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“I was under the impression that Mr. Beck doesn’t have a permanent office here.”

“Your information is correct. Mr. Beck has several permanent offices nationwide. Here in Kansas is temporary. He is on the board of the corporation who owns this building, and they have generously made an office available for Mr. Beck’s use when he is in the city.”

In the folder that Nadia had given her, Desmond Beck’s impressive wealth and holdings had been listed in detail. While he was a philanthropist, known throughout the world for the charities he contributed to, his business dealings had been kept under the cover of the prominent names of the lesser-known partners who were willing to take the glare of publicity from Beck, leaving him to remain in the background.

Opening the door, the secretary motioned her forward before entering behind her. Placing a hand on the back of a chair at a small conference table conveniently placed to the side of the room, Haley took the seat he indicated, placing her briefcase on the modern, solid white table.

“May I offer you a cup of coffee or tea while you’re waiting?”

“No, thank you.”

“If you change your mind, just press the button on the intercom. I’m Mr. Beck’s assistant, so if you have any special requests that I can fill, please feel free to ask.”

“I will.”

Looking at her strangely after her fervent reply, the assistant watched as she self-consciously opened her briefcase to take out the portfolio that Nadia had assembled to show Mr. Beck the desperate need their charity was experiencing.

Taking out her cell phone, she glanced at the time, praying without much optimism that Nadia had texted that she was on her way. Gloomily, Haley became even more dispirited when she saw no new texts.

She was going to fail at the endeavor that Haley had no doubt she already had one strike against her. Beck’s visage as the elevator door shut in his face had tendrils of unease coursing down her back. Everything about this meeting was giving her the heebie-jeebies, ever since looking at the names written on the folders that Nadia had placed in front of her.

The flashing danger signals going off in her brain had her wanting to get out of her chair and hightail it to the door. The assistant standing over her wasn’t helping, either. Did he think she was going to steal something from the office if left alone?

Her unease deepened when he saw the cell phone in her hand.

“Mr. Beck allows no cell phones in his meetings. They should have taken your phone before giving you a badge.”

Haley frowned back. “It wasn’t mentioned downstairs.”

“They should have.” The linebacker glowered down at her sternly. “I’ll have to make a report to their supervisors for who failed to check it in before giving you the badge.”

“I’m sure it was just a simple mistake. I don’t want to get anyone in trouble.”

“I’m afraid I’ll have to take your phone.” Holding out his hand out, the assistant made it plain he wasn’t going to take no for an answer.

Haley apprehensively tightened her grasp on the phone, not making a move to hand it over. “I don’t feel comfortable giving you my phone.”

“When Ms. Brooks called to schedule the meeting with Mr. Beck for you, I made the conditions plain. No cell phones and no interruptions during the one hour scheduled, or the meeting would be terminated.” Withdrawing his own cell phone, he began clicking away.

Haley’s heart started beating in fear that the meeting would be cancelled, making a mental list of the mistakes she had made since entering building so she could explain to Nadia why she should never be asked to take another meeting. Images of her BFF’s disappointed expression, and the faces of the thirty teens who depended on Moonbeam to keep them off the streets, and the many more whom they would be able to service if she and Nadia were both able to find the funding needed, had her loosening her grip on the phone.

“I didn’t say I wouldn’t.” She stopped, relieved when the assistant’s fingers stopped moving to glance down at her. “I don’t feel comfortable just giving you my phone.” Making a last-ditch effort to keep her phone, she gave him a pleading look, hoping for his understanding. It wasn’t forthcoming. I bet the prick would let Nadia keep hers. No one made Nadia do anything she didn’t want to do, unlike her, who just lay down and let everyone stomp all over her.

“Your phone will be at my desk, waiting when the meeting has ended.”

The secretary might have muscles for days, but he had the personality of a gnat.

“Mr. Beck will be in shortly. Are you sure I can’t get you coffee or tea?”

“No, thank you.” She wouldn’t ask the prick for a fire extinguisher if her ass were set on fire.