Exposed (Tropical Nights) Read Free Page B

being overly deferential. It had the affect of making him feel at ease with her. Maybe she was savvier than he had first thought.
    “And I appreciate the opportunity to more thoroughly introduce my company to the readers of Economy Today . Hanlon Enterprises has traditionally operated quietly, away from the public eye, but I realize that’s no longer desirable in today’s climate of social media and increased information flows.”
    Ms. Hoffman looked a little startled at his statement, which Leo found odd. She seemed about to say something, but then his phone rang. “Excuse me a second,” Leo said as he picked up the receiver. He knew it was rude to take a call with her there, but he had too many negotiations balancing on a razor’s edge right now to let his phone go to voice mail. “Leo Hanlon,” he said into the phone. It was Harry, wanting clarification on Leo’s instructions for a patent application he wanted to file. Leo gave him a few quick details before telling the attorney he was in a meeting and would call him back. “Sorry about that,” he said once he had hung up the phone. “As I was saying, I’m glad for this opportunity to introduce my company to the public. I’ve planned for you to spend the next few days with me. I’ll show you around the offices, introduce you to my team, have you sit in on some meetings. We can even take a day later this week to visit the hangar in Jersey where our jets are assembled. I’ll try to accommodate whatever access you need for the story.”
    “ That’s perfect,” Ms. Hoffman said. “That should give me all the details I need for the article.”
    Leo saw that the journalist still looked a little uncomfortable . He was about to ask her if there was something else she would require for the article when his phone rang again and he saw he had calls coming in on two lines. He realized he needed to end his meeting with Ms. Hoffman so he could put out whatever fires were burning at the other end of those calls. “It was nice meeting you, Ms. Hoffman,” he said as he stood and extended his hand to her. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning. Grace will show you out.” He spoke politely if a bit abruptly.
    Ms. Hoffman shook his hand. “Nice meeting you as well,” she said, and then she left his office. Leo watched her go, wondering what it was going to be like having her around for the next few days. He determined it probably wouldn’t be all that exciting, which was fine by him. Leo had spent most of his life making sure it was devoid of messy complications and attachments. The last thing he needed was a woman showing up at his office and distracting him. It was good that she wouldn’t cause any waves.
    T hen he put Rachel Hoffman out of his mind as he picked up the phone, ready to get down to business.
     
     
     
    “She did what ?”
    Rachel could perfectly picture Allison’s expression of outraged surprise on the other end of the phone. “Karen told Leo Hanlon the story was for Economy Today . I’m sorry, she only ‘let him believe’ I still worked for the magazine,” Rachel imitated Karen’s voice as she mimicked her words of explanation.
    “And how did that happen, exactly?”
    “She told me that when she called him to set up the interview, she explained my background and credentials, including that I worked at Economy Today . She says she just didn’t mention that I had been laid off from that magazine and was now working at New York Exposed . She insists it’s not really lying. If he assumes the story is for Economy Today and not New York Exposed , it’s not her fault.”
    Allison snorted, and Rachel noticed with some consternation that she somehow managed to make even that sound elegant and sophisticated. “That’s pretty sleezy, even for Karen,” Allison said. “What did Hanlon say when you set him straight?”
    Rachel was glad Allison couldn’t see how sheepish she looked just then. “Well …”
    “You didn’t correct him?” Allison