Page 92 of Blind Prophet

“I mean, I know it’s getting late. He may have calmed down by now?—”

“I’ll go.”

“I have to warn you, sir. He doesn’t sound…”

The hesitation in Jay’s voice tips me off that my father is railing about me. The demons in his head are screaming that I’ve earned his disapproval. He spent time with Caroline today.

“Say it.”

“He’s been shouting about your wife. That she’s going to rob you blind. That you’re too weak and we need lawyers, stat. He successfully reached a lawyer, by the way. One by the name of Duncan Wallace. He’s not one of ours. I’m not sure where he got the number. Possibly Google directory. I called his office and canceled the emergency meeting he requested. Prashi has his phone now. I think that’s part of the reason he’s so angry.”

Once again, my feet have stopped. I pinch the bridge of my nose. I can’t deal with my father when he’s out of his mind. Seeing Caroline set him off. He must believe no time has passed. He’d been livid with me back then because I refused to use his legal team to handle my divorce.

“Tell Prashi that she has my approval to administer a sedative.”

“I’ll text her. She’ll want it in writing. I’ll include you in the exchange.”

“That’s fine.”

“I have a couple of other urgent items while I have you on the line.”

Jay isn’t one to label an item urgent unless it is.

“You’ve got me for five minutes.” I shoot a wistful glance in the direction of my bedroom but turn on my heel to my office.

“The president doesn’t want to wait until Tuesday for an in-person meeting. He’s requested a time on Monday. I told him you would make yourself available.”

What could he possibly want?

“Schedule it.” The curt response is automatic.

“Droga sent through an email he wanted you to read.”

“What’s it about?”

“He has a notation that only you can read it. His assistant called before she sent it and explained that he doesn’t want anyone but you to read the contents.”

It’s probably some news he’s debating running. Drago owns a publishing network that covers most English-speaking countries in the Americas and Europe.

“I’ll check it out. On my way to my computer now.”

“You have calls scheduled with Australia and Japan on Sunday evening. I’ve left you a reminder. Do you want me to initiate the calls?”

“No, if the information is in my calendar, I’ll call. Who’s it with?”

“Ah, let’s see. Both are for Zenith.”

“Can you ask Suzette to cover?” She’s my COO. She should be able to handle anything.

“She’s the one who scheduled the calls, sir. These are one-off conversations.”

He goes on to repeat the names of pompous, egotistical men who want to ensure I bribe them appropriately before they rubber stamp our government contracts.

I’ll make the time for the meetings. These aren’t just satellite contracts; they’re strategic plays in the larger game of global telecommunications dominance. When you control the orbital infrastructure, every conversation with foreign officials has layers of implications.

“Fine.”

“I think that’s it, sir. Droga asked that you get back to him as quickly as possible.”

---