Hi there! So glad you all liked the first chapter! This is so much fun to write! Just a quick side note: I know in JW Claire is distant from the world around her, calling the dinos assets, but it was Owen who helped her realize they were living animals. I kind of dimmed that down a little since Claire is married to Owen in this story. I see her teetering between seeing them as assets, but also understanding they are actual dinosaurs. So I know Claire's personality is a little different in this story than in the movie, but remember, she's married and has a child. I love her character in FK, so I fed off that. Enjoy chapter 2! Don't forget to review!
I pulled up to the back gate and punched in my employee code. The gate raised and I drove through.
Pausing at the security gate I smiled as Officer Morales ducked his head to meet my eyes. "Good morning, Mrs. Grady." He tipped his hat in my direction.
"Good morning, Officer Morales." I answered and handed him my security badge to scan.
The gates opened and he handed me back my badge. "Have a good day!"
"You, too!" I stuck my hand out the window to wave and drove on.
I quickly found my parking spot, clearly marked: Operations Manager Parking Only.
As I stepped out of my car the morning heat was heavy on my skin. I quickly checked myself in the reflection of my tinted windows and took a deep breath. This was going to be a long morning.
I walked with my eyes focused in front of me through the hall. I was too late to stop and talk to anyone.
Zara stood up behind her desk and I waved her away. I didn't have time for messages. With my office door in view, I picked up my pace. My hand reached for the door knob just as a shadow fell over me.
"Clair." The voice was flat. unamused.
I glanced quickly back at Zara. "I tried to warn you." She shrugged.
I took a deep breath and turned to see Hoskins, trying to make himself seem taller to tower over me.
"Shouldn't you be at the raptor paddock?" My voice was just as flat as his. I didn't know him very well, but I did know how much he pissed off Owen. So naturally I disliked him.
Hoskins raised his arm up, resting his hand against my door and leaned against it. I almost laughed at the way he was trying to be intimidating. "Did you sign off on the reports from your husband?"
I pushed open the door and he stumbled forward. I couldn't hide my smug grin.
Owen knew Hoskins was pushing for a field test with the raptors. He knew they weren't ready, so he would refuse to hand in his progress reports. With me being the one that has to sign off on them, I get to hear the complaining of his lack of enthusiasm.
Hoskins plopped down on one of the chairs in front of my desk and I continued around to my filing cabinet. I could see Hoskins' eyes on me from the reflection in the window. I shivered. Rather than bending over to search for the papers, I squatted down. Hoskins huffed in disapproval.
"Here." I said and tossed the file on my desk. He leaned forward, grabbed the file off my desk, and made himself comfortable again.
I glanced at my watch. "If you don't mind I have somewhere I have to be—"
Hoskins threw his hand in the air. "This is not from last week. This is what I asked for three weeks ago." He growled and threw the papers back on my desk.
I shrugged. "That is what he gave me. You have a problem with his tardiness, take it up with him. That's not my problem. He works for you." Everyone that works on this island knows that my work relationship with Owen is completely different than our private one. Before we even got married we swore to each other that our private lives would not interfere with our careers. Hoskins is the only one that ever tried to make me test the boundaries. InGen hired Owen to work with the raptors. I am the one that just oversees the program.
He stood up and stepped around my desk."He's your husband. I want those reports."
I rolled my eyes and turned to walk to my door.
"I don't have time for this. He's your employee, not mine. What he does on the clock has nothing to do with me. He's your problem right now. Not mine." I opened my door and stood aside. "Now if you don't mind I have a meeting I'm late for."
Hoskins walked slowly towards my door and I tapped my foot impatiently. He tipped his head in Zara's direction and walked away.
"Sorry," she bit her bottom lip.
I shook my head. "I was in a rush. Don't worry about it. You tried to warn me." I threw her my most sincere smile and shut my office door, locking it behind me. "I'll be back. My phone is off limits for the next hour." I knew I didn't need to remind her, but I wanted to be sure I didn't get any interruptions.
"Of course. Good luck!" She called after me. I waved as I rounded the corner towards the elevators.
I didn't have time to go over my notes for the meeting, so I took the time in the elevator running through my notes in my mind. "Hal Osterly, vice president. Jim Drucker, bad hair. Erica Brand, deserves better. Hal, Jim, Erica, Hal, Jim, Erica and I am Claire." I hummed to myself and checked my watched once more as the elevator came to a stop on the main floor. "Three minutes late." I blamed Hoskins. The elevator doors opened and I went into business mode. The small group of investors were already there waiting for me. "Welcome to Jurassic World." Their faces were eager and I fed off of that.
I stepped off the elevator and reached my hand out to the first man. "Mr. Osterly, I presume."
He already looked impressed. "Yes, Mrs. Grady" He took my hand lightly and I gave a firm shake. Satisfied when his eyes widened in surprise. "You have quite the operation going on here." He let go of my hand to look around.
I smiled. "You haven't seen anything yet, Mr. Osterly."
Turning my attention to the woman, her hand was already stretching out towards me. I took it quickly. "Thank you for coming Ms. Brand."
"My pleasure." She smiled warmly.
With my hand still stretched in front of me I turned to my last investor. He was young. His cheeks flushed red when I caught his eyes staring at my legs. Owen was right, I already had this one in the palm of my hand. "Mr.—" He cut me off, taking my hand eagerly in his.
"Jim." His eyes locked on mine and I blinked, looking down at our hands. My grip loosened, but he still held on.
"Shall we?" I gestured with my left hand since my right was still being held prisoner. Jim glanced at my ring and dropped my hand. I almost felt bad for the flash of disappointment in his eyes.
"Yes, please." Hal was impatient.
"This way." I took the lead and the others followed closely behind. I fell into the familiar step— walking at a steady pace, confident and spoke clearly. "While year over year, revenue continues to climb, operating costs are higher than ever." We continued down the hallway congested with guests pressed up against the glass of the lab. I moved on as they followed closely behind, hanging on to every word. "Our shareholders have been patient, but let's face it. No one is impressed by a dinosaur anymore. Twenty years ago, de-extinction was right up there with magic. Today's kids look at a stegosaurus like an elephant from the city zoo." I turned, taking us into the lab and continued my speech I've spoke a million times before. "But that doesn't mean asset development is falling behind. Our DNA excavators discover a new species every year," I turned to look at the group. "But consumers want them bigger, louder, more teeth."
Each one of them were intrigued. I had them right where I wanted them. without pausing I continued, "The good news? Our advances in gene splicing have opened up a whole new frontier." I turned back around and continued our walk. My confidence bubbling over. "We've learned more from genetics in the past decade than a whole century of digging up bones."
I took a few more steps and paused at the research wall, complete with numbers and different variations to seal the investors interest. "So," I continued as they studied the screens behind me. "when you said you want to sponsor an attraction, what exactly do you have in mind?"
They glanced at each other and Hal spoke for the group. "We want to be thrilled." He stated.
"Don't we all," I agreed as I turned to spin the DNA on the screen. This was the DNA of our newest species. "The Indominus Rex. Our first genetically modified hybrid."
Jim asked the first question. "How did you get two different kinds of dinosaurs to, you now…" He twisted his hands trying to sound professional.
Dr. Wu, who had been listening from a distance took over in answering his question. "Indominus wasn't bred. She was designed. She will be fifty feet long when fully grown," he glance at Jim and smirked, "bigger than the t-rex."
I stepped forward taking over again. "Every time we've unveiled a new asset. attendance has spiked." I made sure to look each one in the eyes, "Global news coverage, celebrity visitors, eyes of the world."
Hal was sold. "When will she be ready?"
Dr. Wu glanced at him before smiling at me. He, too knew the deal was as good as done. "She already is," he answered.
"If you'll follow me I can go ahead and get the paperwork started," I squeezed Dr. Wu's arm as I led the group back out of the lab.
"Your team never disappoints, Mrs. Grady." Hal took the lead of the group.
I winked at him, "We have the best."
He pulled out his phone and fell further behind me as we headed back towards the elevator.
"Mommy!" My eyes shot up to see Maisie and Beth walking into the main lobby. She waved quickly before skipping over to the sand pile to join some other kids who were digging up bones.
I waved quickly and pressed the button for the elevator. Thankfully Jim or Erica didn't notice my little distraction. Hal was still busy on his phone. Jim and Erica were too intent on listening to him.
They followed me into the elevator and I smiled to myself as the doors closed. I could pick out Maisie's high pitched giggles over everyone in the room.
Hal hung up his phone just as we made it up to the main offices. We walked into a bigger conference room where packets were already laid out on the table in front of 3 chairs. Bless you, Zara I thought to myself.
Each of them dove into the paperwork and I silently crossed the room for a glass of water.
After what seemed like forever Hal stood up, tucking the paper into his briefcase. The others followed his motion.
"Well, Mrs. Grady, I look forward to the big reveal." He smiled and reached for my hand.
I sighed, smiling back at him. "You won't be disappointed, Mr. Osterly."
"I'm sure I won't," he agreed. "Do you mind if we take a look around the lobby on our way out?"
I shook my head, "Not at all. Any questions please don't hesitate to call me."
I walked with them back to the elevator and waved as the door shut. That was done. I let out my breath and wondered how long I was holding it.
"Need this?" Zara asked, holding up a cup of coffee.
"Yes," I sighed and took it as I unlocked my office door.
"Your sister called twice. I let it go to your voicemail." Zara informed me.
"Thanks, I'll call her back." I answered as I walked into my office.
Taking a long sip of my coffee before dropping into my chair. I kicked my heels off, thankful for the moment of silence. I leaned back in my chair until it tilted back and closed my eyes, glad the first part of my morning was over.
The intercom on my desk buzzed and I groaned. Placing my cup on the desk, I reached for the button. "Yes, Zara?"
"You have a tiny person here who seems to be your double." Zara's voice was amused and I could here Maisie giggling both behind the door and over the intercom.
"I don't know of this being you are referring to." I played along.
"Mom!" Maisie laughed.
"I'm coming," I giggled and got up to open the door.
The door barely creaked open and Maisie shoved through, throwing her arms around my waist.
"How was your morning?" I asked, running my fingers through her hair.
"Good! I finished my page and Beth graded it. I put it on the counter in the kitchen." Maisie answered as she wondered over to my chair and sat down, spinning herself around.
"Thank you, Beth. I'll have Owen call you when they are done with lunch. Bring the boys back to the house so they can drop their luggage off. Then you can bring them here and I'll meet you downstairs."
She nodded. "No problem," she waved at Maisie. "Have a good lunch with your dad."
"I will," Maisie answered, still spinning herself in circles. She stopped and stumbled dizzily towards Beth. "See you in a little while." She hugged her and tumbled backwards, landing on her bottom. "I'm so dizzy!" She threw her head back laughing.
I rolled my eyes, smiling down at her before turning my attention back at Beth. "Have a nice break."
"I will," she waived and turned to leave.
When I turned back to Maisie she was laying on the floor. "Mom, your ceiling is spinning."
"You're a nut," I cooed and bent down to tickle her belly peeking out from where her favorite butterfly shirt rode up over her jean shorts.
She squealed with delight.