Free The Geneva Decision by Seeley James Page B

“Must be the jet lag.”
    She stepped back, touched one glove to the vibrating bag to stop it. Sweat dripped down her brow and face, her shoulders and back and legs. She tugged the Velcro and pulled her gloves off, stuck them under her arm.
    Panting like a racehorse, she faced Jonelle. “Water?”
    “No thanks,” Jonelle said. “What did you want?”
    “Did you like the spa day?”
    “It was a very nice gift. Thank you. I appreciate the new suit, too. Your tailors are amazing.” Jonelle turned around, showing off her new business suit. Her face remained fixed, no smile. “You didn’t need to do that. Firing at the killer was just me doing my job. But Pia, it’s five in the morning. Why did you call me in here?”
    Her trainer tossed a water bottle at Pia. Without looking, she snapped it out of the air. Pia unscrewed the cap and poured half the water down her throat, then locked eyes with Jonelle.
    “We didn’t get along all that well in Geneva,” she said.
    “We got things done. You came home in one piece. Don’t worry about it.”
    “Dad told me you asked to be reassigned.”
    Jonelle winced. “Don’t take it personal. I’m just not interested—”
    “I have a plan to stop the resignations.”
    “Glad to hear it. You’re not mad?”
    “I need your help to make it work. I’d appreciate it if you’d hear me out, listen to the offer.” A bell with a different tone rang. Pia held up her index finger between them. “Right after this next round.”
    Jonelle glared at her. “If you want to have a serious conversation with me, postpone the workout and let’s talk. Otherwise, reschedule the meeting.”
    Pia thought for a minute.
    “OK,” she said. “I want you to be my mentor. You’ll effectively run the company but transition the role to me as I learn.”
    “I asked to be reassigned.”
    “Dad had you playing babysitter. This is different. I want you to help me.”
    Jonelle tightened her crossed arms.
    “It takes a lot of training.” Pia waved her arm around the gym. “I know how to listen to coaches. For the first year I trained here, Coach Billy wouldn’t let me punch anything until I could duck everything they threw at me. I have the discipline it takes to be the best. I want you to teach me, coach me, make sure I’m on a gold medal path. I intend to be a champion in the world of security, Jonelle. I decided that when I swam the Rhone. Oh. And there’s a large incentive plan.”
    Jonelle’s eyebrows rose.
    “A million for each anniversary. One million on the first anniversary, two on the second, and so on for five years.”
    Jonelle gasped. “Fifteen million?”
    Pia nodded.
    “How long do I have to think this over?”
    “Until Colonel Grant comes in for his interview.”
    The bell rang. Pia tried not to look at the bag.
    “How much control do I get?” Jonelle said.
    Pia shrugged.
    Jonelle walked ten steps away. She came back and started to ask a question. She stopped, turned, and marched toward the door. Thirty feet away, she stopped and headed back to Pia.
    “I hate it when rich people use money to get what they want,” Jonelle said.
    “I want the best. Is that so bad?”
    “I take it Alan told you how much I make,” Jonelle said, “and you set the bonus high enough that I couldn’t say no. We both know it’s five times as much money as your father offered. And I’m sure Alan will have me back if I’m not happy. So we both know I’ll take the job.”
    Pia tried to hold back a big smile. She said, “Thank you. I have a company-wide video conference scheduled to introduce your new role. I’d like to change your title. You left the military at the rank of major. I’d like to call you the Major, to differentiate you from all the other agents. I hope that works for you. We’ll finish the conversation at my office.”
    Pia drank another bottle of water as Jonelle walked away.
    Major Jonelle Jackson stopped near the door. She asked, “When was Colonel Grant coming