.

If I could manage todo this on my own, I would not need people, would I? You and theothers are as much a part of this place as I am. And I never buy intothe saying that the clients are always right. That's a load of crap."

"Thank you, Avaand thanks for the chance you have given me. I was out of work andbecause of my age, no one would hire me. You have given me a chanceto make something of my life." Dark brown eyes moistened withemotion and caused some discomfort on Ava's part. She was not big onfeelings and preferred to unravel in private.

"None of that,"she ordered briskly. "Now go and get some coffee and pastries inthe break room and go to your next assignment."

"Yes ma'am."Miriam shuffled to her feet with a sniff and left the office.

The door was leftopen, because she wanted the staff to know that they could come toher any time. Ava stared after the woman thoughtfully. She was in herseventies and should be retired.

But Miriam had cometo her pleading for a job. When Ava had heard her circumstances, shehad not hesitated. The standard background check had been done ofcourse, her clients were over the top rich and she was not going tospoil her reputation by putting someone in their homes who was goingto line their pockets.

She paid well andgave bonuses for excellent work. She was sympathetic but was by nomeans a push over.

Her health plan wasexcellent and she actually cared about those in her company. Sheworked hard and tirelessly to make the company into somethingworthwhile and the hard work had paid off. Her client list wasimpressive and her service exemplary.

She did not go out tohouses like she used to when she just started out, but she kept intouch with the clients. What kept them coming back to her was thespecial side benefits she offered. She would make notes of what theyloved and send something to them on special occasions.

Tickets to the Opera,some flowers, a card with a handwritten note and other trifles thatwere greatly appreciated.

Turning her attentionto the files on her desk, she went back to work.

*****

Nigel studied thedesign in front of him with a keen eye. It was excellent of courseand he could find no fault with it. The place was a hotel that hadbeen gutted by fire five years ago. It was old and had been aroundsince the eighteen hundreds.

He was fascinated bythe original design of the place. That was his specialty, taking oldand abandoned things and turning them into works of art. Thechallenge was what drove him, that made him stay up at nights andscour the world looking for original pieces to bring the place backto life.

The hotel was in aprime area. His team had done the demographics and the research. Healso demanded efficiency and thoroughness, nothing less. It was muchmore than just acquiring an asset that would spin off into making aprofit. Hawthorne Industry prided itself on perfection andreliability.

He looked up at thediscreet knock. "Come in." He gestured his very able andreliable assistant in as he continued to pore over the blueprint."Fill me in," he continued without looking up.

Mrs. Jennifer Lakeswas highly professional and prided herself on anticipating heremployer's needs before he even voiced them.

She had been workingwith the brilliant man for the past ten years and for her very highsalary, she was at his beck and call twenty-four seven. It helpedthat she was a widow, having lost her husband fifteen years ago.

"The shipment isfinally on its way and you have several appointments out of theoffice." She paused, perusing her device even though she alreadyknew everything inside her head.

"What is it?"He looked over at her, hazel eyes quizzical.

"Your annualphysical."

He grimaced at that,an impatient expression on his face. "Reschedule it. I don'thave time."

"You already didthat twice. Dr. Gerald expressly said to tell you that this time itis cast in stone."

His eyes glitteredwith temper. He hated doctors, and even though Gerald Burke was aclose personal friend, that was no exception. "Okay fine,"he growled. "What time is the torture session?"

Mrs. Lakes allowed afaint smile on her carefully coated lips. She was a petite andcompact woman who flattered her slight frame by wearing understatedelegant suits.

She was a terror whoguarded her boss' office like a lion guarding its cub and did notencourage gossip. She was loyal and completely committed and wouldwalk through fire for the man seated around the baronial desk.

"Noon. You cango from there to your meeting with the investors. I have booked abooth at Magnifique."

"Excellentchoice." He rubbed a hand at the back of his neck.

"Is the painstill acting up?"

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