The Adventurer Read Online Free PDF Page A

shocked. Devon was merely amused. Over the years, Crandall Monroe had repeatedly attempted to recruit Devon into the family business-voluntarily or otherwise His father had tried everything from bribery to coercion to blatant manipulation. During Devon’s last trip home, Crandall had gone a step too far. After discovering his father’s devious scheme, Devon had cut his visit short and abruptly returned to the field.
    The two men hadn’t spoken since.
    Now, grumbling and looking somewhat embarrassed, Crandall feigned interest in riffling the papers in his lap. “What brings you back to L.A.?” Devon leaned casually against the wall. To Crandall, a sick man was a weak man and if there was anything in the world that Crandall Monroe despised it was weakness. So to spare his father the humiliation of acknowledging his illness , Devon skirted the subject entirely. “I had to take some time off-too much accrued vacation. ” It wasn’t exactly a lie, although from the corner of his eye he noticed Jessica’s jaw sag. He jammed his hands in his pockets and rocked back on the heels of his worn combat boots. “So, how’s it, “
    Crandall took off his glasses. “Fine, thank you. “
    “Good. ” Devon nodded and casually glanced around the homey room. ” That’s good. ” “You’re looking… well, ” Crandall said, although his cool gaze inspected Devon’s rumpled attire with obvious disapproval Jessica seemed bewildered by the strained interaction between father and son. “Devon has only just arrived. He came directly from the airport. ” ‘ Irritated that she felt a need to defend him, Devon quelled her with a look.
    “Didn’t you say something about messages ?”
    “Yes, of course. ” She reached into her smart suede shoulder bag and extracted a clipped stack of pink notes. ” “I’ve handled most of these already. Marketing overestimated sales of the interactive diodes this quarter so manufacturing is scrambling to correct production quotas. “
    Crandall put on his glasses and flipped through the stack. “
    “Have schedule revisions been completed? “
    “Not yet. They should be finished by the end of the week. “
    “See that they are. ” He dropped the message stack on the table beside his bed. “I’ll expect an explanation of how such incompetent projections can be avoided in the future. “
    “Marketing is already working on it. “
    “Good. ” Crandall sank tiredly back against the pillow ” y and gave her a weak smile. Thank you, Jessica. As usual, you’ve handled everything brilliantly. ” “I learned from the best. ” Returning his smile, she affectionately patted his waxy hand. “Now you and Devon have a nice visit while I go make a few calls. ” After informing Devon that she’d wait for him in the main lobby, Jessica left and a strained silence shrouded the room. Crandall plucked at the bedclothes. Devon shuffled uncomfortably, trying to think of some benign small talk that wouldn’t lead to the hostile confrontation that seemed to be inevitable whenever they were together.
    Crandall cleared his throat. “How long is this vacation of yours? “
    “Hmm? Oh. A few weeks, I guess. ” He didn’t mention that his abrupt departure had so angered his employer that the holiday might turn out to be permanent. Instead he added, “Until I get a new assignment. ” “You’ll be staying at the house, of course. ” Crandall’s tone broached no argument and none was offered. Despite misgivings about returning to his father’s sprawling estate, it was still the only home Devon had ever known. Except, of course, for his months at Blackthorn Hall. He supposed that shouldn’t count, but in many ways the sparse dormitory shared with his friends had been a refuge , a place where he’d felt needed and loved. “Gunda will be pleased to see you, ” Crandall said suddenly “I’ve missed her, ” Devon said, noting but not dwelling on the fact that his father had avoided expressing