A Damaged Trust by Amanda Carpenter Read Free Book Online Page A

carefully as if unsure of her reaction. “I’m looking for someone to take some pictures of the site of the shopping centre I’m building. They must be of high quality and, preferably, of some originality, for I’m hoping to catch some very picky eyes.
    “All the outside construction is complete, and I’ll be advertising soon to different and rather exclusive businesses to rent the store spaces still available. I respect your work—would you consider the job?”
    Nice, she thought. Just flattering enough to make me feel pleased with praise, and then the question. You’re smooth, Mr. Jackson, I’ll give you that. She said aloud and simply, “No.” His eyes began to harden and he opened his mouth to speak, but she hastily intervened. “It’s nothing against you—really. I’ve apologized for that unfortunate afternoon last week already, please don’t make me do it again! I’m on vacation now, Mr. Jackson, a much earned and needed one, I might add. I wouldn’t take the job from anybody. I promise.” Good heavens! Why she felt the need to justify herself to this man, she had no idea! Carrie shut her mouth to avoid saying more.
    Gabe studied her carefully, his eyes going slowly over the lines of her face, the curve of her neck, the blue eyes looking at him so steadily. What he saw seemed to satisfy him and he nodded slightly. “The name is Gabe, or Gabriel,” he said quietly. She smiled and nodded, and he continued, “Would you do something for me? Would you at least come to the site and look around before you tell me no definitely? At least look at the place. I believe you might like the architectural style.”
    She started to shake her head, but this time Gabe forestalled her. “Please.” There was a great deal of charm in the smile he gave her and it had her closing her eyes and agreeing with him, when she really wanted to say no. He sounded quite satisfied with himself as he continued, “The price of payment could be negotiable, say, something around maybe…” He named a figure that made her eyes pop open.
    “Mr. Jackson—all right, Gabe, I’m not in a position yet to be asking quite that much money for my work!” she remarked, with some heat. “And if you’ve looked into photography like you’ve said, you should know that.”
    He looked serious and he sounded serious too. “It’s worth it to me,” he replied briefly. “I want a good photographer, an artistic one, and I know your work. If the price I’ve named makes you pause and reconsider, well then, all the better!” There was a subtle difference in Gabe now, a change that Carrie registered almost subconsciously. Gone was the teasing and charming voice of a few minutes ago and in its place was a neutral, calm tone. He was relaxed in his chair, but he held himself well in a controlled way, not sprawling ungainly. And yet, behind his seemingly neutral tone, she sensed an implacability and sense of purpose that was a totally different thing apart from her father’s petulant stubbornness. She began to see what this man would be like in business, and she searched for a word to describe what she perceived. After a moment she came up with one: powerful. Not only did Gabe exude an aura of physical power, his personality was powerful also.
    It seemed, however, that he was adept at submerging his own persona1ity when he made an effort to charm another. Carrie was rather uncomfortably aware that he had manipulated her into an agreement when her original and stronger impulse had been a refusal. It was an unpleasant thought.
    “Hello,” purred a female voice from somewhere just beyond Carrie’s range of vision. She didn’t bother to look around, though, as she registered the owner of that voice with dismay. Erica had apparently tracked down her prey at last. Light footsteps clicked across the concrete pavement and checked abruptly. Then, like resuming its normal tick, they clicked closer.
    Enter Lady Macbeth, Carrie saluted silently.
    “Why,