“A plant that can fetch coffee and take notes,” Giles corrected.
Warden sighed.“We need to practice some scenarios.What happens when someone asks you about Giles’ latest acquisition?”
Bryn straightened and adopted a distant expression.“I’m afraid Mr.Delacourt’s calendar is quite full, but I’d be happy to schedule some time for you to discuss that with him next week.”He paused.“How was that?”
Giles looked surprised.“Not terrible.”
“I can do deflection,” Bryn said.“It’s the pretending-to-care-about-profit-margins part I struggle with.”
Gunnar returned, balancing a cardboard tray of coffee cups and a white bakery bag.“Incentives have arrived,” he announced, setting the bag in front of Bryn.“Courtesy of the staff restaurant.”
Bryn peered inside.“Chocolate croissants?You’re forgiven for the dog trainer comment.”
“I have a call pending with a business associate in Miami,” Giles said.“A real one that I’ve not been able to reschedule.Bryn can sit in, take notes, observe.”
“This feels like punishment,” Bryn grumbled, reaching for a croissant.
“Consider it immersion therapy,” Giles said.“You’ll need to recognize normal behaviors to spot abnormal ones at the reception.”
Fifteen minutes later, Bryn found himself in Giles’ makeshift ‘office’—the end of the conference table—surrounded by Emmett’s three computer monitors.Emmett, Warden and Gunnar had made their escapes muttering various excuses, to Bryn’s disgust.Now he watched Giles transform before his eyes.Gone was the sarcastic pain in the ass Bryn had been sparring with all morning.In his place sat a focused executive, rapidly scanning financial reports.
“Take this down,” Giles said without looking up.“We need clarification on the Houston proposal, specifically regarding the distribution channels mentioned in section four.”
Bryn scribbled on his pad, oddly fascinated by this other version of Giles.
“Also, I want detailed information on why the San Diego factory numbers are fifteen percent below projections.Don’t let them blame it on supply chain issues again.”
“Where did you learn to do this?”Bryn asked.
Giles glanced up.“Do what?”
“This…” Bryn gestured vaguely at the setup.“The corporate shark thing.It’s like watching someone put on a mask, but from the inside out.”
The corner of Giles’ mouth twitched.“Power has its own particular thrill.You might be surprised.Working at The Facility is…pleasurable, but once my most interesting subject was taken away from me… Well, I enjoy the finer things in life, which necessitates other income streams.”
The video conference chime interrupted them, and Giles brushed non-existent lint from his shoulder.“Watch and learn.Try not to look homicidal when the CFO starts talking.”
“No promises,” Bryn whispered.For the next forty-five minutes, he observed in reluctant admiration as Giles navigated complex negotiations, switching effortlessly between authoritative demands for information and subtle flattery.When the call ended, he leaned back in his chair with a satisfied expression.
“I’m disturbed by how good you are at this,” Bryn admitted.“It’s making me question whether you’ve been living a double life all along.I thought your main interests were science and psychology.”
“Your view of me to date has been somewhat limited by your circumstances,” Giles said.“What did you notice about the dynamics?”
Bryn tapped his pen against his notepad.“The older guy on the left, Reynolds?He’s the real decision-maker even though he barely spoke.Everyone else in the room with him checked his reaction before answering.”
Giles nodded, looking impressed.“Good.Nothing happens without his say so.What else?”
“The finance guy was lying about the production delays.His explanation changed slightly each time you circled back to it.”
“Absolutely.That’s exactly the kind of observation you’ll need at the investor reception so we can target who you touch.People betray themselves in small ways.”
“Like how you touch your cufflinks when you’re about to say something particularly cutthroat?”Bryn offered.
“I do not.”
“Three times during that call, including right before you eviscerated their proposal.”
“Interesting theory,” Giles said, moving his hands away from his sleeves.“Perhaps you’re more observant than I gave you credit for.”
