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Ben
Lainey’s words of encouragementare the reason I’m walking into the headquarters of Eagle Eye Security this Thursday evening. She told me I should ask for a spot on the Money Guard contract, and I’m going to. No matter how much I tried to psych myself into talking to Randall, though, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Instead, I’m going over his head and talking to my former boss, Dirk Eagle.
It’s a risk. Randall is going to hate the fact that I’m talking to his daddy, but the opportunity is too good to pass up. Eagle Eye Security is conducting training for some new recruits tonight and I’m hoping like hell this means Dirk will be on the premises. Of course, there’s a good chance Randall will also be around, but hopefully I’ll avoid him if I head straight to Dirk’s office.
Raelene, the receptionist who has been with the company since long before I started, smiles when she sees me. “Hello, Ben. How are you, love?”
“Not bad, Raelene. You look great. If I’m not mistaken, someone just celebrated turning forty-five. Am I right?”
“Pfft,” she bats me away, but her face lights up and she blushes. “You know I turned sixty.”
“You don’t look a day over forty, Raelene.”
“Oh, get on with you. What can I do for you?”
“I just want five minutes with Dirk. Is he in?”
“Yes, but make it quick. He’s due out back in five minutes.”
“Will do.”
I knock on the door of Dirk’s office before cracking it open.
“Come in.”
Thankfully, Randall isn’t in here with Dirk. “Hey, Dirk.”
“Ben,” Dirk says, looking up from his computer. “What can I do for you?”
“Actually, I was hoping you had a minute to talk about the new contract with Money Guard.”
The look on the old man’s face as he points to the empty seat doesn’t fill me with optimism. Before Randall took over, I got along with the boss-man okay. Now, however, his grey eyes seem to scrutinise me and find me lacking.
“I have about five minutes before I need to start training,” Dirk prompts.
“Right,” I start, sitting on the edge of my seat, my hands clasped. God, this is hard, asking for what I want. But nothing is going to change if I don’t. “I heard we’re starting with Money Guard in two weeks.”
“You heard correctly.”
“I was hoping I’d be part of the contract. You know I’m qualified for the job.”
Actually, I’m more than qualified. I used to guard some of the more prominent businessmen in this country, even actors and musicians.
“Those sorts of decisions rest with Randall. He’s managing Eagle Eye Security now. I sent out a memo.”
“Yes, I got the memo. I just haven’t heard anything from Randall about the assignment and I know—”
“No offense, Mr Armstrong, but when you’re cutting out on work early, and not honouring the contract we’ve assigned you to, I’m not sure why you’d think we’d have a place for you on our new contracts.”
Fuck, that little pissant has been in his ear about me.
“With all due respect, Sir, I haven’t been cutting.”
God, this isn’t school, yet I feel like I’m in front of the headmaster all over again.
“Call the clients,” I say. “They’ll tell you my work is up to par.”
“Randall is the one dealing directly with clients these days. You know that.”
