Emmett chose that moment to return.His eyes widened and his cheeks pinked.“How’s it going?”he asked, surveying the scene…Bryn with his head now on the table, Giles looking exasperated, and Gunnar examining the empty coffee pot with palpable disappointment.
“Oh, just peachy,” Bryn mumbled into the tabletop.“I’ve learned sixteen ways to say ‘yes sir’ without sounding sarcastic, how to spell ‘paradigm’ without autocorrect, and that Giles is Satan in an Armani suit.Actually, I already knew that last one.”
“I’m wearing Brooks Brothers today, thank you very much,” Giles corrected as if Bryn should know such an obvious fact, straightening his pristine cuffs then adjusting his gold cufflinks.
Emmett set down his laptop.“Maybe we need a different approach.Bryn, what would make this easier for you?”
“A lobotomy?Time machine?Different genetic makeup?”
“I was thinking more along the lines of incentives,” Emmett said.
Gunnar perked up.“Like those dog trainers who use treats?”
“I will end you in your sleep,” Bryn hissed.
“Look, I get it,” Giles interrupted.“You hate my guts and this isn’t your world, but we need you to blend in long enough to figure out what Salvatore Russo is up to and why.”
Bryn finally lifted his head.“Fine.But I need more coffee.And something that doesn’t involve corporate speak for at least the next hour.”
“Deal,” said Giles, glancing at his watch.“How about we work on the non-verbal cues?Like hownotto look as though you want to murder your boss when he asks you to reschedule a meeting.”
“Can’t promise miracles,” Bryn replied.
Warden strolled in.“Any progress?”
“Define progress,” Giles replied.“We’ve moved from complete disaster to impending catastrophe, so…we’re heading in some kind of direction.”
“I understood the term EBITDA,” Bryn offered.“Even if my definition was…creative.”
“He’s getting there,” Gunnar translated, already heading toward the door.“I’m making a coffee run.Anyone else?”
The chorus of “God, yes” was unanimous.“And bring me my incentive,” Bryn yelled after him.“I need treats.”
As Gunnar left, Bryn sighed but picked up his flash cards.“Let’s try once more.At least with this cover, when someone tries to kill me, I’ll be able to politely schedule their assassination attempt between your lunch meeting and the quarterly review.Perhaps I should send a memo to Dr.Templeton.”
“Who?”Giles asked.
“No one,” Warden interjected.
Probably shouldn’t have mentioned that name.I don’t think Giles will be impressed that my biggest fan is a serial killer.
“Dr.EverardTempleton,” Giles mused, his eyes narrowing.“A gentleman with some very antisocial proclivities, if memory serves.”
That got Bryn’s attention.“You know him?”
“Not personally, but I make it my business to know about everyone who might want to kill my associates,” Giles replied.“Professional courtesy.Your hand in interrogations and court cases has inevitable consequences.”
Warden shot Giles an inscrutable look.“Perhaps we should get back to our current problem.”
“Indeed.I’ve planned something different,” Giles said.“Instead of memorizing corporate jargon, let’s focus on your observational skills.”
“Finally, something I’m good at,” Bryn declared.
“Debatable,” Giles murmured.
“The investor reception will have around fifty guests.Your job isn’t to impress them with financial acumen, it’s to watch, listen, and blend in.”
“Like a Swiss cheese plant with ears,” Bryn suggested.
