Colder Than Ice by Helen MacPherson Read Free Book Online Page B

focused on identifying possible problems
likely to be encountered by astronauts during space travel, and remedying them
before any spacecraft leaves the ground. Currently I’m undertaking research on
problem-solving and decision-making, at the small group level in stressful
environments. This includes reviewing decisions made in isolation of normally
established support mechanisms a team might fall back on. I’m also looking for
the presence of possible triggers or warning signs that might indicate a
possible team breakdown.
    In
terms of extreme environments and isolation, Antarctica has previously been
used as a test bed to undertake similar research. I’m sure you’re aware that
the International Space Research Institute is currently working on a manned
mission to Mars. The information I’m collecting will be used to aid the
astronauts who will crew that mission.
    From
the perspective of your archaeological dig, you’ll be working in isolation, in
an extreme and unfamiliar environment, with a multi-disciplined team who
haven’t all worked together before. This would provide me with an invaluable
opportunity to validate the theoretical side of my research.
    Again,
my apologies for not clarifying this in my initial e-mail and hopefully this
brief explanation makes matters a little more clear. I’ll be flying to New York
this Saturday and hopefully I’ll have some good news for you after my meeting
with the Finlayson Enterprises CEO.
    Regards,
    Michela
DeGrasse
    After
sending her reply into the Internet ether, Michela headed back to her living
room and the progress report that awaited her.
    MICHELA
PUT THE finishing touches to the presentation for the following morning when
the phone rang. “Frederick, is that you?” She had left a message on
his voice mail, advising him she was going to New York.
    “No,
it’s Natalie. Were you expecting to hear from him?”
    Michela
cringed at Natalie’s clipped tones. “Yes. I wanted to let him know I’d be
out of town for a couple of days.”
    “Isn’t
that convenient. And here I was hoping I could talk with you when I return
tomorrow morning. So, when will you be home?”
    “I
should be home by mid-morning Sunday.”
    “Fine,
I’ll see you then.”
    Michela
winced at the abrupt end to the conversation. Before she could give it any
further thought, the phone rang again. “Hello, Frederick? Listen, I’ve got
to go to New York for a couple of days. Could you keep abreast of things? Yes.
There may be the opportunity for some funding. I’ll fill you in when I return.
Thanks.”
    She
gathered her notes and headed to her room to pack for the day ahead.
    VIRGINIA
BLAINEY MOTIONED to the waiting area of the CEO’s offices. “Take a seat,
Dr. DeGrasse. I’ll let Ms. Finlayson know you’re here.”
    Michela
picked up a copy of the Company’s quarterly report from a side table and made
herself comfortable. She scanned the preliminary information and turned to a
page containing a photograph of the CEO. Charlotte Finlayson was an imposing,
yet elegant woman, her soft green eyes radiating comfort and trust. Before
Michela could study the picture any further, the door across the room opened.
    Charlotte
Finlayson, elegantly dressed in a grey flannel suit, strode toward Michela.
“Dr. DeGrasse, welcome. How was your flight? I hope it wasn’t too bumpy.
My last flight from Houston was so turbulent I nearly lost my dinner. But I’m
sure you didn’t come all the way here to discuss my fear of flying. Please,
let’s go into my office.”
    Michela
followed, smiling at Charlotte Finlayson’s Yankee pragmatism. I can see how
she manages in a man’s world. She admired the understated executive
elegance of the office and found herself drawn to the painting hanging behind
Ms. Finlayson’s chair.
    Charlotte
followed Michela’s gaze. “That’s a portrait of my grandparents and their
son, Robert. In fact I’m named after my grandmother. Please, have a seat.”
    “Thank
you. I