Daphne

(33) Fear No Evil

Sam Flynn looked at his guest. He'd never heard of Michael MacDermott before just about an hour and a half ago. He was well informed and claimed to want to invest. The CEO punched a number into his desk phone. A couple of rings could be heard over the speaker, then "Hi, Sam. What's up?"

"Daphne, I've got a potential investor in here who's doing his due diligence by checking us out personally. I want to show him around, but I simply can't. My calendar's clogged with stuff I can't shuffle around or put off – starting in about fifteen minutes – and he's jetting out of town tonight. What's your schedule like – could you take my place and give him the nickel tour, answer any questions he has, etc.?"

"You mean, like for the next hour or so? Let me check..." It was clear to Sam from the keyboard work he heard that Daphne was performing a calendar reorganization in order to accommodate him. A moment later Daphne said "Sure, Sam, no problem. Nothing's on my desk 'till after lunch."

"Great! Come on over!"

"Be right there!" <click>

"Ms. Williams is my protegé," Sam said to Mike. "If you're planning to invest you might as well get to know her – she's probably going to be running things around here before long."

"You're planning to retire soon?"

"No, and don't go around starting rumors about it, either. We just weathered a bad spell with a rotten economy. A whiff about shuffling at the top could cause panic and do nobody any good." He paused and sighed. "Look, I'm just facing facts. I'm not getting any younger and it'll be a lot easier to take a back seat – or even retire – once Daphne's up to speed. Don't let her youth fool you – she's one tough cookie! She just needs a little polishing first. Probably in a couple of years – five tops – you'll be dealing with her. Until then, barring a coronary, I'm at the helm."

As if on cue there was polite knock and without waiting for permission an attractive woman entered the CEO's office.

"Ah, Here she is!"

Daphne wore her trademark effervescent smile with twinkling eyes as she strode across the room over to Sam's desk.

"Michael MacDermott, I'd like you to meet our brightest rising star, Daphne..."

Sam's guest turned ... and she froze. The men watched her face pale and her expression change from confidence to astonishment to fear. Above all, utter fear.

"...Williams..."

Her quaking outstretched hand slowly sagged. One foot searched for a safe retreat... then the other.

Sam looked at Mike. Was he an abusive ex-lover? A stalker? She knows him somehow. Mike looked at Sam. He looks equally puzzled.

Sam shot up. "Mike, excuse us for a moment." He made for Daphne.

"What's going on?" MacDermott asked.

"I'll let you know after I find out myself. In the mean time, help yourself to some coffee and pastries." Sam pointed to the side of his office. "They're over there. Give us a couple of minutes."

Sam hugged Daphne and they turned to the nearest exit; her whole body was trembling. Something is very wrong; the boldest person I've ever met is coming unglued. Whatever it is, I've got to root it out and fix it. Fast. He ushered her out, into the adjacent meeting room, and got a bottle of water. He popped the top off and held it to her lips. Shaking hands took control of the bottle as she sucked down her first gulp.