Page 39 of The Tycoon

Dave came in after Eric left.“Do you want to talk to Anne?”

“Yes.I see no reason not to.”

Dave nodded.“I’ll send her in.”

Anne Adams was short, a little overweight, but well proportioned.Her hair was long, blonde, and hung in a braid over her shoulder, nearly to her waist.

“Have a seat, Anne.I’m Cole Kincaid and this is my assistant Regan Phillips.When you’re comfortable, I’d like you to start with what a normal day is for you.”

Anne nodded and began her story.She said almost the same thing that Eric had.

Cole didn’t interrupt her.When she was finished, he stood.“Thank you for your time.”He extended his hand.

She looked down at it and then up at him.“You had no right to detain us like you did.I’ll never forget it or forgive you.”

Cole lifted a brow.“You’ll find, Miss Adams, that I had every right.Perhaps you should read your contract closer next time you take a job.Now, make arrangements and get off my property.”

Anne’s eyes narrowed.“My pleasure.”She stalked out of the room.

Dave entered the room as Anne left.“What’s with her?”

“She’ll be departing as soon as possible.She’s no longer in my employ.Make sure she no longer has access to any restricted area on the platform.”

“Will do.If you’ll excuse me, I’ll do that now.”Dave walked out.

Regan looked at Cole.“What now?”

“Now, we go back to Denver and find Jerry.”

Around six,Regan and Cole walked to the cafeteria and ate with the employees.Regan could have cut the tension with a knife.No one talked or laughed.The silence was almost deafening.She heard whispers occasionally.Turning toward Cole, she whispered, “Do you think it’s always this quiet in here?”

“I don’t know but I doubt it.I would guess that someone saw us walking this way.No one wants to be the one to get fired over what happened.”

Regan cocked her head.“Are you planning on firing someone?”

“No, but now I wonder if I should, just to get people speaking again.”

Suddenly, a lone man approached their table.He was in his late forties, had graying brown hair, and was slightly overweight.

“Mr.Kincaid?”

Cole looked up.“Yes, I’m Cole Kincaid.Who are you?”

“I’m Arnie Shoemaker.”He was on edge, moving stiffly.He sat next to Regan, across from Cole.

“This is Regan Phillips, my assistant.”Cole pointed.

Regan held out her hand.“Pleased to meet you, Mr.Shoemaker.”

Arnie took her hand.“It’s nice to meet you, too.”Then he held his hand out to Cole.

Cole took his hand and shook it.“Pleased to meet you, Arnie.Now tell me why everyone is so quiet?”

“They…we…are afraid you’ll fire us.I’m really hoping you don’t.Our contracts are up at the end of the month, anyway, so it wouldn’t make much sense.But I guess you know what is best for the company.”

“I have no plans on firing anyone.Only one person, so far, is leaving my employment and that was her decision not mine.I’m simply here to find out what happened.Nothing more.”

Arnie visibly relaxed.“Thank God.Once the word gets around, you’ll find we’re really a pretty friendly group.As a matter of fact, these people are the best I’ve come across, and I’ve been working these platforms for twenty years.”