Galactic Axia Adventure 1: Escape to Destiny by Jim Laughter Read Free Book Online Page A

narrow-faced, hawkish woman continued to talk on the phone.
    While he surveyed her desk, Mr. Hassel mused that it looked overly neat and little used. He as certain very little productive work ever got done there. It was then that he noticed the indicators on the phone the director was using were not even lit. Recognizing the game, Mr. Hassel decided they could gain more by going along with the sham.
    Motioning his wife to follow his lead, and without waiting for the director to tell them to, Mr. Hassel sat down. Hornbeck frowned at them and then continued with her bogus call.
    The standoff went on for several minutes, during which time he thought the woman should receive an acting award for her ability to fake a supposed two-way conversation. Pasting smiles on their faces, the Hassels continued in their efforts to outwait the director.
    Frowning at them again, she finally concluded the call and turned her attention to the couple. “What may I do for you?” Ms. Hornbeck said with poised sweetness. Feigning the forgetfulness of old age, Mr. Hassel acted startled at her question.
    Assuming he was both hard of hearing and probably a little senile, the director repeated her question, this time enunciating the words louder with exaggerated lip motions. “I said, may I help you?”
    “You don’t have to holler,” answered Mr. Hassel. “We’re not deaf. We’re here to inquire about Delmar Eagleman.”
    At the mention of Delmar’s name, Hornbeck’s expression clouded and she spoke quietly into the intercom. After a minute, the secretary of her assistant supervisor brought in a file and placed it on her desk. She perched her glasses on the end of her nose and opened the file. Peering down through her bifocals gave her the appearance of looking at something distasteful on her desk. After a minute, she closed the file and looked up.
    “I see you’ve inquired before, Mr. Hassel,” she said tartly. “You know what the court said. What brings you here today?”
    “I was wondering if there has been any change in your agency’s determination about the boy,” Mr. Hassel replied.
    “We thoroughly investigated your accusations against his older brother and found the situation didn’t merit change. According to our evaluation, he is an exemplary citizen and doing an excellent job of caring for his younger brother,” she replied gruffly.
    Mr. Hassel didn’t care to be called a liar but held his temper in check. “Are you sure?” he asked evenly.
    “I most certainly am!” Prudence Hornbeck answered hotly. “I have the report from the investigator right here in the file!” She flipped the file open and stabbed a page with a bony index finger.
    The tension in the room was broken when the assistant to the director came into the office. After a hurried conference, she and the director left the room.
    Mr. Hassel slid forward in his seat and scanned the report, reading it upside down. He noticed the investigation had been made by telephone with the investigator asking Delmar’s older brother if anything was wrong. The response recorded was negative, followed by a comment from the investigator about nosey busybody neighbors. Mr. Hassel also noted that the report was dated over two months after he had filed the complaint. He slid back in his seat just as Hornbeck returned to the room.
    “You’re still here?” she asked. It was obvious she wanted them to leave.
    “We were just leaving,” answered Mr. Hassel. He and his wife stood. “Thank you for your time,” he added as they moved toward the door.
    “The matter is closed, Mr. Hassel,” Hornbeck said curtly as the couple slid by. “Further interference by you will have serious repercussions!”
    “I’m sure they will!” Mr. Hassel said, casting an angry glare at the director. He and Mrs. Hassel exited the building.
    As soon as they were again in their ground car, Mrs. Hassel spoke her mind. “Of all the self-righteous, pompous, self-serving pinheads I’ve ever