Collateral Trade Read Online Free PDF Page B

offered.
    “Thanks, I’m beat. Why the hell are they scheduling another system check so soon?”
    Janella shrugged. “I don’t know, but this isn’t going to be just a show and tell. They’re having us move supplies on board.”
    “Shit, better wake me up at six thirty.” Sharell slid her naked body between the sheets. She reached for her tablet, figuring a little more heated nonsense from the heroine’s dilemma might lead to the orgasm she had been denied. Janella got her hooked on the sappy erotic romances, but she would never admit it to anyone else. She fell asleep after rereading the first paragraph three times.
    By the time Janella woke her, the launch pad was busy and board members were already arriving. The young women drove a cart through the caves to the lab and began loading up meal packs for the stupid tests.
     
    * * * * *
    Outside, in the real world, a few puffy clouds floated in the distance high above the farmland below. A miniature town with miniature vehicles seemed contained within the squared plots. Jerome thought it was strange the boundaries never seemed so planned and crisply edged from ground level. The organization, simple and clear, was obvious from a high position, looking down.
    Jerome closed his eyes, folded his hands across his stomach, and considered his evaluated list. He held the highest position, and the miniature towns and cities passing under his jet were insignificant. An hour later, the landing gear lowered and he stretched, glancing out the window to see the approaching airstrip.
    He made hundreds of trips to this secret spot, hidden in mountains within the vast acreage of the secluded ranch he purchased ten years ago. This was the last time he would visit, and he stared over cliffs wondering if his latest young wife was engaged in her afternoon fuck with the ranch foreman. Within a week she would find she was penniless and that her wealthy husband had disappeared.
    “Mr. Tanner, the other board members have arrived. I’ve asked them to wait in the meeting room.”
    “Thank you, Grace. I’ve given the pilot instructions to take off as soon as I’ve disembarked. You should make it back to New York in time for your mother’s birthday dinner.” Jerome reached into his pocket and handed her an envelope. “Buy her something special.”
    Grace smiled. Mr. Tanner was always so thoughtful. “Thank you, sir. If you don’t mind me suggesting, take a little time for yourself when the meeting is over.” Her employer worked long hours, traveling constantly to his different business endeavors.
    “I think I’ll just do that, Grace.” Jerome watched her bottom sway back towards the cockpit. Five years as partners in the Mile High Club, Grace had outlasted two wives and still thought she was his only outside interest. The envelope contained ten thousand dollars, the last of his on hand cash. It was not much for her to lean on until she found another job, but Jerome decided he had given her plenty of other perks along the way.
    Jerome watched his suitcase shuttled to the hangar and heard the jet taking off as he walked into the cavern. He entered the small elevator and inserted a gold pass card next to ‘O’, the Observation Level where the board members’ suites were located. He strode down the stone walkway to the boardroom, managing to conceal his excitement behind his ‘I’m in charge’ expression. Most of his guests were staring out the observation window, with a few speaking quietly at the table. Everyone’s eyes focused on him when he walked through the door.
    Jerome stared back at them. “Where’s Marshall?”
    “Some business problem came up and he’s asked me to fill him in.” Bruce sat down and sipped his coffee. “He’s making noises about increasing his payload, so I didn’t exactly stress the importance of being here this morning. Naturally, he assumes we’ll have the one-day jet lag meet and greet, and he plans to arrive tomorrow. I did a little