Project U.L.F. by Stuart Clark Read Free Book Online Page A

until the silence in the room became oppressive. Eventually he spoke, “Well, you flatter me greatly, and it really is a generous offer…”
    “Well if it’s generous, then take it,” Mannheim interrupted, “Surely, someone who does not take up a generous offer is a fool. I thought you’d jump at it. Think of it, Wyatt, your chance to play a major role in the celebrations, no, in the history, of the IZP!”
    It seemed that Mannheim read his mind because he quickly added, “Oh, don’t worry about your work. I know you have a lot of responsibilities and it may be difficult to find someone who can do your job as competently as you, but if it takes two, even three people to cover you while you’re gone, we’ll do it. We’re a big organization, we’ll take care of it.” He sighed, “Still, if you don’t want it, I’m sure there are plenty of others whom I could ask who would like the job.”
    “Can I think on it?”
    “Of course. Of course.” Mannheim chuckled again, “Heavens, I don’t expect you to give me an answer on the spot. It’s a big decision and I appreciate that, but we want the mission off as soon as possible. The location, as I’m sure you’ll appreciate, is rather distant and traveling time will be about a month for the round trip. We want the mission underway in about two weeks. I think ‘sleep on it’ is the term I’d use.” Mannheim smiled, a huge predatory grin in appreciation of his own witticism. “Think on it over the weekend and let me know what you decide. Now, unless you have any other questions you wish me to address, I think that is all I have to say.”
    Mannheim spread his arms wide and gestured towards the door. Their meeting was quite clearly concluded. Wyatt rose and was escorted to the exit by the other man. As he stepped out through the doorway, Mannheim spoke again, “I do hope you give this careful consideration, Wyatt. It’s a big opportunity for you.”
    Wyatt nodded, “Yeah, thanks.” The last thing he saw as the door slid shut behind him was Mannheim’s face sporting the Cheshire cat grin again.
     
    *    *    *    *    *
     
    Mannheim stood staring at the blank back of the door for a long time after Wyatt had left. The grin had gone from his face almost immediately after the door had closed, as if the passing of the door had physically wiped it off.
    He had always thought that Wyatt’s habit of not offering his hand to be shaken was most rude, rebellious even, but for once he was glad of it. Both his palms were cold and clammy with sweat. Have I overdone it? he thought. Was I too pushy? Too insistent? Sales never were his forte.
    He replayed the conversation over and over in his mind, looking for errors in his technique, a flaw that would give the game away. He could think of none. It was not knowing what Wyatt was going to do that bothered him. He had laid his cards on the table, played his hand, but Wyatt was holding his close to his chest. Watching, waiting, thinking.
    He has to do it, he has to, Mannheim told himself. He strode back to his desk and punched in a number on his telelink keypad. There were calls and arrangements to be made.
     
    *    *    *    *    *
     
    After Wyatt left Mannheim’s office he wandered off down the flight of steps that spiraled down inside Reptile Mountain until he reached its end and stepped out through the door he found there. How fitting that Mannheim’s office should be at the very heart of Reptile Mountain, he thought. Mannheim’s office was in fact there because the position gave the best view over the rest of the zoo, but it was not the first time that the irony of the arrangement had occurred to him. But was that really fair? Sure, there was no love lost between Wyatt and Mannheim, but then, Wyatt very rarely liked anyone in a senior management position, almost by definition. If it weren’t Mannheim then it would be the next man.
    Mannheim had always been straight with him, whatever their