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as if he’s some sort of Greek god.
    “Whatever I can do to help,” she offers. “I’m at your service.”
    I roll my eyes as the pair disappears and force myself to line up a few more meetings before I go to Meredith’s door and knock. “Come in,” I hear almost instantly.
    Wasting no time, I enter the office and shut the door. She holds up her hands. “I know it’s a shock, but I felt my silence was necessary until I was certain Jensen wouldn’t be dissuaded by the board to aid our situation.” She motions me forward. “Come here and sit.”
    Moving toward the desk, I claim the leather visitor's seat directly in front of her and hold onto both arms. “How bad is this, Meredith?”
    “Bad.” Her hands settle on her desk and flatten, as if she’s bracing herself for more of whatever is to come. “Really bad.”
    “And you think Jensen can save us?”
    “Better he be my bastard than the board’s.”
    “Bastard?”
    “Of course he’s a bastard. He has an agenda and it’s his wallet. He feels he can save us and his investment with us.”
    “So he’s not loyal to you.”
    “He’s loyal to his wallet and that’s good. He feels the board is going to cost him money.”
    My head is spinning and I have the sense there are many vines growing from one stem, most of them invisible to me. I’m in the middle and in the dark. I’m certain of it. “If we don’t win over Jensen’s support, then what?”
    “The board fires me and lays off half the staff.”
    My fingers dig into the arms of the chair. “What? Half the staff?”
    “They’ve demanded I do it and I’ve refused. I presented a plan for growth rather than one of destruction. Now, it’s in Jensen’s hands to approve it, amend it, or sign off on the board’s proposal. I need you to accommodate any request he has in the process.”
    “He wants me to take him to the other locations. I’m not qualified to be his tour guide. I don’t know enough.”
    “What you don’t know can’t hurt you or me. That’s exactly why you’re the chosen one. That and you’re loyal. I need you to do this for me and for the staff.”
    There’s a desperateness to her tone that is disarming in every way. “I appreciate your faith, but I really think you need to do this. I don’t want to screw it up.”
    “He doesn’t want me. He wants you.”
    I tilt my head to study her. “Didn’t you choose me?”
    “No. He did. And I was as surprised as you, but the more I think about it the more I think this is a right choice. He thinks you’re close to me so you have my secrets. He thinks this will rattle me. Like I said. What you don’t know can’t hurt us.”
    At this point, I have no idea who made me the chosen one. Only that one of them is lying. “I thought you said he was helping you.”
    “I said he was helping himself and if he loses faith in what I’m doing, he’ll hand me to the board.” She leans in closer, allowing me to see just how bloodshot her eyes are. “Please, Danny. This is good for everyone, not just me.”
    The use of the word “please” stuns me. She demands. She does not ask, especially not politely. This can only mean she’s not exaggerating the situation. Her job, and others, are on the line. “Fine. I’ll do it.”
    She lets out a breath I didn’t realize she’d been holding. “Thank God.”
    “I’ll get someone in to cover for me here.”
    “No. I don’t want anyone but you close to me or this office right now.”
    “You’re sure?”
    “Yes. Positive. And shouldn’t you be checking on Jensen?”
    I glance at my watch and push to my feet. “Yes. He’s meeting with all of the department heads and he has another meeting about to begin.”
    “Let me know your travel schedule,” she instructs. “And call me each evening from the hotels.”
    Each evening from the hotels. Where I’ll be with Jensen. “Yes. Yes, I will.” I rush to the door and pause with my hand on the knob, turning to ask the question ringing in