Free The Taste of Magic by Gina Rosavin Page A

"Let me worry about your wife. The time is fast approaching. Learn what you can and report back to me. I'll let you know when I plan to begin."
     
    Dimitri nodded. "Yes, Master."
     
     
     
    * * *
     
     
     
    Katerina looked up at the knock. Her assistant, Beata, waited in the doorway for permission to enter.
     
    "What is it?" Katerina asked, saving her file before she gave Beata her full attention.
     
    "I'm not sure. Jacobson just went into Hargrid's office, and he didn't look happy. I'm hearing all kinds of rumors."
     
    Katerina scowled. She'd also heard the rumors someone was interested in buying out KNT. She didn't believe it, but if her supervisors were suddenly holding secret meetings, something was definitely going on.
     
    "Close the door," Katerina said. "What did you hear?"
     
    Beata took a seat. "He was muttering something about 'deal better come through, retirement, and get ugly.'"
     
    Katerina closed her eyes briefly. She'd seen this while she worked for a securities firm in New York. Whenever a company like KNT was about to be bought out or reorganized, top management always made sure to get themselves a large cut of whatever deal was being made, not caring whether the employees left behind would even be able to keep their jobs. Damn, this was not good.
     
    "All right, let's not panic. There could be something else going on. Besides, any takeover, if that's even what it is, would have to be approved by the Communications Ministry. KNT is not in financial trouble, which lessens the probability. Whoever would do this can't close the deal without that approval, even if management and shareholders agree."
     
    Beata shook her head, her eyes hollow. "I heard the approval's already come through."
     
    "From who?"
     
    Beata looked away. "I can't say."
     
    "Tell me." She didn't have time to play guessing games now, she had to find out if this was true. Her job could very well depend on it. Before Beata could respond, there was another knock. The door opened and Edmund Jacobson, Katerina's supervisor, stepped inside.
     
    "Katerina, could I have a word?"
     
    "Of course, come in, Edmund. Beata, get my presentation over to Lufthansa. I told them I wanted an answer by the end of the week."
     
    When Beata had left, Katerina turned her attention to her boss. "Lufthansa is looking for a good deal on some prime advertising space. I think I've put together something we'll all like. Would you like to see it?"
     
    Edmund shook his head. He studied her, and she felt oddly uncomfortable with the concern she read in his hazel eyes. She enjoyed working with him, he'd been a good boss who gave her the freedom to make the deals the way she needed to. But she sensed she wasn't going to like what he was about to say.
     
    "Katerina, there's been a reorganization. You're being transferred to Market Research."
     
    She stared at him in surprise. "What? Since when?"
     
    "Since this morning." He tossed a paper onto her desk. She picked it up and perused the organization chart. There was her name, listed under Market Research Group.
     
    "Edmund, how is this possible? Why wasn't I consulted about this?"
     
    "It all happened rather fast. Hargrid's retiring. His replacement is bringing in some new people for this division. Some of us will stay, but others, including you, are being transferred. I'm sorry."
     
    The sincerity in his voice made her almost regret the rising anger. She noticed for the first time how old he looked. His dark hair was liberally streaked with gray and deep lines etched from the corners of his eyes. Despite the bitter taste in her mouth about being forced to give up the job she loved, she forced her irritation aside.
     
    "Who's the new person?" she asked.
     
    "Haven't met him yet. He'll be here sometime next week. It won't be as bad as you think, Beata will go with you, and a few others. Look, I know this isn't exactly what you expected when we hired you, but be patient. Use your skills, your creativity