“That sounds like a plan,” nodded Shaelyn.
“We should have a much better indication of how we should proceed after the midweek meeting with Reflex. Then we can get the entire team involved.” The corner of Trill’s mouth lifted as she glanced up at Bryn and Riley. “I don’t suppose a special dispensation would be possible so the Infinity crew can have their phones while in the APS complex, oh fearless leaders?”
Bryn snorted as she raised a dark brow at the Geek Crew team lead. “Cut the fearless leader crap,broki.” Quickly, she explained to Infinity that, while all nine of the APS management team were equal partners and co-owners in the business, she and her twin were the two who oversaw general operations, so they caught a lot of flak over it.
“I think something could probably be arranged so they can keep their electronics with them while on-site, as long as they don’t object to Teagan and Remy deep-scanning their devices as a precaution. While I have absolutely no reason to believe there would ever be an issue, you know how we are when it comes to security.”
“Not a problem at all,” Dani assured them. “As a matter of fact, it makes me feel even better about working so closely with APS. You’re evidently just as freaky paranoid as we are.”
“I have another proposal,” added Shaelyn. “Why don’t Trill and Dani take charge of coordinating information between our two organizations? That way we each have a single point of contact.” A murmur of assent ran around the room. “In the meantime, we’ll jump on our plans as far as the next few days go and get ready to take these motherfuckers down.” Her browneyes grew wide as she covered her mouth with the tips of her fingers. “Oooh, sorry. Language.”
The APS team, as well as Dani and Indi, burst out laughing. “ThankChrist,” snickered Jaime as she shook her head wryly. “At least Bryn, Riley, and I can curse in Spanish if necessary. These fuckers were probably busting a gut trying to maintain decorum.” Grinning, Shaelyn playfully crossed herself in mock relief.
After making arrangements to return their electronics to Infinity after they were scanned, both organizations prepared to disperse and head in different directions. “That meeting midweek will be key,” remarked Blake as everyone was leaving. “Brooke is at home working, so I’m going to run over and give her an update. Indi, why don’t you come with me so I can at least show you the Wendy House right now—your own key cards will be ready in the next hour or so, if I know Teag and Remy—then meet Brooke so we can start talking about the Reflex meeting? We’ll grab your weapon on the way out.”
As the two organizations were filing out the door, Blake chuckled, “Reflex has absolutely no clue about the freight train that’s bearing down on them right now. We haven’t had time to fill Infinity in on the infamous APS book either. Here’s hoping our new friends are ready to place their bets, though. I have a feeling the odds on this one just might be the greatest in APS history.”
Chapter 17
“I don’t understand,” Brooke said slowly, her mind spinning, after hearing the reason why Reflex had wanted the meeting with her. It was Wednesday—she and Indi were sitting in the back part of the Cask & Canvas microbrewery, as Brooke usually did when she had a meeting with the four partners and Gene. “You were so keen for me to move forward as quickly as possible with completing the label art so we could go into production without any delays. I had complete approval on the concept pieces, and Gene had chosen one to be used for our design. The final artwork is halfway done.
“But now? You want to start the processover? From the very beginning? Do you have any idea what that is going to cost or what that’s going to do to your timeline? I work fast, but I’m not a miracle worker!”
Over the last several days, Brooke, Blake, and Indi had spent considerable time together dissecting the Reflex project, trying to gauge the reason they had requested the meeting. Indi, whom Brooke had discovered she liked very much, had asked intelligent questions as she familiarized herself with the craft microbrewery industry at a high level. While Brooke had suspected that Reflex was going to play games with the timeline, she had been unable to figure out their motivation until Indi had made a very good point.
“Something is screaming in my mind that Reflex hit a snag with their grift somewhere, for whatever the reason,” she had said slowly in her quiet way. “Because their timeline has been thrown, they now need to buy more time so they can slow thingsdown and regroup. Delayingyouis going to be their key to doing that, Brooke.” Her lavender eyes had been contemplative.
“The most logical assumption is that Gene Wheeler has started kicking his feet a little bit. Vonn—Kilgore—is a master of manipulation, but his success hinges on his ability to play on the emotions of his marks…or to exploit their vulnerabilities so he can extract information or gain their trust. Maybe with the health of his wife so rapidly improving, Gene’s brain cobwebs are finally blowing away, so he’s asking questions he never did before.”
“That tracks,” Blake had nodded.
Now, Brooke—secure in the knowledge that she had a protection operative armed with a .38 revolver at her side—continued to push Reflex for answers. As they had suspected, Gene was not in attendance at the meeting. “This simply isn’t done. Brooke Marino Designs has other clients with important projects on the work schedule, and I am not about to reschedule or inconvenience any of them to accommodate ahighlyirregular request.”
“You’ll do as you’re told,” snapped Jack, his cold eyes narrowing icily. “If we say you need to start over, then you need to start overwithout giving us any lip.”
Oh. Fuck. NO that jackass didn’t.
Brooke’s wicked Marino temper burned incandescent as she leaned forward, her gray gaze red-hot with anger. “At the risk of sounding completely unprofessional, you can take your marching orders and shove them where the sun doesn’t shine, Jack,” she retorted in return, then cast her undeniably pissed expression over the group. “That also goes for the rest of you as well. According to the terms of my contract, I have every right to disengage and void this agreement for circumstances such as these. This is your notice that I am exercising that right.
“Never, in all my years of graphic design, have Ieverbeen subjected to this level of abuse by a client!” Standing, she gestured to a quiet Indi, who stood as well. “You can consider our contract cancelled. Reflex will be receiving a bill for the work performed to date. Please be advised Iwillbe engaging my lawyer if I am not paid what is owed.”
“Hang on. Hang on.” Thom held up his hands hastily, smiling ingratiatingly at Brooke’s granite-hard expression. “Ms. Marino, you have our deepest apologies for our overreaction.” Brooke snorted, folding her arms belligerently over her chest. “Reflex is so anxious that this project be perfect, we sometimes lose sight of the bigger picture. Honestly, at this stage of the game, no one understands the Cask & Canvas business model the way you do. Losing you would be a disaster for everyone involved.”
In for a penny, in for a pound. Let’s see how they like THIS.“I fail to see how it would be a disaster forme.” She arched an eyebrow in contempt, her hot anger still apparent in her gaze. “Walking away from Reflex gives me the opportunity to assure my apprentice here that this isnotnormal behavior within the graphic design industry. While conflict is hardly unheard of, this level of unprofessionalism most certainlyis.” Shaking her finger at them, she continued to glower. “Our energy is best directed where it will be valued and appreciated. This has been so far removed from that, I haven’t even the words to describe it.”
“What would it take for you to agree to stay?” Clay, surprisingly, spoke up next.
With a look of disdain at Jack, Brooke said, “One point of contact.One…and certainly nothim.” She waved her hand scornfully at Jack. “No more of these group meetings where it’s five against one. No more dragging me on-site, then wasting my time with inanebullshit. You want future meetings?Iwill tell my contact when an on-site meeting is required, with only thecontact and Gene in attendance. Outside of that, status updates can be accomplished via email.
“Quite frankly, I need at least a day to think about continuing on. You should be thankful my compassion for what Gene and Sandy have been through makes my agreeing to stay even a remote possibility, I’m so furious.”
Brooke beckoned to Indi a second time. “I will call you on Friday morning, Mr. Geralt, and let you know what I have decided. At that time, should I choose to remain, you can let me know which one of you will be my permanent contact. And, to ensure I’ve been perfectly clear…nothim.” Even as she glared at Jack, she couldn’t help the small bubble of amusement that arose within her from the fuming look on his face. “We’re done here.” Unceremoniously, she turned on her heel and walked toward the front door, Indi following quietly behind.
After she and Indi had driven away, the Infinity operative laughed softly. “Teagan sure wasn’t kidding about your temper, was she? I have to tell you, Brooke…I was exceedingly gladIwas the one who was armed this time, not you. I don’t think Reflex would have stood a chance if you’d had a weapon on you.”
Her face rapidly became serious as she touched the comm in her ear. “Shae? Can you get APS and Dani together with you and let everyone know we need to meet as soon as possible? Brooke and I are heading back to their complex.
“In a nutshell, Reflex is forcing a huge project delay…as in, they want Brooke to start completely over on this project from ground zero.” Indi paused for a moment as she listened to Shae’s response. “I know…what the fuck, right? They clearly didn’t want my friend here to ask them any questions either, because they steered the conversation away from explaining themselves. Gene Wheeler was left out altogether. He wasn’t eventhere. And Rob Vonn didn’t say the first word during our discussion. One of the other associates did all the talking. Whatever else is going on,you can bet they’ve hit a gigantic snag somewhere in their grift and they’re scrambling to buy time. I want to know what the hell is up.”
