Free Deadly Magic by Elisabeth Crabtree Page A

try at least one video game. Kids just aren’t playing board games like they used to.”
    “ Nonsense. Mystery games are fun. I figure you would jump at this chance to put your degree to good use.”
    “ It was just one class. In my sophomore year. I didn’t really do that well at it.”
    “ Well, now’s your chance to shine. If you have any issues talk to your brand manager.”
    “ Where is Sara?” she asked, dreading the answer.
    “ She decided to move on,” he said simply, as he stood up and walked to the door. “We’ll only have one brand manager from now on. If you need anything talk to Daniel.”
    Allen was waiting outside. As soon as Straker waked away, he ducked his head back in the room. “Did you tell him what I told you to say?
    “ Yeah.”
    “ And?”
    “ It didn’t work.”
    “ I knew it wouldn’t. Why did you waste your time?”
    ♣ ♦ ♥ ♠
    Numb, Grace walked toward her office. She passed by Valerie who was just emerging from her office. “So, how did it go?”
    “ We’re heading to the future, Val. To the bright future of 1965.”
    “ Why? What do you have to do?”
    “ Board games.”
    “ What about them?”
    “ That’s what I’m designing. Board games.”
    “ What about your interstellar doll design?”
    Allen walked out of her office carrying her dolls out. “Hey look at this one,” he said, holding up Major Venus Bell, a pretty doll with flowing lavender hair and green eyes. “What do you think about adding tentacles? Or gills?”
    When they didn’t answer, he happily walked away, calling to Ellen over his shoulder. “Just make sure to pack it all up, El. I need everything.”
    “ Oh Grace, I’m so sorry. It could be worse. At least you have a job. Franklin fired Mae this morning.”
    “ Why would he fire Daniel’s secretary?”
    Valerie shrugg ed. “She was twenty minutes late today. He never seemed to mind before.”
    Grace look ed at her friend thoughtfully. “Have you noticed that he’s fired or gotten everyone who wasn’t at the magic show to quit? Absolutely all of them.”
     

 
     
    CHAPTER SIX
     
    Grace check ed her watch again. Twenty after nine. She looked around the almost empty restaurant, wondering what time they closed. Other than the waiters, who were sitting over in the corner staring at her, there were only a couple of elderly diners finishing their meal. She debated whether she should order something or just leave. She had already eaten, but when Ethan called her unexpectedly an hour ago and asked to meet her for dinner, she had immediately accepted.
    Spurr ed into action, she tore off her cartoon kitty nightshirt, slithered into the slinkiest dress she owned, donned her eyes with the smokiest eyeliner and eye shadow in her collection, texted Valerie the good news, and called a cab. Despite a few traffic hiccups, she made it to the little Italian restaurant just a block from work, a few minutes before nine. Sitting down at a small table near the window, she quietly went over the menu. Although, Valerie and a few other coworkers had often raved of the lasagna, she had never been to this restaurant—living paycheck to paycheck often meant dining on homemade packed lunches.
    Now , here she sat. Waiting. Drumming her fingers on the tabletop, she resisted the urge to check her watch again. She glanced out the window, just in time to see Louisa Burns stumble from a cab and walk through the restaurant doors. With a breezy and slightly slurred “Hi, Al,” Louisa waved to the bartender and entered the ladies room.
    A noise to her right caused Grace to swivel back around in her seat. Her waiter was back.
    “ Are you ready to order?”
    Grace shook her head. She was about to admit to the shame of having been stood up when she saw Ethan walk past the window. Sighing in relief, she ordered a drink and asked the waiter to give her a few minutes. A few seconds later, an apologetic Ethan slid into the seat across from her.
    He look ed incredibly