Chapter 11

Just as he settled back into his chair and I resumed the briefing from where I’d left off, the ringing started anew. He looked down at the phone still in his hand.

“Let me guess…another urgent call, right?”

His cheeks turned a vivid scarlet. “Right.”

“Go ahead,” I blurted, standing and tromping across the office. I reached for my desk phone and typed in a number I knew by memory. “And on your way out the door, ask my assistant to set up another appointment. Next week perhaps, or whenever you’re not too busy.”

“But I—”

I held up a finger to silence him just as someone answered the phone.

“Country Land Foods, marketing research division,” said a voice into my ear.

“Rhonda Montez’s office, please. Tell her it’s Zane Caldwell at WFI returning her call.”

“One moment, please.”