Road to Casablanca Read Online Free PDF Page A

surely wouldn’t hurt.
    “Here is a copy of your itinerary.   Just let me know if it changes.   Here is your passport, and a list of meetings you have scheduled for next week.”
    “I won’t be back until the middle of next week.”
    “Yes, sir, I scheduled everything for Thursday and Friday.”
    “Thank you.   Then I guess that’s all for now, other than my phone call.”
    Gloria turned to go, a concerned look on her face.
    “I know you wanted to wait, but I need to call the driver now if he’s going to make it on time.”
    Erick nodded and felt his jaw tighten again.  
    “Go ahead, and close the door behind you.”
    Erick tipped back his scotch and was on his way to grab a second when the office door suddenly burst open.
    “Dad? What are you doing here?”
    “I’m here to talk about this.” Forrest Redmund slapped the latest issue of the National Enquirer down on Erick’s desk.  
    “The National Enquirer ?   What does that have to do with me?”
    “Take a closer look, son.”
    Erick picked it up, amazed to see he made the front cover and even more stunned by the headline:  
    Millionaire Playboy Beds Porn Star at Local Love Nest
    Erick laughed heartily and handed the paper back to his father, who looked at him through squinted eyes, his mouth turned down in a frown Erick recalled from childhood and which had lost its menacing effect long ago.
    “Dad, you don’t believe everything you read in these rags, do you?”
    Erick poured himself a drink and offered another to his father, who pushed it away.
    “I don’t want that, Erick.   What I want is for you to clean up your act.”
    “Dad, Candy is not a porn star.   She’s a model.   Big difference.   Besides, we’re just friends.”
    “I don’t care what you are or who the little bimbo is, Erick! What I do care about is the future of the company I built with my bare hands and the dozens of calls I’ve received since board members saw the brazen byproducts of your latest exploits while waiting in line at their local grocery stores!”
    “Dad….”
            “Erick!   I want you to get rid of these bimbos and find yourself a decent woman, do you understand?”
    “You can’t make me…”
    “I can disinherit you.”
    Erick looked at the man who raised him with disgust and wondered how they could possibly be related.
    “You’ve got to be kidding.   What has gotten into you, Dad?”
    The phone rang and Erick raced to pick it up before his father could reply.
    “Redmund.”
    “I have Ms. Diana Lovemore on the line, sir.”
    “Thanks, Gloria, put her through.”
    Erick motioned for his father to take a seat, happy to see the old man obey.
    “Ms. Lovemore.   What news do you have for me?”
    “I flew to Dallas this morning and met with the young woman I told you about and I’m pleased to say she is available for the dates you requested, providing you agree to your original stipulations of salary and wardrobe requirements.”
    Erick looked over at his father who was busy reading an article about a Florida woman giving birth to a sea monster.
    “Yes, that all sounds wonderful.   I assume that means she will be leaving Saturday to arrive Sunday?”
    “Absolutely.   I have her passport ordered and her ride to the airport arranged. She will be there on schedule.”
    “Very good.   I can’t tell you what a lifesaver you’ve been.   Thank you for your call, Ms. Lovemore.   Goodbye.”
    Erick hung up the phone, grinning from ear to ear.
    “Dad?”
    Forrest Redmund put down the paper and stared gravely into his son’s eyes.
    “Yes?”
    “I think I just found the solution to all our problems.”
    “How could that be?”
    “I think I finally found the perfect woman, the kind of lady who will make you and everyone on the Board satisfied once in for all.”
    “You better find something, Erick, or mark my words, there will be trouble in paradise.”
    Erick laughed again despite the fact he knew how much it irritated