Hurricane Watch - DK2 Read Free Page B

casually. ”Boss get stuck again?”
    Maria nodded. ”Si, a conference call from France. She asked me to bring her a sandwich.”
    Kerry clucked and shook her head, but didn’t say anything. The table talk turned to the latest episode of a favorite TV show, and she joined in cheerfully, pausing to acknowledge the arrival of newcomers at the next table. “Afternoon.”
    “Good afternoon, Kerry.” Duks Draefus settled his tray down, one of his staff at his side. “You are here early today also.”
    Kerry gave the Finance VP a brief grin. “I take an early lunch any time I can. Everything tends to fall apart in the afternoons here.” She turned back to Maria. “Right?”

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    Melissa Good
    “Always,” Maria agreed. “Tomas and I will go see the movies tonight. Have you seen that new one, Kerrisita? With the pig?”
    The others at the table chimed in, and Duks was left to dissect his meatloaf with his staff.
    ”Guess that honeymoon ended fast.” The faintly sarcastic remark made Duks raise his head, and regard the speaker coolly.
    ”Excuse me?”
    Comptroller Selene Advosan leaned closer. ”C’mon, Duks. When she first started, she and the ice princess were tighter than a champagne cork in a bottle. I haven’t even seen them eat lunch together since the New Year. I guess the novelty wore off.”
    The Financial VP chewed his corned beef sandwich thoughtfully.
    ”Never noticed.”
    He shrugged, then glanced over at Kerry, who appeared perfectly at home with her tablemates, and was laughing at something Maria had said. ”Maybe they’re just busy. Dar never did lunch much anyway, and they seem friendly enough.”
    ”Yeah, but I thought we had a juicy one going there for a little while.” Selene sighed. ”I should have known better. Dar’s way out of her league.”
    ”Mm.” Duks dismissed the subject, and concentrated on his lunch.
    Kerry put her tray away, and joined Maria as the secretary ordered a sandwich for their boss. The older woman checked the available options, then glanced sideways. ”What you think, chicken salad?” she inquired, her brow creasing.
    ”Tuna melt, on raisin toast,” Kerry murmured. ”With French fries.”
    ”Aie, Kerrisita!” Maria winced, and gave her an appalled look.
    Kerry shrugged, and smiled. ”Dios Mio. All right.” She ordered the sandwich, and gathered some napkins as it was being made. She took the bag the counterman handed her and clucked, then followed Kerry out the door and to the elevator, which swallowed them up along with several other staff members. At the last minute, running footsteps and a hand between the doors delayed them as Steven Fabricini slid in.
    ”Well, hello there.” He sorted his way through the mailman and two administrative assistants, choosing to lean against the same wall as Kerry. ”How was lunch?”
    ”Fine thanks,” Kerry replied readily. ”This cafeteria’s really not bad. It’s better than most of the restaurants around here.”
    ”Ah.” He watched as the doors opened, and one woman left. ”You live in the area?”
    ”Kendall,” Kerry answered amiably.
    ”Hey, me too.” Steven smiled. ”Seems like most of the building does; either that, or up in Miramar.” He glanced up as the mailman and the other woman left. ”Guess we’re headed to the same place,” he noted, seeing the fifteen button the only one left lit.
    ”Guess we are.” Kerry eyed him. ”Where in Kendall did you end up?”

    Hurricane Watch
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    He told her, crossing his arms. ”It’s a nice little complex, got a clubhouse, and all that.”
    ”That’s not too far from where I am. I like the area. We go rollerblading down to that little bakery on the corner near the mall all the time,” she commented.
    ”Hey, I blade all the time.” Steven smiled. ”Maybe we’ll bump into each other sometime down there. I like that little place.” The door opened and he gestured. ”Ladies first.”
    Kerry followed Maria out, seeing the stiff set of the