Chapter 39 – March
May 5. 2012
'Lord this day came fast,' Eamon thought. He could hear the string quartet playing Bach while the guests were being seated. 'I am amazed I can hear the quartet over this babble!' He thought uncharitably as he observed Kate's eleven bridesmaids (ten cousins and Mia), and her maid of honor, Ana. Her bridesmaids were attired in bright yellow gowns. Ana wore a hot pink gown. 'How did Celeste talk me into hosting such a huge wedding?' He shook his head.
As Cannon in D by Pachelbel began playing, the attendants began the slow walk down the aisle. "If you want to run," Eamon said, "I have the keys to Ethan's convertible. They're yours if you want them." He patted his jacket pocket.
"Mom would shoot you for joking like that," Kate smiled and kissed her father's cheek. It was an awkward sort of kiss…hampered by a wedding bouquet the size of a 30-gallon trash can lid. He had never seen such a riot of colors…not even during their tour of the Bahamas. Vivid yellows, hot pink, coral, emerald green, electric blue…
"She should have shot me when this wedding planning stuff started," Eamon argued. "I deserve some of that champagne…so let's get this started." They stepped through the archway and waited for the sounds of the Wedding March by Mendelssohn.
"Walk slowly," Eamon asked. "This is the only time I will do this; so let's make it memorable." Truth was…Kate's gown was a meringue designed by Celeste. Eamon had to walk carefully to not tread on the very expensive white silk and satin creation. Eamon couldn't tear his eyes away…the groom, best man and groomsmen were attired in emerald green tuxedos. Finally they finished the walk down the aisle. Eamon waited until the priest asked who gives this woman to this man.
"Her mother and I," Eamon said, shaking Elliot's hand before placing Kate's hand in it. He kissed Kate's cheek, and took his place of honor next to Celeste. He sighed happily…thankful this was almost over and he could enjoy the surf and turf for the reception…until Kate fainted.
"It's too warm in here," a coral clad Celeste pressed smelling salts into his hand. "Revive her so we can finish this and move to some place cooler and drink cold champagne."
Eamon brought Kate around, noting her momentary confusion at being on the floor. Elliot helped Kate to her feet.
"Are you ready to continue?" The priest asked.
"I take this as a sign from God that I shouldn't do this," Kate reached in Eamon's jacket pocket for Ethan's keys, gathered her gown, under skirts and crinolines to her knees and bolted.
Everyone stood there…stunned to silence…which was broken by hysterical sobbing from Kate's mother and grandmothers.
Kate hit the main doors of St. James Cathedral and the sunshine from the outdoors flooded the church…Eamon sat bolt upright in bed. 'What the fuck kind of dream was that?' He felt a chill race down his spine and goose bumps made his body shiver.
He reached for his cell phone and texted Kate immediately…no meringue wedding gown, no bridal bouquet the size of a garbage can lid, no twelve attendants for her in vibrant yellow or hot pink, no twelve attendants for Elliot in emerald green tuxedos. There! The Father of the Bride has spoken!
March 2
"I'm sorry I had to reschedule your release evaluation." Elizabeth's doctor apologized. "Let conduct your final evaluation. You cannot get plastic surgery, especially on your eyes. Not with that nerve damage. I think, as you get older, you will be pleased. The nerve damage will act like Botox. You will not get wrinkles as easily on that eye."
"I understand." Elizabeth wanted to get this over with. Twenty minutes later, she had a signed release form. She stopped at the billing station, and urged them to submit the last of their bills to her bank. She wanted an end to the situation.
Elizabeth went to the Capital Grille. She ordered an excellent lunch, with good coffee and enjoyed the pleasant view. She started making lists of things to do. She didn't want her furniture, condo, car, etc. She wanted to streamline her exodus from Seattle. It was ever so pleasant to sit here, drinking coffee and enjoying the day; knowing Grey Publishing was paying her wages until July first, in addition to her insurance. She reviewed her plans.
Once everything was sold, and the money banked, she could stay in Seattle until the fifteenth of April. She could buy a new car and drive across the country. From April first to the fifteenth; she would tour the Olympic Peninsula, beginning and ending in Seattle. Contrary to the online tour guide; she had no intention of doing 300 miles in ten hours. She wanted to see the Olympic National Park and Forest; and the Hoh Rainforest. She wanted to take some day cruises to watch for whales. She would tour the Washington-Oregon Coast, from Brookings, Oregon to San Juan Island.
From April fifteenth to the first weekend in May; she would tour the Northwest National Parks. Seattle to Couer d'Alene to Glacier National Park. Then drop south to Bozeman, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Jackson and Flaming Gorge. A little jaunt over to Glenwood Springs – which would be a perfect place for soaking in hot springs. On to Moab Arches, Bryce and Zion Canyons. End in Las Vegas. At Vegas, she wanted to attend a Kentucky Derby event; go rafting down the Colorado River, and see the Valley of Fire (which had intrigued her since the TV miniseries The Stand).
From Las Vegas, she would drive to Santa Monica to begin the Interstate 10 portion of the trip. L.A., the Salton Sea, and Joshua Tree National Park. Then on to Phoenix and Tucson. Stops at El Paso, San Antonio, and Houston. Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Then Mobile, Tallahassee and Jacksonville. She would arrive in Florida after spring break – YAY! She had been around enough college students – those fucking stupid little interns. She was grateful to Carrick Grey for keeping them from suing her in addition to SIP/GP.
From Jacksonville she would drive north for the Outer Banks Scenic Highway; 138 miles on Route 12 past coastal villages, ferries, lighthouses, museums, and lots of beaches. She intended to find a house on the Outer Banks…something high on a hill where she could look out on the ocean daily. Swimming, sailing, social life…Elizabeth didn't need a million dollar showplace…she needed a spacious inviting casual abode. Purchasing a place, decorating it – maybe one mil at the most. The remaining three million divided by sixty years was a payday of $50K per year; a little more than what she made now through Grey Publishing. However, with the right investments; her nest egg could provide her with $100,000 a year. However, to start over, she needed to get started. Drop off her release, contact an estate sales company; hire a realtor to sell her condo; ship items to her parents to hold in storage for her until she was moved; scout the online ads for a home by the sea.
March 7
"Ana – next weekend you must come with us. It's National Reading Week and there is a huge convention at WSCC." Trisha included Ana in the discussion at the editorial meeting.
"When was the last time one of our books won a national award? When was the last time one was nominated?" Ana asked. "Unless it is absolutely necessary for me to attend; I think I'll pass."
"I think that might be a good idea," Jerry Roach commented.. "There isn't any e-Publishing seminars. There's still a great deal of interest in us since the class action lawsuit." He shrugged apologetically at Ana and began the editorial meeting.
~X~
"I stopped to see if you want to go shopping this weekend for clothes to wear to Elliot and Kate events," Mia apologized for just dropping by.
"Thanks but I'm good." Ana sorted through the new rack of clothes delivered today by Carolyn Acton. "I'm glad I got a chance to veto things before Carolyn Acton sent them over."
Mia examined the clothes hung on the spare rack. "What is your criteria for selecting these clothes?"
"The four C's – classic cut, classy color, catty-woman censure proof, and couture approved by Celeste Kavanagh." Ana continued the dress sort. "I feel like Penelope Pure-heart tied to the railroad tracks while the Kavanagh-Grey nuptial train is gathering momentum. I'm not spending every weekend for the next seven weeks mired down in Kate's wedding details…especially when I have to turn around and repeat it again for Christian and my nuptials. I will lose my mind!"
"Kate's right…you're no fun to shop with," Mia examined the rack of clothes.
"I'm no fun because I'd rather read than try on clothes, shop for shoes, coo over handbags, lust over jewels and destroy my credit card balance?" Ana jested.
"Okay, I understand you grew up on a budget. I accept that Kate and I are rabid shoppers. I just hope you'll learn to like shopping."
"Oh, I don't think so. Christian and I discussed this. He knows I hate shopping. He has a personal shopper for his clothes. I agreed to have Carolyn Acton as a personal shopper. She and I will discuss my preferences before she sends over a trunk show of clothes."
"Ana," Mia's voice sounded painful. "Do you think you will ever give a damn about which designer you are wearing?"
"Nope. Carolyn agreed to index cards on each hanger with the name of the dress designer, shoe designer, handbag designer and jewelry designer. I will read the cards; not the labels. She will make sure I'm not a blithering idiot at red carpet events."
"Well…" Mia selected a blouse off the rack. "This one is identical to that one, just one shade lighter. This dress is identical to that dress, just one shade darker." She moved the offending items to an empty rack. "These three pairs of shoes are identical to ones you have…but these are ankle breakers for you." Mia moved them aside. "These two purses are just butt ugly and you already have plenty to cause problems for you. Send those things back." Mia took a deep breath. "I love doing this to closets." She weeded six dresses, three shirts, two twin sets, three skirts, four pairs of pants, eight pairs of shoes and ten handbags to a donate section. She moved Ana's navy raincoat with matching umbrella, tote and waterproof boots there also. "Those are a little worn, tired, or threadbare. You don't need to replace anything except the raincoat ensemble. Do you have a place to donate them?"
"Yes, and thank you." Ana sighed with relief.
"Call me the next time you get a shipment from Carolyn." Mia advised.
March 16
Elliot set twelve pink bakery boxes on the table in Christian's private conference room. He removed items from a backpack: a knife, a cake server, napkins, plates and forks. He set plastic bags with three poker chips beside the plates.
"What are you doing?" Christian raised an eyebrow.
"Mother says men who don't care about wedding details don't care about the marriage details. Consequently, I'm picking the men's tuxes, the music, and helping pick the food and booze for the reception." Elliot snarked at Christian. "Now, I want you and your staff to fork up and help me pick cake flavors." He indicated twelve different six-inch round, two-tiered sample cakes. "Everyone has a red, white and blue poker chip. You put blue by your favorite flavor; red by your second choice; white by your last choice."
"Why aren't you inflicting this on your construction workers instead of commandeering my conference table?" Christian asked.
"Too much sugar makes their power tools quiver," Elliot snarked.
March 17
"Morning," Ray brought Bee coffee in bed.
"What did I do to deserve this?" Bee sipped her coffee and sighed with gratitude.
"I would never tell you what to do. I know the last two letters you got from your buddies upset you. I say, invite all of them here…especially the ones who seem to be at a loss about what to do…or where to go. Elliot can use more hands on deck at the complex, especially since he's getting married. If any of your people can paint, hammer or saw…the complex can use them. Plus, Washington Warriors are there to help with PTSD and health issues." Ray sipped his tea.
"I think that's a great idea." Bee kissed him. "After breakfast, I'll send a broadcast email."
~X~
Darius Mills read Bee's email with interest. Right now he was settled in at the Starlight Motel on the outskirts of Felony Flats (a rough neighborhood of Las Vegas). Mrs. Feldman, the motel owner, was the grandmother of a high school friend. She rented the smallest kitchenette unit at the hotel to him and Morse for $450 a month and handyman work. Darius cleaned the pool, mowed the lawn, sweep sidewalks, and occasionally cleaned rooms. He cleaned his own room, and washed his own bed and bath linens and clothes. He and Morse had a cozy shelter and hot showers. Darius received his mail there with his vets disability check directly deposited.
Needless to say – 911, animal control and crime scene cleaners were on Mrs. Feldman's speed dial. They disinfected and washed items which could be donated, and put the other stuff in the dumpsters. Morse warned them of two corpses; who died of natural causes (thank god)! When Mrs. Feldman cleaned the rooms; she put miscellaneous items on his kitchen table or in his refrigerator. Unopened food and beverages; books; DVDs; and coupons for cheap buffets or meals at various casinos. Darius didn't gamble; but he wasn't adverse to eating $1.99 breakfasts which were usually a veggie and cheese omelet, two pieces of bacon, hash browns and toast with coffee. He wasn't adverse to footlong sub sandwiches and a cold beer for $2.99. He wasn't adverse to a free Wednesday night BBQ buffet or a free Friday night seafood buffet.
Darius loved the desert around Las Vegas. He was used to sandpits, especially after two tours in the Middle East. His last tour ended badly when a piece of shrapnel from an IED took one sixth of his right glut; back right thigh and back right calf. His leg bones were still intact, but the shrapnel sliced through his muscles, like a hot knife through butter. The metal cauterized his wounds before embedding itself at his feet. Eight of their sixteen-person unit lost their lives. Three people, including Bee, lost a limb. Darius and Morse developed PTSD and retired together.
Morse, a four-year-old German Shepperd, was trained to be a bomb sniffing dog for the military. He was named Morse, because when sleeping, his left paw would staccato beat. Everyone laughed and said he was counting sheep. Darius used some of his savings to have Morse retrained as a cadaver dog. It had been his intention to join a Search and Rescue unit with Morse…but neither of them were sociable these days. For a long time, he and Morse visited the walk-in vet clinics in Las Vegas, spreading cheer to those who needed it. But he learned the hard way…Las Vegas was not where he should be on New Year's Eve, Memorial Day, Fourth of July or grand openings of new casinos.
Consequently, Darius and Morse began camping trips in the desert. Mrs. Feldman convinced him to apply for a mining permit from Clark County. Darius researched and gathered necessary equipment – like a solar powered weather radio and a handheld spectrometer to identify rocks and minerals he found. He bought a quality mineral detector to find gold and silver. In addition to a tent, ground cloth and sleeping bag; Darius purchased a large military backpack (hydration compatible with a four-gallon water bladder) to hold a trowel and mini rake, whisk broom, graduated sizes of leather bags, gloves, field first aid kit, battery operated lantern, mess kit for him, water and food bowl for Morse, in addition to normal needs like duct tape, rope, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, bandana, spare clothes, water purifying tablets; toilet paper, wet wipes and MRE. He could stay out for a week if there was a water source; three days if he had to carry water for Morse and him. With the metal detector, spectrometer and radio; his pack usually weighed in at seventy pounds.
Mrs. Feldman dropped him at the highway closest to his mining claim at dawn on day one. He and Morse would hike in, set camp, explore and enjoy counting stars. She would pick him up at sunset on day three or day five. He had a pickup truck, but would not leave it sitting by the road when he was exploring.
The first of the month he paid $450 for rent. Then he used Mrs. Feldman's WIFI to access his Amazon prime account. He ordered three cases of canned dog food, a 30-pound bag of dry dog food; three cases of soup; a case of various kinds of boxed pasta meals; and two cases of MRE for hiking/camping. He purchased a supply package of toiletries which included shampoo, body wash and bar soap, toothpaste, toothbrush and dental floss; razor and shaving cream; wet wipes; deodorant, sunscreen and lip balm. He ordered herb teas for muscle aches and sleep/relaxation. He paid for his Plan B Medicare insurance, his life insurance and his car insurance. His only other bill was his burner cell phone.
When Darius found bounty in the desert; he purchased things like tires and upkeep for his truck; and a membership at a shooting range. He bought clothes in packs as he needed them: three brown colored t-shirts; five pairs of boxers; or ten pairs of socks. He raided local military surplus and thrift stores for cargo pants and various cargo jackets. The only clothes he didn't economize on were his boots. He preferred coyote brown leather military and tactical boots for the desert which cost him $100-150 per pair.
As interesting as Bee's offer was…he and Morse were settled for a while. He enjoyed the hikes, the camping out, and felt a thrill when he found interesting items like geodes, meteorites and gold and silver nuggets. He put Morse's service dog halter on him; and drove to the VFW. Tonight was green beers and corned beef dinner for $10. "Don't be a mooch," he warned Morse. "You have to learn to say no to pretty ladies."
March 18
"Noooo…let me sleep…." Ana protested when Christian tried to wake her while it was still dark out.
"Come on. I laid out clothes for you…jeans, t-shirt, hoody, chucks."
"Sunday paper…pancakes…later." Ana protested.
"Dress now…adventure awaits!" Christian smacked her ass before heading for the great room.
Ana groaned. She performed her morning ablutions. pulled on her clothes, brushed her hair into a ponytail…and wished for more sleep.
"Conditions are perfect for soaring today. Excellent visibility and wind conditions means we might be able to soar for an hour or two. Someday I will take you north, to the San Juan and maybe near Mt. Rainier. Today I want to take you over the Pacific Coast. No engine noise and scenery that goes on forever. We're going to chase the dawn, Anastasia." Christian held out his hand, pulling Ana into the elevator.
March 20
"I'm so glad to see you," Ana hugged Gwen. "We're less than two months until the Kavanagh-Grey nuptials. I keep busy to avoid being overwhelmed. How was Australia?"
"Sexy…" Gwen winked. "I have presents for you." She gave Ana a golden eucalyptus leaf necklace and a large package of Tim Tams. "Those biscuits are delicious with hot tea…" she hinted. "Ros is giving Christian a couple bottles of good wine."
"I'm glad you had a good time. I want to thank you for the email you sent to me and Bee. It's helped both of us." Ana said. "I will not apologize in the future for choosing to feel safe over being polite."
"Still at odds with Carla?" Gwen asked. "I recommend gifting her The Mother Book for Mother's Day."
Ana restrained a giggle.
March 25
"No," Elliot passed the proposed guest list back to Celeste and Grace. "One hundred guests; destination wedding, U.S Virgin Islands, large yacht, May fifth, with navy blue, rose and seafoam wedding colors. Christian and Ethan are standing up for me; Ana and Mia are standing up for Kate. Men in navy, Ana and Mia in rose, seafoam for mothers and grandmothers, aunts and great aunts. Food, libations and cake flavors have been determined. Invitations have been selected. Flowers have been selected. Play nice…Mom and Celeste…and you will be spoiled with extravagant guest suites facing the beach at the destination hotel." They discussed Elliot's announcement; leaving Kate to whisper with Ana.
"I've decided I want the bridesmaids to have classic white bouquets. I want the only color to be in my bouquet. I want it to pop in the pictures. If I'm in white and my bouquet is white – it's boring. If I'm in white with the colorful bouquet, it will pop in the pictures." Kate rolled her eyes and added a huff of breath. "We picked the cake flavors. Mom is not impressed. Bottom layer is Bourbon Spice Toffee – yellow cake with toffee chips and caramel mousse. Second layer is Double Chocolate – dark chocolate cake with white chocolate and raspberry mousse. Third layer is Gingerbread – ginger cake with honey and hazelnut mousse. Our personal cake is Bourbon Spice Toffee."
"How soon are we having dress fittings?" Ana checked her schedule.
March 24
"I need help assembling the shower invites," Grace brought totes to the tables set up in the media room of Grey Manor. "Ladies…" she laid out four dozen bottles with corks, a bag of fine playground sand, sea motif charms, and paper invitations. "Take a bottle, put in two inches of sand. Insert the rolled and tied insert in the bottle. Add three charms – we have mermaids, starfish, sand dollars, clam shells and seahorses. Put the cork in the bottle and set it aside. Begin again."
"These are too girly for a manly man bachelor party," Elliot protested.
"These are for the ladies," Grace explained. "Those," she pointed at three large boxes, "are for the men." She pulled a can holder out of a box and tossed it to Elliot. It was red with black lettering. "Set Sail for Elliot's Bachelor Party! Work like a Captain; Party like a Pirate!" Elliot read the can holder aloud.
"Are we using Christian's boat?" Theo asked.
"I rented a Sea and Surf party yacht which holds 100 people – 10 crew which includes medics, 10 security, 10 servers, 10 family, 60 guests," Grace explained. "These cards are mailed with the can holders – the guys need t-shirts, swim trunks, flip flops, sunglasses and sunscreen. We will have 15-passenger vans to transport the drunks…sorry, guests, to and from the boat. Your yacht leaves the harbor for a sail at one and returns to dock at six. Ladies party the same day from two to five here at Grey Manor."
"Labels for mailing the invitations," Mia arrived with a navy folder and a rose folder. "His invites – navy folder. Her invites – rose folder." She set the guys to put an invite card in the can holder mailing box, seal the box and slap on a return address label and mailing label. Ladies, let's assemble bottles."
The Grey and Kavanagh men assembled, with Theo providing quality control. Mia gave him the postage labels to add to the boxes after the men assembled properly.
"I still think it is rude to invite ladies to a bridal shower if you aren't inviting them to the wedding." Celeste argued with Kate.
"This is a Mermaid Bachelorette party mom – not a shower. There is a Pantry Pans shower before the wedding, and it's only for wedding guests. Since we're having a destination wedding on a yacht in the Virgin Islands, the bachelor/bachelorette parties are sea motif also."
After all the invitations were assembled, it was time for a swim and one of Theo and Carrick's BBQs.
~X~
"What do you think you're doing?" Ana addressed Carrick.
He jumped, surprised to be caught in the act of raiding the refrigerator. "Raiding the refrigerator," he used his fatherly/lawyerly voice.
"Oh I don't think so, Mr. Grey." Ana stood with her hands on her hips.
"Carrick…ANA…it's Carrick." He crossed his arms over his chest.
Ana broke down into hysterical laughter. "Oh my god! That's where he gets it from."
"He who gets what?" Carrick said crossly.
"Christian…and that five-year-old pouty face." Ana laughed again.
"Does not," Carrick said, dropping his arms to his sides.
"Does too," Grace's voice joined them from the doorway.
"Told you so," Ana stuck her tongue out at Carrick.
He harrumphed and both Grace and Ana laughed.
"What was he doing, Ana?" Grace asked.
"Supposedly he was raiding the refrigerator," Ana said. "However, he skipped by the BBQ leftovers. I think he's looking for the leftover cheesecake. Kate, Mia and Celeste went to Kate's condo to address wedding invitations. Christian and Elliot are at Grey House going over the security reports for the wedding venue."
"That's what I'm seeking," Grace admitted. "Dad and Mom just left."
"You make tea and coffee for us and I'll tell you where I hid it," Ana said to Carrick. "Grace, if you get forks and plates, I'll tell you too."
Carrick brought beverages to the table. Grace brought plates, forks and napkins. Ana reached for a pie server out of the drawer and pulled out a covered container marked 'Liver and Onions'.
"This is my best kept cooking secret," Ana explained.
"Liver and onions?" Grace turned green.
"I put special leftovers, Christmas cookies, Christmas candy, etc. in 'Liver and Onions' containers." Ana laughed, taking off the lid of the container. "Of course, the container can't be one of the see-through ones. I told Kate it's because I don't want her to see the liver and onions and get nauseous." She showed them the wonderful Turtle Cheesecake she had hidden away. "Only, I was outed when Ethan and Jessica broke up. She thought liver and onions were disgusting; he donated six containers marked liver and onions from our freezer. I had to come clean to Kate and Elliot about the contents. I've been waiting to mess with the guns using that trick!"
"Yum," Grace accepted her piece of cheesecake quite happily.
March 30
"Our headhunter recommends promoting Barney to Chief Technical Officer; since he just finished getting his doctorate. The problem is…we should replace him with two people who are hands-on. Barney will make the decisions regarding development and application of new technologies. He will oversee the engineers and tech research. However promoting him means we need a new head engineer and a new head of tech research since he was performing both positions."
"Does he have someone to promote from within or do we have headhunter recommendations?" Christian asked.
"Barney apologized none of his people are ready to step up. They are busy with extended studies, or new families. None of them have the time needed to establish a new position. Barney recommends interviewing two, three and four from the head engineer list. He recommends interviewing three, four and five from the tech research list. He went to school with the rest of them. There's underlying competition issues. He said nerds have a long and unhappy memory." Ros reported.
"Make it happen – promote Barney and ask him to set interviews with his recommendations. Ask Adrian for their background checks. I don't want any surprises. I'd like to interview next week for both positions. I want them to have enough time to give notice at their job and have time to move to Seattle and start July first."
"The Chief Financial Officer position is not sought by anyone in our Finance Department." Ros wondered how her explanation would be received. "Basically; none of them want the $50 million loss to SIP/GP's lawsuit to reflect on their records. They are willing to let an outside person bite that bullet."
"When did we hire a bunch of chicken shits?" Christian snapped. "They seem to forget the new Finance Officer does not take charge until the new fiscal year."
"Cover your ass at its finest." Ros agreed. "Adrian conducted background checks on the top five recommendations. I'm not pleased with the results of any of them. I asked for the next five on the headhunter list. Adrian's running their background checks right now."
"So…our current head of finance wants to be the second in command when the dust settles." Christian looked at the background checks of current employees.
"That's the long and short of it. My long response is too colorful and my short response is hire a primary and secondary from the headhunter list." Ros suggested.
"Leaving Caprioglio in third position. It might frost her ass and cause her to leave." Christian commented.
"She's a bit crispy for my personal taste. She was two steps away from being a rude bitch at the arbitration settlement. Gwen says she acts like your entitled work wife since she has her hands on GEH's checking account. Gwen said she kept calling Ana – Ana-stay-see-uh – no matter how many times Ana corrected her." Ros revealed.
"I vote for leaving Capri in third position." Christian ordered; setting aside his third stack of folders. "If she gives Ana or Gwen any lip; she's gone with cause."
"For the Global Operations Manager, the top four of the five recommended are acceptable. Number five, Jimmy Yue from Shim Okada International, doesn't work well with female executives. Therefore…I don't want him. The rest passed their background checks. Working backwards, number four to number one; Hans Roeder of Rhine Technologies in Germany, has a network of contacts in Europe. Ibrahim Batwari of Elite Engineering of Egypt speaks six languages. He has an equal background of research and development along with marketing and global issues. Daniel Duong of Dua Industries of Shenzhen speaks English like a native and achieved a doctorate degree in business from NYU. David Cheng from Softbanks is seeking a U.S. based position since his significant just accepted a position with Verizon, Inc."
Christian reviewed the headhunter folders and background checks, making notes on pages as he went along.