Night Smoke Read Online Free PDF Page B

and sported a salt-and-pepper toupee that he naively believed was his little secret.
    “Atlanta looks the best, though Chicago and LA are gearing up.” He gestured to the report on her desk. “I worked out deals with each location for inventory transfers. Not everybody was happy about it.” His lenses glinted like diamonds when he set them back on his nose. “The store manager in Chicago defended her stock like a mama bear. She didn’t want to give up one brassiere.”
    Natalie’s lips twitched at his drawling pronunciation. “So?”
    “So I blamed it on you.”
    Natalie leaned back in her chair and chuckled. “Of course you did.”
    “I told her that you wanted twice what you’d told me you needed. Which gave me negotiating room. She figured you should filch from catalog. I agreed.” His eyes twinkled. “Then I told her how you considered catalog sacred. Wouldn’t touch one pair of panties, because you wanted all catalog orders fulfilled within ten days of order. You’re inflexible.”
    Her lips twitched again. In the eighteen months they’d worked together on this project, she’d come to adore Melvin. “I certainly am.”
    “So I told her how I’d take the heat, and half of what you ordered.”
    “You’d have made a hell of a politician, Melvin.”
    “What do you think I am? In any case, you’ve got about fifty percent of your inventory back for the flagship store.”
    “I owe you. Deirdre?”
    “I’ve run the projected increases in payroll and material expenses.” Deirdre Marks tossed her flyaway ginger braid behind her shoulder. Her slightly flattened tones were pure Midwest, and her mindwas as quick and controlled as a high-tech computer. “Also the outlay for the new site and equipment. With the incentive bonuses you authorized, we’ll be in the red. I’ve done graphs—”
    “I’ve seen them.” Mulling over her options, Natalie rubbed the back of her neck. “The insurance money, when it comes through, will offset that somewhat. I’m willing to risk my investment, and add to it, to see that this works.”
    “From a straight financial standpoint,” Deirdre continued, “any return looks dim. At least in the foreseeable future. First-year sales alone would have to be in excess of …” She shrugged her narrow shoulders at Natalie’s stubborn expression. “You have the figures.”
    “Yes, and I appreciate the extra work. The files at the south side warehouse were destroyed. Fortunately, I’d had Maureen make copies of the bulk of them.” She rubbed her eyes, caught herself and folded her hands. “I’m very aware that the majority of new business ventures fold within the first year. This isn’t going to be one of them. I’m not looking for short-term profits, but for long-term success. I intend for Lady’s Choice to be at the top on retail and direct sales within ten years. So I’m certainly not going to take a step back at the first real obstacle.”
    She flicked a finger over a button when her buzzer sounded. “Yes, Maureen?”
    “Inspector Piasecki would like to see you, Ms. Fletcher. He doesn’t have an appointment.”
    Automatically Natalie scanned her desk calendar. She could spare Piasecki fifteen minutes and still make it to the new warehouse. “We’ll have to finish this later,” she said with a glance at her associates. “Show him in, Maureen.”
    Ry preferred meeting friends or foes on their own turf. He hadn’t yet decided which category Natalie Fletcher fell into. He had, however, decided to swing by her office to get a firsthand look at that part of her operation.
    He couldn’t say he was disappointed. Fancy digs for a fancy lady, he thought. Thick carpet, lots of glass, soft-colored, cushy chairs in the waiting area. Original paintings on the walls, live, thriving plants.
    And her secretary, or assistant, or whatever title the pretty little thing at the lobby desk carried,worked with top-grade equipment.
    The boss’s office was no surprise, either.