“That’s some shit,” Thompson approved.
Having no other choice, Connor answered the call.Rather than all the noise instantly ceasing, the music coming from the computer gently faded.“I’m done using your prototypes,” Connor said, instead of greeting his old friend.
“I’ll take them,” Thompson said.
Connor scowled and Thompson’s expression sobered.“I’ll be handling some filing in my office,” he said.
Thompson closed the door behind him.
“What?”Julien demanded.“You don’t like my theme song?It’s gone through a lot of revisions.We’re up to eighty-three percent of respondents saying it’s very identifiable.Astounding number.Thinking about using it on a game, as well.Imagine, me as a video game hero.I wasn’t happy with the jawline.They didn’t quite do a good enough job.”
“How the hell did you know I wasn’t in the middle of something pressing?”Connor demanded.
“That’s not possible.I hadn’t called you yet.”
“There are things in the world other than you that are important.”
A moment of silence followed.“There are?”
Having no other option, Connor sat back.“What gives?”Besides the fact Julien wanted to own a piece of technology developed by Donovan Worldwide.He insisted it would give his next generation phone an edge in the Holy Grail of electronics.Battery life.
“You tell me.There’s only one reason you’re going to Caroline Street with one Ms.Lara Marie Bertrand this afternoon.”
Christ.Even Connor didn’t know Lara’s middle name.And wait… “How the hell do you know…?”He trailed off as tension settled at the base of his skull.“The calendar program,” he guessed.
“It’s something, isn’t it?We developed the initial app for a restaurant in New Mexico.Thompson agreed to beta test an upgrade for corporate use.”
“And gave you direct access to my personal life.”
“It’s for your own good.I was planning a trip to Houston, so I thought I’d see when it was best for you.”
“Instead of calling and asking?”
“And inconvenience both of us?What would be the point in that?”Julien countered.“But then I figured out you were getting married, so I wanted to talk about that.Hence the call.”
“I never said I was getting married.”
“You and Ms.Bertrand are going to the courthouse building today.There are a limited number of offices there.”
“All civil,” Connor countered.
“True.And I considered that, actually.But there’s a seventy-two hour cooling off period in your state.Which means a logical time for you to get married would be Thursday or Friday.And you blocked Friday afternoon out for personal reasons.And…tomorrow, after hours, you have a meeting with the BHI board of directors.”
“You should have been a spy.”
“I would make a good one, wouldn’t I?”
“Still, assuming Lara and I are getting married is a big stretch.”
“And Ms.Bertrand has been added as an administrator on your calendar.The only people who get that right are personal assistants and spouses.”
He thought to ask if there was anything Julien didn’t know.But the answer was obvious.
“I assume my invitation is in the mail,” Julien said.
Connor sighed.Sitting back in his chair, he explained, “It’s a business matter.”
“Ah.”
