“The installation manager has been doing his best, but there’s some kind of equipment malfunction that’s going to require replacement parts. Getting them is going to take time, which will delay the drilling restart. I wouldn’t bother you except...well, as you know, this isn’t the first delay we’ve experienced lately.”
“Problems always arise in purchasing a project this big.”
“I know, but...”
Reese’s hold tightened on the phone. “What are you not telling me, Derek?”
His sigh came through the phone. “I really hate to put this out there without any proof, but I’m worried these delays aren’t accidental.”
Reese sat forward in his chair. “You think someone is sabotaging the rig?”
“I think it’s possible. That’s the reason I called. Maybe someone doesn’t want the deal to go through, or a competitor wants to buy the platform out from under us. It’s a helluva good price.”
“Which we’ve got completely tied down. No way can Sea Titan back out.”
“Maybe they’re having second thoughts, sabotaging the deal themselves.”
It was possible, he supposed. Or one of the whack jobs marching around out front in a clown mask could be involved, which raised the question, how far would the protesters be willing to go to make their point?
“Or it could just be a run of bad luck,” Derek said.
“Let’s hope that’s it. The Poseidon’s an important part of our latest market-share strategy. It represents months of hard work by a lot of good people—to say nothing of the money we’ve invested in the option. I’m glad you took the initiative on this. Keep me in the loop and let me know if any other problems come up.”
“Will do. Thanks, Reese.”
Reese could hear the relief in his VP’s voice. It was never easy to call the CEO with problems, or even potential problems.
He thought of the people waving signs in front of the office. They wanted to stop the purchase. They were using the deal to bring attention to their cause. He understood that, in many ways agreed with their concerns.
A notion that brought another thought squarely to mind. So far the NTSB—National Transportation Safety Board—hadn’t been able to pinpoint the cause of the helicopter crash. It was some kind of equipment malfunction, of course, but there had been no indication of a problem before the day of the crash.
He wouldn’t discount Derek’s phone call.
But he hoped like hell his VP was wrong.
Kenzie spent a leisurely day at home with Griff. She could tell he was feeling better because he was starting to get restless, pressing her to let him go outdoors.
“Mo-om.” He dragged it out like a two-syllable word, making her smile. “My head doesn’t hurt anymore and it’s boring just sitting around doing nothing. Can’t I at least go out and ride my skateboard in the driveway?”
Unlike some kids who spent every hour on their digital devices, Griff was an outdoor kid. He loved sports and any kind of outside activity, like hiking and baseball and especially swimming. Kenzie was usually grateful. Not today.
“The reason you’re staying home from school is to give yourself a chance to heal. You hit your head hard enough to knock yourself unconscious. The doctor wants you to take it easy.”
“He said I was only out a few seconds.”
“I know, but still...”
Griff grumbled something she was glad she couldn’t hear.
“If you want some fresh air, why don’t you take your iPad out on the patio? You can sit in the sun and play a game or do a puzzle or something. It’s not too hot today.”
They had a small fenced yard behind their town house. Someday she wanted to buy a house with a big backyard. It was one of the reasons she was grateful for her high-paying job.
Griff shrugged his shoulders. “I guess.” He ambled away, resigned to taking it easy at least for the next few hours. Kenzie watched him go, the fear she’d experienced yesterday still haunting her.
At every opportunity, she had walked up and simply hugged him, or ran her fingers through his thick dark brown hair. It carried the same touch of red as her own, his eyes the same golden amber. He was finally losing his baby fat, growing taller and leaner, more like his father.
Though that was the end of the resemblance. Griff was sweet and loving, always helpful and optimistic. Not demanding, mean-tempered, and completely self-centered, as Lee was. She liked to think Griff got his good qualities from her side of the family.
