Free Kiss Lonely Goodbye by Lynn Emery Page B

turned down.
    â€œHe could be difficult.” Marcus studied the younger version of Hosea. Russell had his father’s nose, eyes, and stubbornness. Unfortunately he didn’t have his father’s brains or business acumen.
    â€œI always thought his becoming a father rather late in life had something to do with it. After all, he was almost fifty when I was born.”
    â€œMaybe so.” Marcus waited for him to go on.
    Russell’s brows drew together. “Father was a hard man toplease. He was even harder on his own children, especially me as his only son. But that’s beside the point. One of us should have been named CEO.”
    â€œRussell, you think that you should have been left the business,” Marcus replied.
    â€œI’ve never made that a secret,” Russell said with a sniff. “But at least if you had been left the business I wouldn’t worry about some incompetent destroying what we built.”
    Marcus fought the urge to laugh. Russell hadn’t built anything more than a pile of debt on the company balance sheets. Instead he cleared his throat. “Well, I—”
    â€œWe need to take action before Nicole damages Summers Security beyond repair.” Russell leaned forward with a grave expression.
    â€œThe will is quite clear, as even your attorney has pointed out by now,” Marcus replied. “Nicole is to run the business.”
    â€œYou know how father loved putting the devil in details. There are certain conditions.” Russell wore a sly half-smile.
    â€œReally?” Marcus didn’t have to pretend interest. He propped both elbows on his desk.
    â€œIf she’s proven incompetent, an executive committee must remove her and appoint a new CEO.” Russell sat back with a satisfied expression. “I say we put new contracts on hold for six months. The company won’t show a profit and she’ll be held responsible. Most of the family is nervous about her anyway.”
    Marcus was sure Russell wasn’t telling him the whole truth. Not that it mattered. “Nicole signed one yesterday, and the other two are on her desk.”
    â€œYou should have checked with me first!” Russell complained. “We’ve got to stick together.”
    â€œI wouldn’t have agreed to put off three important accounts. I worked hard to get them, and my reputation is onthe line.” Marcus relaxed back in his chair. He wasn’t surprised that Russell’s scheme had holes in it.
    Russell stood and looked down at him with distaste. “I would have made you chief operating officer, Marcus. Taking her side is a big mistake.”
    â€œI’m here to do a job for Summers Security, not to get in the middle of your dispute over Mr. Summers’s estate.” Marcus opened a folder on his desk. “I realize you’re angry, but I can’t help you.”
    â€œFine. Just don’t be surprised when I end up with the company.” Russell walked out.
    Once he was gone, Marcus sat back in deep thought. Now he had a hint about how Russell and Jolene planned to attack Nicole. Marcus wondered how he could get a look at the will. A knock on his office door interrupted his thoughts.
    â€œCome in,” he said and wondered if he’d get anything more done today.
    Shelly rushed in. “Mr. Phoung is shouting on line five. I can’t make sense of anything he says.”
    Nicole came in behind her. “Sorry to interrupt, but—”
    â€œJust a minute. I’d better take this call. An unhappy client is on the phone.” Marcus held up one palm and picked up the receiver with his other hand.
    â€œUnhappy ain’t the half of it,” Shelly whispered to Nicole. She retreated, pulling the door shut as she left.
    Nicole sat down. “Who is it?”
    â€œDavid Phoung runs three midsized grocery stores in some rough neighborhoods. We installed cameras for him. One of our guards reviews the tapes twice