RC.

Ch5 ............. M

This morning Carter summoned me to his office. He must surely want to discuss this sabotage story calmly.

Mr. Carter:"Miss White, hello."

T:"Hello, sir."

In my head, everything's mixed up and my heart is getting in the way ...

(Tell him about last night?)

Don't say anything about last night.

I can't get the picture of yesterday out of my head. I want to talk to him about his generosity and tell him how touched I was, but he certainly wouldn't appreciate it if he knew I'd followed him. . .

I fiddle with my fingers while watching him and I decided to keep my discovery to myself.

(Or I should tell him about last night.)

I think I should say something ...?

T:"Sir, I ..."

He's searching for some papers and stacking them nervously. This is obviously not the right time for a calm discussion.

Mr. Carter:"I don't have much time. A journalist wants to write an article about the company but I'm not available."

Mr. Carter:"Wait a second."

Without looking up at me, he flicks a switch on his digit phone and leans forwards to make himself heard.

Mr. Carter:"Samantha, call Mr. Barns and shift tonight's appointment."

The secretary barely has the time to reply before he flicks the switch back off.

Mr. Carter:"I have something on at the end of the city, I need you to take care of the interview. Can I count on you?"

His two grey eyes looks up at me as he sorts his documents out.

T:"Okay, no problem."

Firstly, you never say no to Ryan Carter. Secondly, I had better not get it wrong this time!

I find it rather elegant of him to trust me again after the last fiasco.

(He's not so intransigent, after all.)

Perhaps he's not as intransigent and severe as he tries to make believes, after all. He accepts mistakes. Though ... Something tells me that he will not accept the same mistake twice.

Mr. Carter:"Very well, he'll be here this afternoon."

Our conversation seems to be already over.

I feel frustrated, that was quick! I need my daily dose of Carter!

T:"Sir . . . about the sanitation works. . ."

He looks at his cellphone frowning.

Mr. Carter:"A freighter should be leaving within the next few days. I can't do any more for now."

That's already good.

T:"It's already a lot..."

Mr. Carter:"A lot ?"

Carter stares at me as if I'd said something stupid.

Mr. Carter:"Miss White, we have promised drinking water to those villagers."

T:"I know..."

I sense that this problem is bothering him ...

T:"What are you going to do about the people at fault?"

Mr. Carter:"Aside from reinforcing the safety of the site by using guards, I don't see what else I can do ..."

T:"You aren't going to carry out an investigation?"

He smiles at me.

Mr. Carter:"An investigation? Do you think that the authorities there will worry about sabotage when they have much more vital problems to solve?"

(The supply of drinking water is a vital issue ..)

T:"The supply of drinking water seems to me to be a vital subject, yet ..."

Mr. Carter:"Don't play on words, you know very well what I mean."

I shut up for a moment.

(Ok, What if someone had decided to delay the project?)

T:"No ... But I mean ... if someone has decided to delay your project, it will no doubt happen again."

Mr. Carter:"That's why I am making sure they won't get the chance."

He turns away from his desk, briefcase in his hand, and stands in front of me. A whiff of his perfume comes and tickles my nostrils.

Mr. Carter:"If you've finished your investigation, I'd like to go."

He gives me a smirk, half amused, half exasperated, whilst looking at me, titling his head slightly to the side.

I understand, my questions bother him.

Irritated, I look away, folding my arms and let him pass.

Beneath his air of calm, I feel that something is tormenting him this morning. I've never seen him so impatient.

Mr. Carter:"Have a nice day, Miss White."

T:"Have a nice day, sir..."