Deadly Odds Read Online Free PDF

eye his way and Don waved him off.
    Shitting elephants? Everything Kate had heard about Don Sickler was true. A total throwback. He’d already called her honey and maybe doll would be next, but there was something refreshing about Don Sickler and his complete lack of political correctness.
    “Whatever it is,” Ross said, “we’re at Ms. Daniels disposal.”
    He met her gaze, those rich dark eyes giving her chest a little whump-whump . Wow. She needed to start carrying a fan. This man bypassed hot and went right to scalding.
    “I’m sorry. This isn’t how this was supposed to go.”
    “Not your fault. Just tell me what you need and we’ll make it happen. I’ve had my assistant clear my schedule for the afternoon. Where do we start?”
    Chilly. Gone was the charming man who’d flirted with her at blackjack. Pity. She’d rather enjoyed the banter. She couldn’t blame him. His boss had just destroyed his day. And if she intended to get cooperation from these men, she’d have to smooth things over. Go to work . “I’ll make you both a deal. Ross, how about you give me a tour of the facility and then I meet with Don regarding surveillance. That way I won’t tie up both of your afternoons. Does that work?”
    Don shot out of his chair. “Works for me.”
    The three of them filed out of Ross’s office into the outer hallway where Marcia circled her desk, clipboard in hand. On cue, Ross reached for the clipboard. “Whatcha got?”
    “A few things.” She glanced at Kate then back to Ross. “One is that thing we talked about this morning. The other is a request from Barb for one of her whales.”
    Ross signed the first document on the clipboard then flipped the page and scanned the next one. His mouth dipped to a frown. “Seriously?”
    “Yep.”
    “He’s a piece of work this guy.”
    He signed it, handed the clipboard over. “What else?”
    “I moved that meeting regarding the poker tournament, but I can’t get hold of your three o’clock yet. You might have to do that one.”
    “That’s fine. Thank you.”
    “And the other meeting—the monkey guy? He’s tomorrow.”
    Kate burst out laughing. Couldn’t help it. That monkey thing sounded interesting.
    Ross turned to Kate and grinned. “We have a guest about to ask me if we can accommodate his monkey. I will most likely agree because said guest will drop a million dollars at our tables.”
    “A million-dollar monkey,” Kate said.
    Don shook his head. “We’ll put a cage outside. He’s not bringing that thing inside. No way. That’s all I’m saying.” He inhaled, and then let it out. “Now I’m aggravated. Over a monkey. Find me when the tour is over.”
    Don went one direction and Marcia swung back around her desk. “Your schedule is a war zone. Total disaster.”
    “Find me!” Don yelled.
    Ross held his arms wide. “As you can see, I’m highly respected around here.”
    Crazy bunch.
    Marcia rolled her eyes. “Also, on the employee issue—”
    “—the disability payment?”
    “Yes. There’s a problem with the paperwork.”
    Ross looked at her, his face more than a little unforgiving and she threw up her hands. “I know. It’s maddening. I have calls into everyone.”
    “Marcia, the woman was in tears yesterday. Her landlord is threatening to throw her out. Where the hell is her check?”
    “Clerical error. Someone transposed two numbers.”
    “This woman can’t pay her rent because someone goofed up a spreadsheet? We can’t fix that?”
    “Well, yes, we can. It’s taking some time.”
    Apparently not satisfied with that answer, he whirled and headed back to his office. A minute later he returned with a folded slip of paper and held it to Marcia.
    “No.” She crossed her arms. “You’re not doing that. I’m working it out.”
    He dropped the slip of paper, one that looked an awful lot like a check, on her desk. “I signed that. Please find out who to make it out to.”
    “I won’t.”
    He hit her with a flashing