Page 10 of Due Dilligence (Takeover)
Chapter Four
The next morning was a whirlwind of meetings for Fazil, mostly with members of the engineering staff. Thank goodness he could ditch the suit from the first day. It was jeans for the rest of the time. Much better to meet engineering on their terms, dressed to blend in, not stand out. They went over the timeline and what Fazil needed. Todd had collected quite a lot, but there were still significant gaps in the information. For the most part, the staff was helpful, though as they closed in on lunch, and everyone got theirhangryon, things got contentious.
“There’s a release coming up,” one of the engineers said. “We don’t have time to sit around and write up procedures all day.” He threw a poisoned glance at Todd.
Todd shrugged. “I managed, Nathan. So did other people.” His tone was mild, but his muscles flexed underneath the t-shirt that clung to his frame. Another geeky offering, this one of a caffeine molecule.
Had he worn it for Fazil? Because, damn, did it wake him up.Oh get over yourself.He tossedthatidea from his mind. Or tried. His brain lingered over those shoulders and the cut of Todd’s arms. He’d always looked good. Now he looked spectacular.
“There’s no need to assign blame,” Fazil said. “I’m not here to do that. I can work with you to get what I need, fill in those missing procedures, or develop better ones.”
“Do you ever miss real engineering?” Nathan said.
Todd tensed, but Fazil laughed. “Sam encourages us to have side projects to keep our skills sharp. I’ve filed two patents while working for him.” The best way to cut off snottiness was honesty. “Look, every procedure can be improved. We learn new ways—better ways—at every company. I’m sure there are things Singularity does better than anyone else. After all, your tech is superlative.”
Praise always helped as well. Todd looked worried, but Nathan nodded. “That’s why you’re here, right?”
“Pretty much.” Fazil straightened out the stack of paper in front of him. Something in the way Nathan eyed him that told him there were more questions behind those closed lips, but Nathan didn’t ask anything else. The ruffled feathers must have been smoothed down enough.
They made it through the rest of the meeting and Fazil managed to tease out the information he needed. For the most part. When the clock clicked to eleven forty-five, he leaned back in his chair. “That’s it for now. I’ll leave you alone this afternoon so I can go over this... and likely send you mail you’ll hate tomorrow.”
Nathan grunted. Both he and Todd closed their laptops.
“Ready for lunch?” Todd asked.
Nathan raised an eyebrow. “Oh, you’re fraternizing with the enemy now?”
Enemy? Ouch.He’d need to share that with Eli and Sam. If they saw them as interlopers, this job wouldn’t go well.
Todd smiled, but it was tight. “I’m catching up with someone I haven’t seen in a very long time. You got a problem with that? Because we can take it to Stephen.”
Nathan shook his head. “Whatever, dude.” His gaze fell on Fazil. “Todd never said where you’re from.”
Oh,this. Fazil’s heart sunk. He rubbed his brow. “Born and bred in the wilds of suburban Philadelphia.” When Nathan opened his mouth again, he held up his hand. “I know what you’re asking. My parents are from Turkey.” Next was usually about his religion, but he crossed his arms. “If you want any morepersonalinformation from me, buy me a beer after work.”
Nathan flushed and picked up his laptop. “So you’re likehim. Good to know.” He stalked out of the conference room.
What was that supposed to mean? Fazil peered through the doorway. “He’s... touchy.”
Todd ran a hand through his hair. “It’s not you, it’s me. He’s never been happy that I got this job.” He rolled his chair away from the table and rose.
Fazil ran a hand over his laptop and stood. “It’s normal, the pushback. Everyone’s still figuring out why I’m here and how I’m going to change their world.” He paused. “I figured someone would ask about my name eventually. It being spectacularlyAmericanand all.”
Todd cringed. “Nathan is... well... I’ll tell you in a bit.”
They walked to Todd’s office to drop off their computers before heading out. The day was overcast, clouds hanging high in the sky, but humid and warm. Almost felt like a typical June day in Pittsburgh. “Umbrella?”
“Eh, no one carries those but tourists.” Todd peered at the sky. “Besides, it won’t rain.”
“You know, say that in Pittsburgh even on a sunny day, and you’re begging for a thunderstorm to roll in.”
“Generally, what we have in the morning is what we’ll have all day.” He waved at the sky. “So, this.”
Fazil’s gaze lighted on the barely discernible peaks in the distance. “And mountains.”
Todd’s brilliant smile lit up his face the way it used to. “Yes, those, too.” He unlocked the car and they climbed in. “Takes some getting used to.”
“They’re beautiful.”
