Midas Touch by Frankie J. Jones Read Free Book Online

than was courteous before responding.
    “Good morning, Charles. What did you need to see me about?” she began, trying to cut off any chance of chitchat.
    His eyebrows shot up as he let out a short whistle. “Where’d you get that?” he asked, pointing to the wound above her eye.
    Her hand moved to touch the cut before she could stop herself. “It’s nothing. Did you have something you needed to see me about?”
    He was on the verge of making another comment when she pierced him with the famous Tate glare. A flash of resentment crossed his face, but he hid it as he leaned over and retrieved the first of his boards.

    “Here are the layouts for the Madison Medical Complex. I know we were going to review them at tomorrow’s staff meeting, but I wanted to get your feedback.” He held up a board displaying an extremely young woman who wore little more than a tool belt and held a screwdriver with its handle resting suggestively against her chin.
    Sandra felt the burning in her stomach expand. She started to reach for another antacid, but stopped. She was taking too many. Suppressing her impatience, she asked, “Charles, what does this display have to do with doctors or dentists? Why have you brought these to me? You report to Gordon. You know everything should go through him first.”
    The Madison Medical Complex was a cluster of historic buildings Sandra discovered on one of her routine scouting drives. Whenever she had time or needed to get away from the office, she took random drives around the city looking for sites or buildings that appealed to her. Occasionally, she would discover a hidden jewel like what was to become the medical complex. The buildings were located near one of the larger hospitals and after renovation, Sandra planned to market them as office space for doctors and dentists.
    Sandra studied Charles, wondering if he would ever change.
    Tate Enterprise hired him last year fresh out of college. He often irritated co-workers and showed weak customer skills, but he held promises of being Dallas’ next advertising genius.
    Unfortunately, Sandra had soon discovered most of Charles’
    advertising ideas revolved around subtle and sometimes not so subtle sex.
    “Sandra, sex sells.” He flashed her a smile meant to charm her, but it only served to irritate her more.
    “Not at Tate Enterprises it doesn’t. I’ve told you this is not the image I want portrayed. What else do you have?” He held up three more boards, all as bad as the first. Again she pushed her annoyance down, and caused her stomach a new wave of pain.
    “Have you even shown these to Gordon?”
    Gordon Wayne was the vice president of marketing. Charles

    should have taken the boards to him for approval.
    “Yes, but you know how old fashioned Gordon is. I wanted to show you the designs. I knew you could better appreciate the need to sell.”
    “They won’t do!” Sandra snapped, harsher than she intended.
    Anger flushed his cheeks. He started to protest, but she held up her hand to stop his comment.
    Have something more appropriate prepared for the staff meeting tomorrow. You know what I’m looking for.” She rose to signal the meeting was over.
    He snatched up the boards. “I won’t have time to work up new layouts by tomorrow.”
    Sandra leaned across her desk, her voice dropping drastically. “You knew what I wanted, and you’ve had two months to produce something. I want a new series of appropriate layouts by tomorrow. They are due to the printers on Monday morning.
    And Charles, if you want to continue with Tate Enterprises, I suggest you start listening.”
    He stormed out of her office without replying. As the door slammed behind him, the pains hit her, sharper and more intense. She fell back into her chair and clutched her chest. She struggled to breathe, fighting the fear gripping her. Slowly the pain subsided. She was chewing the last of the antacids when Allison came in.
    “Sandra, I have the proposals…” She