History of the Changelings Billy Barker, Zorn, Brad Jenkens by D.A.Sanford - HTML preview

Rose Winston

It started that morning like every morning. Get up, get dressed, have something to eat and drive to work. She had no one, Not even a pet. Not allowed in the lease. She is considered an odd one. Her light brown shoulder length hair accentuates her face and body. Ordinarily she would be gorgeous. One problem, she won’t spread her legs. She only gets the touchy type. When she rejects them, they spread rumors. It has gotten so bad that very few people talk to her at work.

She has gotten used to it. Leave me alone, let me do my job and sit in my apartment alone.

This day will turn her upside down and shake her until all those thoughts fell out of her.

Even though there are a few years left on the car loan, it usually takes quite a few tries to get it started. Today it started on the first time this morning. She felt that today was going to be her lucky day.

As Rose was driving to her usual parking spot. She sees a man walking in the lot.

Poking at things and taking notes. She was taken on how handsome he looks. She parks and starts to get out. As soon as one heal touched the pavement, she felt nothing but air as she was dropping into a sinkhole.

Rose thought she was dead until she felt herself being grabbed and hauled to safety. It was that man.

The maintenance men came over and got into an argument about them retrieving the car. The head of the maintenance told him that only if his corporation paid for it.

He got on the phone with someone, asked me a few questions and before I knew it, he told me that not only my loan was paid off but he bought me a new luxury car. Then he said to the person to get a security company here and fire all the maintenance shop.

Then he asked me to take him for tea in the break room. I don’t know what came over me. There was one seat, which he offered. I had him sit and sat on his lap. Then I gave into the overwhelming urge and kissed him, very deeply, in front of all those who were on break.

Jimmy Connors, a red head man boy who I have rejected so many times I lost count, comes over to us, yanks me off the man’s lap and dragged me out of the room. I could see those men blocking the man from following. I was taken to a store room. It was only a matter of minutes in there I heard the sound of everyone running shouting my name. I banged on the door and they let me out.

I was told that the man had been disgraced by Jimmy and his friends. He had given an order that I be brought to him along with the whole shop. They told me that the maintenance workers were escorted off the property.

When I got to the break room area, I saw the safety tape that Jimmy’s cronies had put up and there was one across a chair. There was a break table He was yelling that he was shutting this place down and moving the product to the states.

Being brought to the front, he saw bruises and asked if I was alright.

He had moved a break table to the front of the assembly and got up on it. He started to introduce himself but stopped and instructed the owner to introduce him. Brad Jenkins, owner of BBM corporation. It turns out that we were bought out many years ago but BBM bought us over a year ago.

He said that Jimmy and his gang were the reason that the factory was being closed and sent to the states.

He looked a Jimmy, then spotted Sarah Abott and said what he had done for me.

Saving me, paying off that car and buying me a new one. He asked Sarah what would she have done. To which she said that she would have kissed him.

Then he did something that I could not understand. He gave her the car he had ordered for me. He paid off her current loan. Then one of the ones told her that her house was going to be paid off.

Then Jimmy and only two of his boys were escorted off the grounds. He also fired the owner, or former owner.

He came to me and said that his wives wanted to talk with me. Wives, I started to panic but he told me that it was a good type of talk. I believe him, why? Next thing I know, I stopped at the apartment to get my passport and I was on a private jet going to the states.

I was the only passenger. I felt like royalty. Pampered, good food, some wine to go with it and big screen entertainment. When I arrived, I was whisked through customs. I was driven to a very large mansion.

Even though I was given a warning, but did not really believe it, how did he call it, oh yes, I was face bombed by a very loaded diaper. His baby daughter was giggling.

His first wife apologized. “It has been a day of events for you today, hasn’t it?”

“Your husband warned me about Gloria. Yes it has, from a lonely apartment to being dragged to safety by your husband.”

Rose tenses up, be honest he said.

”After all that happened in the morning, I had feelings well up. There was only one seat.

I had him sit and then sat in his lap knowing that I was going to kiss him. I’m sorry.”

Maribell comes in and sits, “He has that effect on certain women.”

“The gentleman with him said the same thing.”

“I think introductions are in order. I’m Brenda, Brad’s first wife and daughter to the darker one Devon Satten, former owner of the corporation. This is Maribell his second wife and daughter of the emperor Harcourt Granden. I will ask, what did you think about the two older men?”

“They were very kind to me and struck me as wonderful people. They also gave an aura of invincibility.”

“Devon, my father, is just putty in Gloria’s hands. He at first wanted to kill Brad. His corporation bought then tore apart the place where we worked. He now is an easy one to get along with but don’t mess with those he loves. He told me that he likes you and considers you as a daughter. You are one of only three he has given that to. My father is a demon lord.”

Maribell now takes over.

“My father is also a softie. A pain in the ass lately because I’m pregnant with his first grandchild. I keep on reminding him that he has an empire to run but it bounces right off him. My mom is in charge of the corporation’s community improvement fund. We have given both father’s offices at corporate to get them out of our hair. That’s why they are over there. My father is emperor demon over all the demon world.”

Brenda now asks the big question.

“Knowing that our fathers are demons, how do you feel about us now?”

Rose thinks about then says,

“If you asked me the same question yesterday, I would have run. The way you all have treated me. What Brad has said about the repercussions of racism by species and or class I see that the people I have encountered in my life fit the stereotype of demons, but the actual demons I have met today are very different. Loving in nature but will take anyone down that tries to hurt their loved ones. You have titles, we all do. I have been labeled loose by men who I would not spread my legs for. In my whole life I have not found someone that I would. I’m sorry,”

Rose breaks down crying.

“I feel terrible to say this, but I must be truthful. Brad is the only one that I get those feelings for. It has been less than a day and I have found that I am in love. Please forgive me. Take me to the airport. I’ll never bother any of you again.”

Almost at the same time they say, “She’s a keeper.”

As Maribell comforts her, Brenda lets her know that it is okay for her to feel that way. For Brad to treat you that way, to fire people who treated you bad, hurt you and that manager that let it happen. He had to have had feelings for you. We both knew it.”

She tells her of the first place they fixed up. The town was dead. Brad brought it back to life. Then envy crept in. They found that my father was a demon lord. Started talk about him taking their souls. The final thing was when they started calling me a half breed.

About how he packed up and moved the factory. Closed the different stores he opened.

The type of man who had all the moving trucks lined outside the town hall when they were having a town meeting on how evil he was. He told them that he had solved their problem and we walked out, got in our car and led the convoy out of town.

“Because he could not stand to hear them casting slurs after his wife he moved everything out. You are sitting where the town used to be. Maribell’s father bought it all, tore it down and built this for us. Can you now see his feelings?”

Rose thinks about it then remembers what he said before she left.

“He said that I had an inner beauty, not just an outer. That he liked me but he could see that developing. He told the workers that I was the only one that treated him right.”

Maribell sighs, “Boy, it is obvious. You both have sunk hooks but need help reeling your catch in. So you know, it is the demon way that only the females of the family can allow another woman into the family.”

Brenda tells her, “You have had a long day. We need you to sleep on what was just told to you. I’ll show you to your room. We have laid out night ware for you.

Rose says timidly. “If it won’t offend, I don’t wear anything.. The skin needs to breathe.”

“Not a problem. The only thing is that you need to close your door. It’s not because of nudity, Gloria likes new people. With the door open, you may find it hard to breathe. Wet loaded diaper strike, She thinks it’s fun.”

I go into the room they gave me. It’s bigger than my apartment. The bathroom is the biggest I have seen. I take a long shower. When I come out, I hear a thump and a giggle. Opening the door, I find Gloria just hovering. I put out my arms and she gently lands in my arms. Coos and falls asleep. Brenda comes up,

“I just knew she would be here. I’ll take her back.”

She gets a very strange feeling. This could be hers. Not Gloria but one of her own.

“Would it be possible to hold her for a while?”

“Sure but just know. Another Jenkins has captured you.”

The two talk for a while longer. Mostly on what type of person Brad is. How everyone seems to get along. It ends when Gloria starts to get restless.

“Tomorrow, we will be taking you out shopping. Get you some changes. We need to fill that closet. Then we will go to corporate. Now we need some sleep. You sleep until you get up. We get up early these two weeks. The time difference. Brad gets some great ideas. Especially in the morning.

He said that they were going to interview all the employees for attitude. Then he will decide. He has a glint in his eyes. He is going to do something spectacular to that area.”

Later in the morning Rose is now awake. She does find that it is almost noon here which startles her but new experiences. I get dressed. I found that my clothes from yesterday have been replaced with tight fitting blue jeans and a white t shirt. No other choice. She puts them on.

Going to the kitchen area, she finds the three relaxing. They were discussing the latest update. Brenda smiles,

“I told you he had something he was going to do. Your labor board came. Accused Brad of physically claiming ownership and firing a lot of people. Devon was able to show him that the records they had showed that we got it from a settlement fifteen months ago from a large corporate espionage law suit we filed and won. The labor board member said that someone yesterday filed it.”

Rose tells her that the person that we thought was owner never informed anyone of the sale.

“That makes sense. Brad pulled a fast one. He convinced the labor board member to interview people for qualification and attitude. If he can do it in four weeks he will keep the plant open. He’s going to do that anyways. He has us cutting checks, you’ll get one too but here in dollars, everyone gets a month pay. In two weeks, he has another letter to be sent out. One for those being retained and one for those who are not. Those who are not being allowed to come back get a six month paycheck. The ones who will not be returning, can reapply if they can show that their attitude has changed with the proviso that they must apply before 3pm at the end of the four weeks. The biggest thing to reapply, they must bring in that paystub and the original six month check or a bank check for that amount. If they are accepted, it’s only the month. If their attitude returns,, they will be fired without that check being returned. “

Rose is amazed. It is sheer brilliance but she must ask, “Where was the labor board member?”

“That’s the best part. At Brad’s insistence, he had the board member take credit for the compromise. He had him address the employees. After the address, is when Brad told them about the second chance. I wanted to surprise him so I left him a message at the front desk. Sorry, I told him about Gloria’s diaper bomb but as a last small note. I told him that the hotel deal was done. It was ours.”

“What hotel deal?”

“We bought the chain that included the hotel they were staying at. He later told me that he had fun with the manager. He had him look up BBM corp. On the web site, we wanted people to see the face of BBM. He said the man froze.. After a pep talk about room service, they actually put out an evening menu. He said that he probably walk the town tomorrow. By the way, those jeans with the T shirt. You look sensuous. You’re going to fit in nicely.”

The car is out front and we go. First stop corporate for Gloria’s daycare.

Rose is astonished that they do not have a tether on her. The second the elevator door opened she flew into the room and you heard the people greet her then she zooms into the daycare room. With the greetings, Maribell’s mother comes out but catches the dive bomber. She walks back to the daycare room. “Need I remind you that Gloria is a dirty flyer. That is why the screen door” and she hands her to the attendant.

Coming over, she introduces herself to Rose. “If I may ask, where did you get those jeans. They make you look like a fashion model. My husband told me that you were a looker.”

One of the other employees says that he is jealous. “How does he manage to get all the hottest women.”

Rose blushes

Maribell tells her mother, “We are taking Rose on a shopping trip. Brad sent her with the clothes on her back. Those are spares from the mansion. She needs the works. Wana come mom?”

Some guys most of the times will fire off a statement and be blown out of the water.

There are on occasions that the right combination of word makes a direct hit.

The same guy says,

“Judith, I know that you would never stray from your husband but in jeans and a white t shirt, you’d be so much eye candy that every man here would need to go to the dentist every day.”

She hears a lone female voice. “some of us women would need that appointment.”

With that much praise, Judith was out the door chiding the rest to get a move on They come back to pick up Gloria. Judith had always worn clothes befitting her station.

She walked in with those jeans. All work stopped and applause erupts. She is stunning.

You could not see it in the formal dress but she really filled out that outfit in style. Years younger and the man who initially had praised her, looked at her.

He said, “For the first real time, I am jealous. Harcourt is one lucky son of a bitch. That’s it. I’m going to the dentist.

Maribell took quite a few pictures and sent those to Brad. Harcourt could not get the hang of those. So many things happened that she totally forgot. Gloria said DaDa. We did get through the day watching each one of us to get her to say words. She did. By the time Devon said that they were on their way home. She said Mama. Then she started to call everyone mama. Brenda was the first, that’s all that counts.

Just after they took off from England, Maribell sent the pictures. Brad was fascinated.

He told the guys,

“The women ran into this very hot woman in jeans and sent pictures.”

He plugged his lap top into the system. He knew and it wasn’t much longer that Devon got it. Harcourt is more tactful.

“Yes, I agree that the woman is very attractive but she does not compare with Judith.”

Devon went to the screen. “Harcourt, watch this and with the movement of his fingers on the touch screen display said. “Do you recognize this woman now.”

Totally enamored, he calls over one of the flight attendants. “They need to go faster. I’ll pay any fine incurred.”

Getting things in place

Back home, a large part of the day was between Gloria and her pompa. I can’t say it enough. That is the same man who was dragging me down a hall, ready to tear me apart, is a puddle of goo. Turned into goo by a very young baby.

As much as I would like to stay and enjoy those two words, DaDa, There are things that need to be done with the England venture. There is a lot going on at one time. I need to go to the office.

Names have been going through my mind. I have a wonderful group working for me but one comes to mind over and over. Kile Perkins.

I was told by my wives that his compliments were the ones that caused Judith’s transformation from a dowager to a doll. He is just the one that’s needed. Even though she was royalty, he saw the woman. He said the truth but in the right way.

As the elevator reaches our floor, I knew what I had to do. As I am greeted, complemented on what happened but more over what was going to happen. Kile greets me and I motion for him to come with me. He picks up his tablet and follows.

“I left earlier than I wanted but Devon needed to get back.”

“Come on Brad, I know that you wanted to come back. Gloria has that effect on the office. We can’t wait to hear her. I could not imagine you not coming back.”

“You’re right but now to the subject. There are a lot of loose ends there. The business rebuild, and we are rebuilding it, the town and the improvements to the hotel. We need someone on the ground for the next six months. I can’t see anyone but you filling that position. You’re a natural. Judith is a knockout. That’s because of your properly worded complements. Not flattery. How about it?”

I can see that he is thinking about it so I need to sweeten the pot.

“Of course, your bills here will be paid by me. Your rent, utilities, and all the other bills.

While there, you will have a very generous expense account and almost total autonomy.

Major decisions we need to discuss but colors, who sits with who and all the other things are yours.”

That pushes him over the edge.

“Okay, I’ll do it. Fill me in.”

“First, by the end of our day, I want you there. Naturally you stay in the hotel. We will have them set up a room on the first floor for meetings. You need to over see the improvements to the hotel. What it becomes will be the model for the chain. Pick someone here that will relate the improvements to the other sites. At the business. Hold on one minute.”

I call home,

“Please put Rose on, Rose that woman is gave your car to, by the way, if you decide to go back, you’ll have a car waiting, Do you know her?”

“Sarah Abott is her name. She is a good person. One of the one’s that talked to me.”

“I’m thinking of having her be the aide for our person going over there today. Would she like a boost in pay and working for him?”

“She would love it. She always talked about getting a good position like that.”

“Thanks, you are wonderful. I’m glad you are here.”

I call the front desk.

“Place a call to Collen Stevers and have him locate Sarah Abott. He needs to ask her about being Kile’s aide with a double of her salary. Also let the realtor and the hotel know that he is coming. Send his picture. Call the corporate jet, he is leaving today. Let the limo in England know that we will be using him exclusive for the next six months.

Have him email the invoice here. Tell him to send a separate invoice for another limo and driver. I don’t want him to lose business. Get back to me on all of this but the jet and limo are the most important. Thank you.”

“Kile, gather your information, get your passport and let the jet know that you are coming. The bigger thing to remember is that we are going to grow the community. The business staff is being done by Collen. Make him one of your first full day’s visits. Now gather and go.”

In the corporate office, Brad was assembling his support group. Most have been the ones that were doing it for him. It was noon when he announced that the support team have agreed to a split shift. They will be working on British time for the three weeks.

With that, I sent those ones home.

He is a blur gathering what he felt he would need the first few days. Closed up his apartment and was off to England.

I’m going home also. I want to talk with Rose and my wives. Who am I kidding, I need to hear DaDa. It’s Friday, I tell everyone to wrap up what they are doing and go home.

With that I leave.

Walking to the door, I expect the usual bomb run. Imagin my shock but a pleasant one when Gloria comes at me but land on my chest and hugs my neck repeating DaDa.

Now I’m goo. She must have a superpower.

“She always beats us.” Brenda says. “How did it go?”

Maribell and Rose walk in.

“Kile Perkins is on his way to England right this minute. I picked him because of the transformation of your mother Maribell.”

“If he could sweet talk my mom, he is the right one. I had tried to get her to dress different but it was his comments that caused her to change. He said what we said but in a non-flattering way. It was the truth but it was the truth in an assuring way. Dad says that she is now dressing like that all the time. She has said that he is getting, her words, frisky.”

“Exactly what type of person is Sarah? Can you fill us in with anything you know.”

“Sarah is a bright personality. She is friendly, understanding but she is also a fierce opponent. Helping Kile, she is going to be able to see if someone is trying to, what’s that American saying, oh yea, she will let him know if someone is trying to blow wind up the skirt. As a side note, she is a good looker, single and like me hasn’t found the right one.”

I ask her point blank

“Have you found the right one? Don’t answer that just yet. You need to think about it. I will be going back in two weeks. Then coming back after two weeks there. Talk to these two. I would like you to come back with me for those two weeks. If you plan to stay in England, just tell me then. I’ll buy that car for you. If you decide to come back, I’ll accept you. We will have your apartment packed up and sent here.”

She is broken, in a good way.

My wives told her, “We told you so. He is hooked and flopping on the deck.”

I’m at a loss but it won’t be a first time. I retreat back to Gloria but I’m foiled. The door opens and she is off with a shot saying Pompa all the way. What does he have that I don’t have.

It is actually Rose that says,

“She can see you anytime but her pompa is special.”

“Damn, it’s very hard not to hug you.” I then realized that I said that out loud.

It’s Brenda this time. “Too late, Brad, stand up. Rose go get that hug.”

I do, she does and then we felt the impact. Gloria is getting involved and joins the hug.

Out of the corner of my eye I see Devon with that smile. Then I hear him say.

“You wear it on your sleave.”

Trouble on the isle

I made it to the hotel and they greeted me like I was special but I also heard them greet others the same way. I make it a note. During check in, they saw who I was. I complemented them on my greeting.

“I felt special even before you knew who I was. That is going into my report to corporate.”

They now asked me about luggage even though it is just a carry on.

“We’ll have it sent to your room.” The manager tells me. “I would like your input on the meeting room.”

He takes me to a normal room on the first floor. The bedding has been removed and a small table has been placed.

“You have the right idea but we are going to break through to the next room and make it one large room. That is unless you have a double already.”

“We do but it is on the top floor.”

I have him show me. I like what I see. It still is a luxury suite but need to ask when I see my bag there.,

“How often is this room sold?”

“Very rarely.”

“Here’s what we are going to do. Move me to that first floor room that you showed me and convert this into a meeting room that your King and Queen would be satisfied with holding a meeting in. We will sell this on the web site as the place to have meetings and seminars. In the states, hotels have these rooms booked constantly with company off site training. We’re going to offer them a discount on this room if they book the overnight rooms here. Any booking with over a hundred rooms, they get this meeting hall free.”

“This room won’t hold one hundred unless you knock down the wall and expand it.”

“Excellent, Do it. We’ll put a sliding track divider. That way we can hold multiple groups.”

The manager can see what I am talking about.

I finish reeling him to my side.

“With these room converted, how many rooms do you have?”

He tells me that they have two hundred.

“How would you like to have occasions that you had to tell people that you are booked up solid? Oh hell, is there another place in the area, within let’s say twenty five miles, I’m sorry 40 kilometers.”

“There is one.”

I tell him to excuse me for a few. I call Brad directly and put him on speaker.

“The manager is with me. First, without knowing me I was greeted as if I was the most important person in the world. I saw others being treated the same way. The manager has instituted that improvement. Do I have your permission to give him a bonus?”

Brad tells me that I can give him an extra weeks pay as a bonus.

“That’s not the reason you called me is it”

“No it isn’t. He had a very nice set up on the first floor. I looked at it and thought that it would be good for a private meeting for a couple of people so I had him show me one of the largest rooms. It is on the top floor. The juices started flowing. We are going to knock down the wall between two of the suites. Then you install a sliding room divider.

With the two rooms as one, we can hold meetings for over a hundred people. Once it is done, we put it on the web for seminars and off site training. Give those a meeting room discount if they book a certain amount of rooms for the people attending.”

Brad interrupts, “That’s all in the scope of your job there. If you want it done, do it. Again what is the reason you called?”

“Let’s say that the hotel will be booked solid. We would have to turn away people.”

He stops me, “I know where you are going with this. We do not want to lose them. You want me to buy something around the area. We could refer them to that hotel. Is there any privately owned hotels in the area?”

“The manager says there is one. That’s the reason. I need you to acquire it. We do not bring it into the chain. Make it like an old English inn. Quaint and maybe even a pub room.”

“It will be done. If that town has a pub, I’m going to see if I can buy it. That’s why I sent you. Get that room set up. Keep the first floor room for the manager’s office. Keep it up.”

“You heard it. You now have your own office, a week’s bonus and all for greeting everyone for the special guests they are. I will leave the wall and decorations to you.

Remember this, Sometimes it takes spending money to make money but with this. I’m going to have the corporation send an invitation to the royal couple to attend and give a dedication to the new Queen Elizabeth memorial meeting room. As far as the name, if you need to modify it about carrying her kingdom forward that is acceptable but I want it to be associated with this hotel and this country.

We go down and there is a vacant room on the first floor, I take it. I tell the manager to pick out a very nice desk for his office. He goes in there and by the next morning, the workmen are here.

I have made an appointment with Collen and I am heading to the realtor. Outside the hotel, I see a limo. The driver jumps out and opens the door. “I’m only going up to the realtor. I will give you permission to accept some short runs for now.” I am told that the second limo is doing that.

I take him inside to the manager.

“Sorry to interrupt. This man is our permanent driver. He owns his own business with two limos. He is this hotel’s limo service. We cover the in between run meals. Right now he is at my disposal he and his co driver will park in the parking lot. See if there is a special area for them to park after drop off. Modify your web site to show now that we have limo services.”

I tell the driver.

“I haven’t been anywhere yet but what’s going to happen with this hotel you will eventually need more limos. Go get something to eat. Tell the front desk to call the manager about it. I should be done around ten here, I have the labor board man to talk to at eleven. The man’s name is Collen Stevers. Get the address from the front desk, If you need more time to get there. I’ll be somewhere on the main street. Come get me.”

With that I meet the realtor. He shows me the buildings and already the tourist center is being painted and the inside is a hive of activities. I am introduced to them.

“I’m going to be here for the next six months. This place needs to be up and running quick.”

I give them the rundown of the hotel modification including that it must be dedicated to the late queen.

“We need suggestions on the name but must start with “The Queen Elizabeth” Then the rest needs to suit this community. The reason I say that this needs to be finished quickly is that the corporation will invite the king and queen to dedicate the room and tour the improvements to this town. I have given the manager the orders that it must befit the queen’s name.”

They are teared up.

“If you need help, just ask. A corporation has pull to get things done. Now next door, that will be the local product shop. Since you are in the know. Who here has the ability or knows someone that has the ability to get up all the local made product. It can be from canned goods to other products. No live stock. I need to hire someone to run the store.

We don’t haggle. We buy at their normal selling price. That’s why my buyer needs to be

local. It’s tourists that we sell to at inflated prices. We sell at a larger price, the town and the state get their cuts in tax’s.”

People are thinking about it when I see the limo.

“If you or someone you know wants to apply, drop your contact information off with the realtor. I have to go see the labor board.”

With that I leave. The driver says that Collen would like to meet at the factory.

Pulling up, I see a few go home yank signs. All look like they are written by two people.

I’ll have someone remove them. At the building there are some bushes that look like they were pulled up and grass spots torn out. So far both buildings are intact.

I get out and find Collen outside.

We introduce ourselves.

I look at him.

“Is someone trying to tell me something?” being facetious on how I said it.

“I’m sorry but this has just started. Even I have received some messages that are this side of threats. With what has been happening, I advise you to increase security.”

I look at the buildings.

“Can I ask you to do a walk around with me. I want to see the state of the buildings.”

As I am asking, a very good looking obviously new car pulls up and a curve gets out.

“God, are all your women as pretty as this?”

He says yes, but some pretty up better.

“This should be your new assistant Sarah Abott.”

Now I understand the car but

Sarah introduces herself and I tell her that we will be working on the shop project but also the in town. What we will do is meet at the hotel every morning and use the limo for going somewhere. She likes the idea.

I ask, “Well what is your first impression on my greeting?”

“The corporation has angered the few that were fired but the workers I knew would not have stopped at bushes. That serves no purpose. Your windows would be the first to go.

May I make a call?”

She goes away, finishes the call and comes back.

“It will be around twenty minutes but I have someone coming to set up security.”

We start to walk around the maintenance building and find no damage other then some bird poop. In the back parking lot, Rose’s car is the only car there. The sink hole has been plugged.

“Get someone to haul that away. This whole parking lot needs to be broom tested.”

I get the strangest look from both.

“Do you have the keys to this place?”

Sarah says she was given all the keys by Collen.

Would you please go to the maintenance building and get me a push broom?”

She does but calls us over. She points out the dust.

“These are my tracks. There is more disruption, like a window was opened this week.”

We look and all the windows are locked.

“There may be a draft.” I hand her my tablet. “Please note it as a task. I have yours in the limo.”

I take the broom but remove the handle. To them, I ask a simple but dumb question.

“Have you ever heard a drum.”

I notice a spray paint can and take it. Walking down the side walk, I can tell that I’m being annoying. I am letting the end of the handle drop to the surface. There are a few places on the sidewalk that I stop and spray some paint. In the parking lot I spray a few more spots.

“I asked if you ever heard a drum. Do you know why a drum makes noise?”

“Think about it.” I hand him the handle. “You saw how I was dropping it so only the end hit. Collen would you please go back before the first spot. Do what I did. Hold your hand around the handle so it drops a foot or so. Then every foot let it drop but listen to the sound it makes. Think of a drum. I don’t what you to say anything because I’m going to have her do the same. Make sure you hit paint and no paint.”

He goes. About half way he looks like he wants to run to us but continues. Then he hands the broom stick to Sarah. She comes back with the same look

“Why does a drum make a sound?”

Both answer “It’s hollow!”

“I’m not saying that it would have detected all of the holes but do you think that we need someone with ground penetrating radar here. Write it down. Safety of the workers.”

Collen tells me that there may be some federal money for that and he will look into that.

“That would be nice, but the workers come first. If we can get some money back, it will be appreciated.”

We finish the walk around and end back in the front. Whoever it is, they don’t want to hurt the buildings.

I get her tablet out of the limo and there is a van pulling in. The driver gets out.

“Sarah, you didn’t need to yell at me.”

He holds out his hand, “I’m John Abott, her brother.”

“Kile Perkins,”

“If you don’t mind Kile, I’ll talk to John. I want every meter of this under surveillance.

Twenty four seven. The go home yank area is ours. Every door, Every window and even the roofs If a bird poops, I want a report on what species it was. This corporation is doing wonders for this town. I don’t want a fool to drive them out.”

“The hotel outside and the town center needs the same treatment. The hotel all corridors, stair ways and elevators. The monitors for those will be in the manager’s office. For all of this I need every camera to down load to a solid state drive system in your company. I want to be able to tell you a time date and area. Within a few minutes, you will send that feed. In the event of an intruder, you will have direct wifi with the security. They will contact the police.”

He is giving me the strangest look.

“Do you know how much this is going to cost?”

“How does a hundred thousand pounds for getting it up and running in a few weeks.”

He’s beside himself. Time to slam it home.

“Fifty thousand more to get this plant covered, up and running in a few days.”

He looks around at the site. Gets on the phone then tells me

‘Direct deposit Half up front Your going to regret this because it’s going to cost you that fifty.”

“Talk , talk, talk “ Sarah chides “You doing it?”

“Yes”

I tell Sarah to boot up her tablet.

“Give her your bank information.”

I show her the app. She puts in the information and his phone alerts. He looks. The message reads “fifty thousand pounds has been deposited into your account from BBM

corporation.”

He looks like he is going to pass out.

Sarah now tells him that the clock is ticking. He is shown the security station and immediately hooks up the wifi equipment.

“There will be cells dropped off before the end of the day for twenty guards. If you need more just text me. This place will be tight by the end of tomorrow.” He leaves

“This job should have only cost fifty thousand at the most.” Sarah says

“Investment my dear. You want to have this place burnt down? This place, this place, Do you know where that chief operating officer lives? He acted like he owned it.”

Sarah is shocked. “He didn’t own it?”

“Not for quite a few years.”

Collen says he can get that information once he is back in the office. He and Sarah touch tablets and exchange contact information.”

I go out on a limb. I really am starting to have feelings that I have not had before to this extent.

“How would you like to go to dinner with me? We can get to know each other. I want to try out the restaurants in town.”

For the first time today, she seems timid. She says that she would like that.

“Well then, we’ll call it a day. I’ll send the limo. See you around seven?”

The limo stops and Sarah is let out. If you thought she was beautiful during the day, you would need someone to tell you to breathe.

She got the response she wanted. I could only just stand there. I did not realize I said this out loud.

“Damn, I have got to remember to breathe.”

As calmly as he could show, He stutters as he says

“You are very beautiful. I find myself not hungry. You have filled me up. So Italian, Indian or British. Those are the foods that these three serve. I’m sorry for staring. Wow.”

He does think to himself Control, Gloria’s diapers anything. She chooses Italian. It was a good choice. I had the meat lasagna she had the stuffed manicotti, with wine. After we ate, we walked and talked about each other’s background. She has never found her someone, same as me. She did ask about Rose. I didn’t know much only that Brad has been bitten and his two has accepted her.

“I feel that Brad will bring her here when he visits and then he will have her make her decision.”

“I saw Rose that day, she already looked like she had made the decision.”

When it was time for her to go home, I rode with her. She asked me in but I told her that the offer was extremely tempting but we need to take it slow and make sure what we are feeling is not just lust. She is as disappointed as I am but early could ruin a fledgling relation.

“This is the first time I have felt this. Part of me says it is right but the other side” she leaned in and gave me a passionate kiss. Then went inside.

“Drive on before I give in.” I’m tired.

I slept but it was a long night

She arrived in the limo. I don’t know how she does it but I’m helpless. Each time I see her, I am stunned. I now understand Brad. As she is getting out, I receive a call from security. They spotted someone on the grounds but the person seems to have vanished. I tell them about the dust in the maintenance shop. I want it searched top to bottom. We are coming over.

We pull up. John’s people are going full force and has the shop an hour from being set up. Wireless wifi cameras.

The security is set with the collective monitor screens. That’s why they spotted the person.

“John, you have the bonus because I need you to call in all your people. I need you to make sure that you have everyone.”

He makes the wifi call and all his people come in. He tells me that everyone is accounted for. The person must have blended into the crowd.

“Right now I’m going to the office. If it is who I think it is, he will go for those transfer papers. He does not realize that we have the originals but I don’t think he is rational any more. The two of us will be there. We won’t wander but I will leave my phone open to security.”

With that, Sarah and I make our way to the office. We walk in on the chief rifling through his files.

“Where are they. They should be here. Those are mine.”

He looks up and rants “What did you do with my papers! Where are they! This place is mine!”

Knowing that those papers were now in the possession of Collen for his records, I tell him that the labor board now has them.

Enraged he tried to stab Sarah, I stepped between and felt his knife dig into my arm. I grab the knife by the blade. I cut my palm but he could not retrieve the knife and ran out.

Moments later security showed, as the phones heard from John saying that someone ran into the maintenance shop. One man who knew first aid bandaged my hand but told me that the hospital should be the ones to remove the knife. It could be blocking a severed artery. He bandaged it so it would not move.

About the time I’m ready to be moved, the word came. They found him. He hung himself in the maintenance shop. They have to leave him. The police have been called. After they investigate, they will be the ones to cut him down.

I fade out but heard Sarah crying and holding my good arm. I had enough left to say, “I love you.”

Next thing I know, I’m in a hospital bed. Sarah has not left my side. She hasn’t even changed her dress but Rose brought her one. I hear Brad tell Sarah to go with Rose.

He’ll watch Kile.

After they go to change. Brad says,

“I’m having the jet refueled. You’re going to a state side hospital. Sarah can come with you. You had to get knifed to get her to love you.”

He forced a chuckle.

I did notice Rose and Sarah come back

“No, I’m staying here. everyone needs to see that they can’t chase us out. He was one deranged person but if I left it would be declaring an open hunting season on all of us.

No, I stay.”

“What Sarah said she loved me?”

Blame it on the drugs for being slow. She comes over and gives a light hug,

“Do you remember what you told me.”

“I told you I loved you. I meant it.”

“Well now you are going to get my answer. I love you and want to spend more than the six months.”

She looks at Brad,

“I go when ever, where ever he goes, forever.”

“You got it. After he explained himself for the need to stay. I agree. We need to show that you will not be able to push us out. He stays here.”

“I got to ask, have you seen the town center? And the hotel?”

“Yes on both. The hotel heard and has shifted into high gear. They are already starting the cleanup. In a day or two they will have the drawings to show the decorations. The

manager has said that they want to frame these. They will make exact copies for here.

They want to send the originals to the king and queen for their approval. I agree with that. Now that you have resolved to stay. You and Sarah will have an audience with them.”

“Brad, time to use corporate power, get me out of here now.”

Sarah objected but I told her I’m fine you can look after me in the hotel. She brightens.

Brad gets me my pants and we just walk out over objections. I found out that the driver’s name is Karl. I was let in and Brad said.

“Karl, the hotel please.”

We pull up and the whole town seemed to know. I got out to a cheering crowd. At least they did not try to hug me. There are a lot of way to go. It had already made it way that I was wounded when I defended Sarah. To them that is most important.

“Tomorrow I will be back looking at the progress in the town. I will be going to the plant to go over what happened. We will continue, we will build and we will become the new center of manufacturing. This week both Sarah and myself have an audience with the king and queen to present the hotel conference rooms that we will be dedicating to the late queen. We then will formally ask them to attend the dedication.

Brad is doing some of the in town looking but it seems that they are now looking for Kile’s input. He’s the hero of today. He is not quite up to speed but he does make his presence felt.

It’s morning, the local police wish him to go to the factory and show what he experienced. Karl’s other driver was the one taking both Sarah and himself there. Brad said that Rose and him are going to visit an inn. He said Karl was going to drive them there.

Not wanting to make further mistakes. As the driver opens the door, I let Sarah get in first. I then asked his name to which he said his name is Basil.

“Basil, we need to go to the factory.”

With that we drove off.

As we drove up, those signs were still there. I was told by Basil that they will be removed by the police and taken in as evidence in case there is a second person. I remember thinking that it looked like there were two different hand writing.

“Sarah, before the end of the day, have your brother remove all locks from the lockable doors and put in badge and keypads on each. He had all the keys so others have them also. Everyone must have the employee door badge access. Inner rooms as needed.”

She sees his truck aside the few police cars.

We get out. I tell the police that Sarah will be back. She needed to deliver some new instructions to the firm that is setting up the surveillance.

The man in the suit tells me that he is the lead inspector on this case. He tells me that they have enough to show that he tried to steal the documents and that he attacked.

“We have the complete audio. John Abott was able to give us a copy from your open phone. All we need is, in both you and your assistant’s words, a visual description of what happened in the office.”

Sarah comes back and we go to the office. We stand where we were while the police man stood in the place where the old owner stood.

Sarah was telling what she saw.

“We entered the office. He was rifling through those files to find some papers he wanted. He was angerly talking to himself. He saw Kile and was yelling about the papers as he came to our side. He lunged at me with his knife but Kile jumped in front of him. That is when he stabbed him. Kile grabbed the knife in the other hand by the blade.

The old owner could not pull the knife out and he ran out.”

The inspector has been writing and taking some pictures, then says that they have enough for this case.

“This case?”

With a grim look he says that at the man’s home, there was another man helping him.

“We got the list of all the people fired that day. We talked with all except one James Connor. Until we find him, be on your guard.”

Sarah is aghast, “Jimmy was the one that dragged Rose off. He tried to get her to go with him quite a few times but she turned him down each time.”

I excuse myself for a moment and get on my cell.

“Brad, where are you?”

“Getting ready to leave for that inn. Why?”

“Is Rose with you?”

“Yes”

“Put me on speaker phone. Inspector tell them what you just told me.”

“The owner was working with someone else. We talked to everyone that you fired with the exception of James Connor. We can’t find him.”

Sarah urgently tells them, “Rose, Brad, get in the damned car and get here. Jimmy gets unreasonable at times. You’re with Brad and he has always felt you were his. He’ll be out for Brad and use whatever it takes to get you.”

Brad puts her in the limo and tells Karl to drive. Too late, the driver lifts his cap and shows his red hair.

Brad has just enough time to reach over Rose, open her door and push her out of the limo as it starts to move. He tosses his phone to her.

Rose frantically picks it up.

“Jimmy did something to the driver. Brad pushed me out. Jimmy has kidnaped Brad!”

Kile tells her in Brad’s phone is a contact labeled epn (emergency phone number).

Hang up and call.

Rose hits call. Almost immediately Harcourt picks up,

“What’s wrong Brad? This is the emergency number.”

“This is Rose, Brad was just kidnaped from the town by Jimmy Conners. The red head from work.”

“Stay right there but don’t hang up.”

In an instant, Harcourt displays the demon power. He has used the open line to teleport to her side. Once there, Devon is right behind. Harcourt pulls out a device and speaks into it.

“My son has been captured by someone called Jimmy Connor from this location. This is a full demon alert. Find that limo and my son Brad Jenkins.” He looks at Rose.

“Which way and how long ago?”

“North and ten minutes ago.”

He relays that. Moments later people are flashing in and out with information. He grabs a hold of Rose and tells Devon,

“Let’s go.”

In an instant they are in the country side.

“The limo is on its way here. It is being watched all the way. There are no turn offs so”

He does not get to finish as the limo appears at a high rate of speed. It was like it hit an area of air the same consistency of water. It slowed down to a halt. It is completely surrounded by people but they are just standing.

Harcourt bellows, “Get my son out of that car!”

Devon holds on to Rose.

“I don’t even think you should look but we protect our own. You are my daughter. Thank you for calling us.”

She says that she needs to watch.

The back door and roof were ripped off and they gently got Brad out He came over to Rose and hugged her.

Now Harcourt ordered them to bring Jimmy out. He is not gently removed. He is physically dragged before Harcourt. Now Devon steps up..

“You have committed a crime against the demon nation by kidnaping Brad Jenkins the son of Emperor Granden whom you have been casted before.”

Son of a bitch still does not know when to shut up.

“So he used his demon powers to cast a spell on Rose.”

Rose tells Jimmy,

“The only spell he cast was one of respect and caring. I fell in love. He, his wives, these two fathers of mine and these wonderful people here that helped. Jimmy Conner you are the only demon I see here. Brad, I want to marry you. Your wives have already accepted me.”

Both of the men looked at her. Draco put his hand on her and pulled her into a hug.

“For the Emperor and myself. Thank you daughter.”

Now it gets serious again.

“Brad is the victim here, what say you as to his punishment.”

He thinks about it. Then asks with a grin.

“Is there any way to make him to tell the truth and only the truth?”

The emperor says yes.

“Is there a way to mess with his mind to make it so he never hurts anyone again including himself?”

“Yes”

“Last question, can you keep him totally sane?”

Again, he is told yes.

“Do those three things to him and I’ll show you his punishment.”

It is done and Jimmy collapsed.

“Watch this.” Brad says. He shakes Jimmy awake

“Jimmy what happened here?”

“A bunch of demons attacked the car. They tore it apart. Your one of them.”

“Put Jimmy back to sleep.”

“Can the limo be fixed?” Brad asks.

One of the demons uses a spell, the limo is back with a polish.

“Nice of you to polish it. Good touch” The man bows.

“We’ll drive it three miles out of town and pull it off the road as if it was going out of town. Give me a small can of sleeping gas. Take Rose then you and Devon go back to the hotel. Then have one of your people call in a tip. Both Jimmy and I will be out.”

Draco laughs,

“I don’t care what you say. Harcourt, this man has to have demon blood in him. It’s too perfect. When they talk to Jimmy, he’ll tell them the truth. About the limo being torn apart, how Brad is a demon, you and I are demons. He can’t deviate, but the car is intact. Brad is not hurt. They will think he is nuts. Unfit to stand trial and locked up in a loony bin for life because he will stick to the true story.”

Harcourt looks at me, then looks at Jimmy.

“Devon is right, this is demonic though on an apocalyptic scale. Telling the truth, staying sane and cannot hurt himself. Demonic. We could squash him and he would be out of his misery. I’m going to do one more thing give him a long healthy life. I’m going to have my researchers look into your family tree.”

We drive back, the odometer is adjusted to the last log from this morning plus a few extra miles. Jimmy is put in the driver’s seat. After a kiss from Rose, I close the door and open the gas.

The next thing I see is a bunch of police around the car. They have opened the door and I awake. They have to shake Jimmy to wake him. He starts spouting about demons tearing the limo apart and hundreds of demons.

They took him and put him in a police car.

I tell the inspector that I am a high profile person.

“Since we saw nothing in your laws about sleeping gas I had a bottle tucked away in the seat fold. When we got to this area, I opened it up. He wasn’t all there to begin with. He rambled on about me being a demon and casting a spell over Rose.”

I add one last nail.

“Limo looks good for being torn apart by demons. A mind is a terrible thing when it goes off center. As far as him, I really can’t bring myself to press charges. Just get him the help he needs.”

By this time Basil and Karl pull up. Rose Harcourt and Devon get out of the back seat.

Karl looks at the limo and remarks that all he did was hot wire it. He says he was at lunch when someone said the Brad had been kidnaped. Rose runs over

“Thank God you are all right.”

Meanwhile Jimmy is screaming from the back seat of the police car.

“Shoot them, they’re all demons.”

He keeps on saying it until the inspector tells them to take him to the mental hospital for evaluation. On the way back Devon whispers to Rose that the sudden appearance has been wiped from the memories of those that were there. We arrived in town with you.

“I have to ask, how are my wives?”

“They are okay but you and Rose are flying home tonight. At their insistence.”

I look at Rose, “You coming?”

“You have to ask?”