Page 2 of Now Until Forever
Eliana caught it. “Go. I’ve got it.”
“I’m late for a meeting with Doctor Birth and Doctor Sanchez.” She barely slowed, hurrying down the hall. “Love you.”
Eliana rolled her eyes and called out, “See you at lunch.”
“If I don’t get fired,” Carolena called back, her heels clicking on the concrete floor.
On one side of the wall was a cork noticeboard covered in flyers for local people hiring out their services. Music lessons, babysitting. The calendar took up one half of the board, listing events at the museum, though it seemed perpetually out of date.
She hung her coat in her locker and clipped the ID badge on the left front pocket of her white Security shirt. Black slacks. Uninspiring black shoes.
In the brief stint she’d done at high school, back in Salt Lake City, Utah, she’d been teased for being so much taller than everyone else—even the boys. Eventually, though, the taller ones had towered over her. Now that she’d been five foot ten for years, she’d decided that if she considered height her superpower, then it was. Simple as that.
Being the daughter of Kenna Banbury and Oliver Jaxton was the beginning of an identity, but not all of who she was—or what she could become. Security guard didn’t really fit. “Tall person” didn’t really cover it.
Eliana pushed through the side door into the lobby. The fastest route to the director’s office. She checked her watch. Ten minutes.
As you can see from my record…
Eliana had the whole speech prepared. All the reasons she should be given the promotion to head of security, a position that meant she would have full access to the vault and the answers to her questions. Everything she’d come here looking for.
I know I haven’t been here long, but I’d like to remind you…
No, too pushy.
No doubt you’ll recall the incident with that volunteer. The one I caught stealing and quietly apprehended.
Yeah, that was better.
She checked her watch again and walked faster, pushing through two sets of doors. Entering the code for the employeearea. Striding quickly down the hall, then up another flight of stairs tucked in a dark corner.
By the time she reached Director Caughton’s office, she was breathing hard.
I can do this. I am the new head of security.
When she couldn’t come up with anything else, she knocked. Up in the corner of the wall, the camera whirred as it turned toward her. She looked at it and waited.
From inside the office she heard a faint, feminine, “Come in.”
Eliana expected to find Sylvia Caughton alone. Instead, an older man sat across from the director. He was in front of the mahogany desk wearing a suit, the jacket over the back of his chair. A full gray beard on his face. Sleeves of his shirt rolled up. He looked like the older patriarch of a crime family.
Eliana shifted back. “Sorry, I didn’t realize you were already in a meeting.”
“Close the door, Hope.” Sylvia waved with a pen. “Ms. Adams, this is Anthony Williamson.”
“Tony.” The guy stood, causing at least one bone to crack. “Hope, is it?” Something flickered in his expression.
Eliana looked at Sylvia.
The director’s smile softened. “I’ve read him in on your…situation.”
“I’m not sure what to say,” Eliana admitted.
Anthony—Tony—waved her to a seat, and they both settled into the two chairs in front of the desk. “I’ll say, I was surprised to find out that none other than the child of Kenna Banbury was working here.”
“There’s nothing special about me.” Eliana squirmed in her chair. “I took this job so I could find out about my history. Learn more about where I came from.”
Tony nodded slowly.
