Morning After (A Reynolds Security Novel) Read Free

he didn't know what his one o'clock was. He sat down in front of his computer and saw an instant message from Norma.
    "One o'clock is a job interview, details in your inbox." He had to smile, she knew him so well. He opened the resume in his email and did a quick scan. Lou Santiago recently finished a tour with the Army where he'd served in the weapons depot. Ethan liked to hire ex-military not just out of a patriotic duty. But because he knew what it was like to be dropped back into the civilian world and wonder what you were going to do next. That's why he started Reynolds Security, to hire guys just like him. He IM’d Norma to show him in and rose to greet him. He barely managed to hide his surprise when he realized Lou was a woman. 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Chapter 3
    “Good afternoon Ms. Santiago. I am Ethan Reynolds.” He put his hand out and the young woman shook it firmly. “Please have a seat.” He resumed his seat behind his desk and noted the young woman in front of him. She looked very young, but he knew she couldn’t be as young as she looked because she’d been in the army. She was petite and obviously a Latina. Her black hair was pulled back in a tight bun at her neck.
    “So how long have you been out?”
    “Six weeks, Sir.”
    “Not long at all. How are you adjusting to civilian life?”
    “Just fine, Sir,” she said tightly. He could see she wasn’t interested in opening up to him, not that he could blame her.
    “Took me a while, longer than some I guess.”
    “I was back state-side for a few months before discharge.”
    “Oh that helps.”
    “Yes Sir.”
    “You don’t have to call me Sir, Ethan is fine. So here at Reynolds Security we do a bit of everything. From basic sit behind a desk and watch a monitor security to body guard protection. We also do a lot of consulting with individuals and companies on how to make their lives and businesses safer and more secure. Where do you think you would fit into the company?”
    They talked for about forty five minutes but she never loosened up at all. She offered a tight smile where appropriate but she was clearly just going through the motions.
    Finally he leaned forward and put his elbows on the table. “Tell me why you think this interview is a waste of time.” She looked startled for a second but then the calm mask slid back into place.
    “I don’t think you’re interested in hiring someone like me.”
    “Someone like you?”
    “A woman, Sir.”
    “What makes you think that?”
    “I was told that this was a boys club.”
    “No more so than the US military.” He smiled, she didn’t. The look in her eye seemed to say he proved her point.
    “Ah, it was like that, huh?”
    “It was like that.” He looked at her directly for a moment, and then took a deep breath.
    “I take back the comparison then. We are not a boys club. However, we are pretty tight knit; most of us are ex-military so we’ve naturally formed a unit. We have a few female employees, though I admit not many, but that is from a lack of applicants not a gender bias.” The door opened and Jace walked smoothly through. “This is my partner Jace Carpenter. We have a thirty day probationary period while we get a feel for whether or not you can handle the job and you get a feel for whether you want it. Jace here is going to give you a tour of the facility. My assistant will give you an overview packet for benefits. Offer of employment is conditional on passing a drug screen. We have a zero tolerance drug policy.” He stood and offered her his hand. “We look forward to having you on the team.”
    She looked slightly stunned as she followed Jace out the door and he had to smile to himself. She would make it through the probationary period. She was tough. She would be a valuable addition to the company. Ethan stretched and rolled his shoulders. He stepped to the window. His eyes were drawn to the little coffee shop across the street several floors below. Too