“Pardon the interruption, sir.”
“What’s up, O’Connor?” I glance at the petite strawberry-blond who’d served in Iraq as an army MP around the same time I was in Afghanistan. Kelsey O’Connor might have come home and joined a police unit Stateside after her recovery, but the loss of her right arm from hand to elbow and most of her right leg limited her job options. She was elated with my offer of a spot on the Baine security team. “And you can stop calling me sir. I’m Gabe, same as I’ve been since those months we spent together in PT at Walter Reed.”
She gives me a crisp nod. “Thanks, Gabe. I just wanted to make sure it was okay if some of us head out for a quick bite for lunch?”
“That time already?” I stand up from my desk andwalk around it. “Yeah, go on. You mind bringing something back for me? Any kind of sandwich would be great.”
“Sure, no problem.” I hand her some money for my food and she glances at me as we walk out of my office, heading for the spacious lobby of the sleek Baine tower. “Are you coming to tomorrow’s game?”
If there’s a wheelchair basketball game tomorrow night at the veterans center, that means today must be Friday. I’m taken aback to realize how fast the week has gone. And now I’m reminded of a different weekend obligation I’d give anything to avoid. “Gonna have to miss the game. I’ve got a cookout at my folks’ place tomorrow. Big party for Shane’s promotion to commander.”
She smiles, aware of some of the strife that exists between me and my old man. “I’m glad to hear you’re going to spend a little time with your family. Broken fences shouldn’t stay that way forever. Sooner or later, someone’s got to be willing to mend them.”
I grunt. “That some kind of home improvement show life logic you’re hitting me with, O’Connor?”
She laughs. “Hey, don’t knock my guilty pleasures. Everyone has a vice or two.”
Don’t I know it. If I’m not careful, I’ll have to add the name Evelyn Beckham to my list.
O’Connor walks beside me in silence for a beat. “So, is Jake going to be at the cookout too?”
“I have no doubt.” I swivel a questioning look at her. “Why?”
“No reason, really. Just wondering.”
If we weren’t already in the lobby, I’d probe for a better answer than that. Although O’Connor’s slightblush tells me all I need to know. No way. The last thing I want to think about is my older brother, the unapologetic player, getting within striking distance of a sweet girl like Kelsey O’Connor.
As she and I approach the desk we find the two other fresh hires waiting there, chatting with Luis, whom I’ve promoted to my old post full-time. As O’Connor and I approach, Nick’s limousine rolls up to the curb outside and he exits the backseat of the black vehicle along with Beck.
“Holy shit,” one of the new guys murmurs beside me. “Dude, that’s Dominic Baine.”
I smile at the unvarnished awe in that simple statement. I get it, even though I’ve gotten accustomed to breathing the same air as the almost legendary corporate titan I call a friend. I glance at O’Connor and the others who’ve only been on board for a couple of days. “Look sharp. You’re about to meet the boss.”
Nick and Beck stroll into the lobby, wrapping up a conversation that has both of them chuckling. I stand with the new members of my team and give the two executives a nod in greeting.
“Afternoon, everyone,” Nick says, his sharp blue eyes traveling from me to the group all standing at attention. “These must be the latest additions to Baine’s security team, Gabe?”
I incline my head. “Dominic Baine, Andrew Beckham, I’d like to introduce Kelsey O’Connor, Joe Rodriguez, and Mitch Hawkins.”
“Welcome to Baine International,” Nick says, smoothly shaking O’Connor’s prosthetic hand first, then moving on to greet the others.
Beck follows suit, and for a couple of minutes thetwo men engage the new hires in easy conversation about their first days on the job and offer them suggestions for the best lunch places nearby.
After O’Connor and the others head out to eat, Nick claps me on the shoulder. “Great work on the security assessments this week, Gabe. Damn, I wish I’d had you on the team years ago.”
“Thanks,” I reply. “I’m just glad to be part of the team now. I’m happy to be of use any way I can.”
Beck gives me a wry grin. “You may have spoken too soon.”
“We’ve just returned from the youth recreation center in Chelsea,” Nick says.
I nod. “I know the one.”
It’s a new property under the Baine umbrella of real estate holdings in the city, a spacious community campus that Nick conceived of and built for a neighborhood without a lot of resources. Not with any intent to turn a profit, but because it gave him personal satisfaction. He created the rec center because it was a good thing to do, the right thing to do. And I know from talking with him that the Chelsea center is only the first of many he plans to build.
“The security system for Chelsea is top-notch,” I remark. “I didn’t note a single element in need of improvement. Unless you’re about to tell me I missed something.”
“No, your report covering the center was spot-on,” Nick says, then a smile tugs at the edge of his mouth. “How do you feel about zoos?”
