“I’d still like that dinner.” She blushed.
A half hour later, he walked her out of the clinic, and at her persistence, accompanied her to her office. “Call me when you’re done, Curly. I’ll be able to make a better plan.”
“Wes, thank Ken, and thank you.” She kissed his cheek.
* * *
Ellie found Brandon working with the group. Once they noticed her, everyone turned to check on her. “I’m okay. Let’s keep working.” She led them outside.
Cord Wyatt leaned against a tree. “What’s the plan, fearless leader?”
The way he looked at her made a chill run down her spine. “I’d like to practice a few exercises I find effective. We will start with getting to know each other. Share our names and some deep breathing. After that, I’d like to put the horses in the small ring. You tell me what you see.”
“You think that kumbaya stuff will work with war-scarred veterans?” Marcia Roland, another therapist, asked.
“Marcia, you were tight with Addy. Do you want to be here?” Eleanor asked.
The young woman chewed on her cuticle. “Not really. Now that I’m here, I don’t feel this job is a good fit for me.”
“Honest answer. Get out of here. Pack your stuff up, head to the main building and report to Mr. Clarke.” Eleanor blew out a breath and sent Ken a text about Marcia Roland.Wes is not going to like this.
“These men and women all have good bullshit meters. If you’re not committed, they won’t be either. Anyone else?” Eleanor surveyed the group. “Good.”
Eleanor’s quick action with the two employees and her mock exercises brought the group together. “Okay, that went well. Let’s get the horses from the barn into the small ring.”
* * *
Wes returned to his office. When he was about to tell Kip and Troy what happened, Ken entered the office and stepped to attention.
“Geez, kid, relax, you’re an executive now too,” Kip said.
“Boss, Ellie fired Marcia Roland too. We are in the process of doing the pack-ups and walk-outs. I need to hire two more.”
“Do you know why she fired her?” Troy asked.
“Failure to believe in the work. Lack of dedication to the job. I asked for a report by the morning,” Ken advised.
“Forward me a copy of her reports. Call Pete Walter. Have him bring down another set of resumés. This time, I’ll do the interviews,” he huffed.
The door flew open with a bang. “Yes, I understand.” Mike Johnson, Deputy CEO of Chase Security International, walked inside while talking on the phone. “Clark, out,” he ordered.
“Yes, sir.” Ken almost fell over his feet leaving.
Wes stared at his boss. “Can I get you something?” he offered. “A Xanax?”
“I’d love a shot, but no, I’m good.” He sat heavily. “This is for senior executive staff and our legal department’s ears only. I’ve been on the phone the whole ride down. Wes, we got two subpoenas from the FBI. The first one was for Master Alamo’s statement regarding the Saoirse Kennedy case. We complied, but it’s worth mentioning because it was specific to just your deposition.”
“What about the second?” Wes’s gaze narrowed.
Mike blew out a harsh breath. “They asked for a detailed summary for your location for sixteen dates going back five years. Saoirse kicked it up to the DC office and Kieran. We are not complying until the last possible moment. We need to find out what’s special about those dates. And why they are interested in you,” Mike said.
“Should I be worried?” Wes asked.
“Kieran left the hospital to meet with Ian,” Mike said.
“How’s little Colin?” Wes worried.
“Ear surgery in the morning,” Mike said.
