Sometimes It Is Rocket Science by Kara Thorpe Read Free Book Online Page B

out a balloon or two for him and say they’re from you.”
    “Thanks.”
    He surprised her by following her down the stairs and into the kitchen.  He leaned against the island while she sipped hot, fragrant coffee.  “What’s on schedule for you today, Théophile?”
    He unenthusiastically described his Spanish test and physics project.  Though not a terrible student, Tab preferred to focus his considerable brainpower on designing computer games and refining their father’s programs.  Before the accident, he’d made remarks about attending Stanford, but she wasn’t sure if his plans had changed.  The future was one of the dozens of topics they avoided.
    She scooped fruit salad into two bowls and slid one across the counter to Tab.  ERIC’s reminder that she needed more protein in her diet went ignored.  Tab continued to complain about his physics project until she offered to look over his notes.  His relieved smile made her grin.  Like their father, he had no love for rules or hard science.
    By the time she reached Collier Analytics’ sleek glass and steel downtown building, she felt better than she had in months.  Out of habit, she parked her car into the space next to the vacant one still bearing her father’s name.  She trailed her fingers across the cool aluminum sign and repeated her daily prayer, “Here’s hoping I make you proud, Daddy.”
    Yvonne was waiting in the glass-walled office that had once been Georgiana’s.  The short, voluptuous Hispanic woman studied Georgiana intently before nodding in approval.  “Good morning, again.  Your eye looks fine.  No one will ever know you had an early morning brawl with your mascara.”
    “Thanks, Yvonne.”  Georgiana crossed the threshold between her old office and her new office.  After her father’s death, she’d followed the board’s advice and moved into his office.  She swore sometimes she could still smell scotch or the smoke from his cigars. 
    “If I had known you were going to wear those shoes, I’d have worn my platforms.”  Yvonne extended her leg and shook her black, sensible pump.  “You’re going to owe me an hour with Henri to make up for today.”
    “Tell me who leaked the quote and you have a deal.” 
    Yvonne lowered herself onto the visitor’s chair in front of the antique mahogany desk and tugged the hem of her knee-length black skirt into place.  She glanced at the notes on her ever-present tablet.  “According to Wepfer’s sources, the quote was part of a longer email sent to the editor of the financial section by Mr. Hayes.”
    Under the desk, Georgiana clenched her fists so hard her fingernails left crescent impressions in her palms.  Carl Hayes was a professional director.  He wasn’t on Prask’s board, but the friendship between the two men was one of the worst kept business secrets in their industry.  Her father had privately questioned Hayes’ loyalty on several occasions.  Georgiana questioned it daily.
    “I’ll take care of Hayes, but I need you to set up a conference call with the other directors for the afternoon.  I don’t care if they have to skip a golf game or their kid’s ballet debut.  If they don’t like it, they can get the hell off my board.”
    Yvonne smothered a grin.  “ Rawr .  I think ERIC added a bit of Red Bull to your coffee this morning, Georgiana.”
    Georgiana winked and resumed scrolling though her phone’s contact list.  Yvonne’s signature on watertight nondisclosure and confidentiality agreements had granted the assistant limited access to ERIC.  She was the only person, aside from Dan, Georgiana trusted with information regarding the AI or Tab’s accident.
    “Is that all?  Would you like another cup of coffee?”
    “Nope.”  Georgiana selected the entry for Carl Hayes.  He lived outside of Los Angeles and was two hours behind.  She didn’t feel the least bit of remorse over calling him so early.  “No telling what I’d do to Hayes if I