Page 18 of Coup De Grâce
“I’m touched,” Knight muttered, earning a smile from me.
“So,” Fox said, jumping to his feet. He started rooting around in my cabinets for food as he talked. “I was thinking about this whole conundrum with Cash. I think we need to find a way to honor the late boss while also not offending our new leader. By the way, now that Cash is officially kaput, I think it might be time to think of finding a replacement for Lock. You know, liven the place up a bit.”
“And who would you suggest?”
He snagged some chips, a bowl, sour cream, relish, and milk, setting it all down on the table. “Well, not that I’m biased, but I think Max would be a great choice.”
“Max,” I repeated as he poured all the contents into the bowl. “Drunken Max, who is rarely sober and functioning.”
Fox nodded, scooping all his stuff around in the bowl before taking a big bite and groaning. “Oh God. Now, that’s what I’m talking about.” He chewed a few times before continuing. “Think about it. He’s fun, but he also goes to church. That shows the ability to put someone else above him.”
“His wife,” I pointed out. “I’m not sure how that would help the company.”
“Right, I guess I could see your point. However, I think you’re missing the bigger picture.”
“Which is?” I asked as he shoved another spoonful in his mouth.
“He’s—gottabland—and the—pwane—know?”
I had no idea what he just said as he chewed on the most disgusting concoction I’d ever seen, but I went with it.
“Right, I see your point.”
He grinned wide at me before taking another bite.
“But it’s not going to happen. I like Lock being in charge. He’s got a good head on his shoulders.”
Fox whined, his shoulders drooping as he pouted. “But he has all those charts! I can’t fill out another fucking spreadsheet.” His eyes bounced around the table to Knight. “How about The Kamau?”
“No,” Knight answered instantly. “I have a job.”
“Right, but you don’t havethisjob,” Fox laughed.
“And I’m not going to.”
“Now, just hang on a minute. Before you say no, you have to really consider the possibilities. Think of all the training you could get in.”
“I already train a team.”
“Right, but you’re out here. It’s a new team.”
“You train the team,” Knight retorted.
“Right…” Fox frowned, still trying to come up with something.
“We’re not taking Lock out of the leadership position. I don’t care how many spreadsheets you have to fill out. He stays.”
I got up to pour myself some coffee, holding up a cup in offering to Knight. At his nod, I poured him a cup while Fox continued to pout about it.
“Tell me this, if I had suggested someone else, would you have gone for it?”
I pretended to think about it. “Who would you have suggested?”
“Zoe,” he said without thought.
“Nope.”
“Rats!”
