The Burning Point Read Online Free PDF

Book. He loves the fact that his one and only daughter can be presented to society. Not bad for a guy from Little It'ly." She dug into her silver handbag for her compact. "Not that I expect society to be impressed, but now that I've buttered Dad up by being a good little deb, I think the time is right to ask for a summer internship with Phoenix Demolition."
    "What if he says no?"
    "He won't. Ever since I was a tyke, I've known I'd work there when I grew up."
    "I do not understand your desire to blow things to bits."
    Kate hesitated. "The buildings are going to come down anyhow. Isn't there more dignity in going with one last, glorious bang rather than being slowly smashed to bits with a wrecking ball?"
    "When you put it that way, it does sound more interesting. But better you than me. I hate loud noises." Laurel turned and peered over her shoulder to check the back of her gown. "In these fancy white dresses, we look like wedding cakes."
    "Speak for yourself." Kate powdered her nose, then snapped the compact shut. "When I get married, my cake will be chocolate."
    "I want two slices when the day comes. Still, there's something to be said for tradition. This particular ritual--presenting young people to society--is centuries old. It survived the revolutionary '60's and swinging '70's, which is pretty impressive."
    "To tradition, then, even if the 'Baltimore bachelors' we're introduced to tonight are old enough to be our fathers!" Kate caught up her full skirts and curtsied deeply. "And now it's off to sweet-talk Dad into giving me that summer job."
    Laughing, they left the ladies' room and were presented to the creme de la creme of old Maryland society. As the evening progressed, Kate had to admit that even though the tradition was archaic, it was also fun. By the time her father collected her for the father-daughter dance, she was bubbling with confident good humor. As they moved into the music, she asked, "Does the cotillion live up to your expectations, Dad?"
    He gave her the high-voltage smile that could charm a stone statue. "I know you're just humoring me, but yes, it's what I hoped for. I read about this ball in the newspaper when I was a kid, and it was like...reading about Versailles. I never thought I'd have a daughter who would be part of this world." He brushed a kiss on her forehead. "You look gorgeous, cara . Just like your mama."
    "And you're the most distinguished looking father in the room." It was the honest truth; he'd always been handsome, and the gray at his temples only enhanced his appearance. She felt a rush of pride. In a room full of men who maintained their fortunes by shuffling papers, Sam Corsi actually did things. He'd invented a business, and was the best in the world at it. Even the King Louis who built Versailles couldn't have said that.
    Time to make her pitch. She fluttered her lashes, half teasing and wholly in earnest. "Dad, I want to be a field intern at PDI this summer. It's time for me to start really learning the business."
    His smile disappeared. As he spun her around to avoid hitting another couple, he said, "I thought you'd given up that foolishness. You haven't mentioned it in years."
    "I was biding my time," she said cheerfully. "I understand why you didn't want me doing fieldwork when I was in high school--high explosives aren't to be taken lightly. But now that I'm in college, you can't say I'm too young. You couldn't have been much older than I am now when you learned blasting."
    "That was different. I was in the army corps of engineers. I was also a man, and demolition is a man's business. That's why the company will go to Tom eventually."
    She'd known he'd say that. "Tom doesn't want to spend the rest of his life wrecking buildings. He's only working for you this summer because he can't resist the prospect of computerizing the office. Since he doesn't want PDI, the company should come to me. I'm as much your child as Tom."
    Ignoring what she'd said about her brother, he said,