A Legacy of Stars -- Part III --

Faith studied the building with a critical eye as she stepped out of the car. Due to her years with the Preventers, she automatically registered any possible entrances and exits. However, for this mission, she would use the front door.

She brushed her hair back over her shoulders and pushed the slender frame of her glasses up her nose. With a slight smile, she thanked and paid the cabbie. As she approached the house, she straightened her skirt and jacket.

The guard at the door merely glanced in her direction. He didn’t wait for any introduction as he held the door open for her. With another polite smile, she walked inside.

She was not bothered as she made her way to the elevator. As the heavy doors closed, Faith punched one of the buttons. Within moments, she was on the floor that held the private offices.

“Can I help you?” a woman asked as soon as Faith exited the elevator. The other woman was seated behind a large desk, indicating that she was more than likely a secretary. She appeared to be strictly business.

“I’m Alice Wilkerson,” Faith said, extending her hand. “I have an appointment with Deputy Secretary Winner this morning.”

The secretary consulted a schedule before turning back to Faith. “I don’t have you on today’s schedule of appointments,” she said, “or any schedule for that matter. Who are you representing?”

“I’m not going to sit here and explain myself to a mere secretary,” Faith said with as much venom as she could summon.

“If you want to see Mr. Winner, then I’m afraid that you are going to have to deal with this mere secretary,” the woman retorted, rising to her feet. “You are not on today’s schedule of appointments and therefore not authorized to see him.”

The secretary sighed, desperately trying to rein in her frustration. “Perhaps I could arrange a meeting for another time? This is no way you can possibly see Mr. Winner today.”

Faith suddenly disliked the next part of her plan. She liked the fiery secretary and secretly hoped the other woman could one day forgive her. Faith quickly jabbed the woman with the needle, administering the quick-acting sedative before she knew what had happened.

“What?” the secretary asked. However, the drug was already working. She swayed slightly before collapsing bonelessly into her chair.

Faith knocked on the office door as she pulled her gun out from under the suit jacket. She heard the call to “come in” and kicked the door open. She entered, gun poised to fire.

The man in the guest chair shouted when he noticed the intruder. Pleading for his life, he dove out of the way. However, the man who actually faced the barrel of the gun merely glared.

“Okay, Maxwell, you’ve made your point,” Jarrod growled. He rose to his feet and glanced at the room’s other occupant. “Roger, you can get up now. I want you to meet my new head of security.”

* * * * *

Stephanie Anderson reluctantly accepted a cup of coffee from the woman who had just attacked her a few minutes earlier. She still felt groggy from the drug. However, she was embarrassed that she been so easily subdued.

“You nearly gave Roger a heart attack, bursting in here with a drawn gun,” Jarrod said, still seething. “Couldn’t you have come up with a better idea?”

Faith remained unaffected by his anger. The glasses and suit jacket were gone as was the business persona of Alice Wilkerson. She merely crossed her arms and glared back at Jarrod.

“I need to test your current security measures,” she stated with a hint of irritation, “which are pathetic, by the way. I suggest firing the guards at the main entrance and on the first floor. I made it to the elevator without any problems.”

She turned and smiled at Stephanie. “However, I think that your secretary deserves a hefty raise. She was the only one who challenged me. She did the best she could to prevent any unauthorized access to you. I hope there will be no lasting hard feelings, Ms. Anderson.”

“Depends on how long the side effects last,” Stephanie replied, taking a sip of the strong coffee. “I wouldn’t complain about a raise, though.”

Jarrod snorted. “Stephanie, you have the rest of the day off as soon as you cancel the rest of my meetings for today. We will discuss the possibility of a raise later. Now, if you’ll excuse us, I have some things to discuss with my new head of security.”

Grateful for the excuse to leave, Stephanie quickly exited the room. If this woman was going to be the new head of security, things were going to more interesting around the office. She had no doubt about that.

* * * * *

“Regretting offering me this job so soon?” Faith asked, once the secretary had shut the door.

Jarrod shot her another glare as he resumed his seat. “I knew that some of the security measures were being overlooked,” he admitted reluctantly, “but I had no idea as to their true extent. I will try to give you the space and freedom you’ll need to do your job. However, I do have some requests.”

“If the requests are reasonable, I’ll try to comply.”

“I want the security force to have a minimumally obtrusive presence as possible. Also, I don’t want another performance like today ever again. Ever. Find another way to test for security lapses, Maxwell.”

Faith nodded. “Reasonable enough. I have a few requests of my own.”

“Out with them.”

“I need complete control over security personnel. Also, any movements on your part must be cleared with me. I also want the right to accompany you to any function if I feel the security risks can not be properly neutralized.”

Jarrod pondered over the list for a moment. He tried fight off a sense of foreboding. “Why do I feel like I’m making a pact with the devil?”

Faith laughed, throwing him completely off guard. “Surely I’m not that bad?” However, she quickly regained her composure. “Never mind. Will you agree to my conditions?”

“Yes,” Jarrod said. As she turned to leave, he called her. “Was it really necessary to drug my secretary?”

With an enigmatic smile, Faith merely left the room.


Part III Faith studied the building with a critical eye as she stepped out of the car. Due to her years with the Preventers, she automatically registered any possible entrances and exits. However, for this mission, she would use the front door. She brushed her hair back over her shoulders and pushed the slender frame of her glasses up her nose. With a slight smile, she thanked and paid the cabbie. As she approached the house, she straightened her skirt and jacket. The guard at the door merely glanced in her direction. He didn’t wait for any introduction as he held the door open for her. With another polite smile, she walked inside. She was not bothered as she made her way to the elevator. As the heavy doors closed, Faith punched one of the buttons. Within moments, she was on the floor that held the private offices. “Can I help you?” a woman asked as soon as Faith exited the elevator. The other woman was seated behind a large desk, indicating that she was more than likely a secretary. She appeared to be strictly business. “I’m Alice Wilkerson,” Faith said, extending her hand. “I have an appointment with Deputy Secretary Winner this morning.” The secretary consulted a schedule before turning back to Faith. “I don’t have you on today’s schedule of appointments,” she said, “or any schedule for that matter. Who are you representing?” “I’m not going to sit here and explain myself to a mere secretary,” Faith said with as much venom as she could summon. “If you want to see Mr. Winner, then I’m afraid that you are going to have to deal with this mere secretary,” the woman retorted, rising to her feet. “You are not on today’s schedule of appointments and therefore not authorized to see him.” The secretary sighed, desperately trying to rein in her frustration. “Perhaps I could arrange a meeting for another time? This is no way you can possibly see Mr. Winner today.” Faith suddenly disliked the next part of her plan. She liked the fiery secretary and secretly hoped the other woman could one day forgive her. Faith quickly jabbed the woman with the needle, administering the quick-acting sedative before she knew what had happened. “What?” the secretary asked. However, the drug was already working. She swayed slightly before collapsing bonelessly into her chair. Faith knocked on the office door as she pulled her gun out from under the suit jacket. She heard the call to “come in” and kicked the door open. She entered, gun poised to fire. The man in the guest chair shouted when he noticed the intruder. Pleading for his life, he dove out of the way. However, the man who actually faced the barrel of the gun merely glared. “Okay, Maxwell, you’ve made your point,” Jarrod growled. He rose to his feet and glanced at the room’s other occupant. “Roger, you can get up now. I want you to meet my new head of security.” * * * * * Stephanie Anderson reluctantly accepted a cup of coffee from the woman who had just attacked her a few minutes earlier. She still felt groggy from the drug. However, she was embarrassed that she been so easily subdued. “You nearly gave Roger a heart attack, bursting in here with a drawn gun,” Jarrod said, still seething. “Couldn’t you have come up with a better idea?” Faith remained unaffected by his anger. The glasses and suit jacket were gone as was the business persona of Alice Wilkerson. She merely crossed her arms and glared back at Jarrod. “I need to test your current security measures,” she stated with a hint of irritation, “which are pathetic, by the way. I suggest firing the guards at the main entrance and on the first floor. I made it to the elevator without any problems.” She turned and smiled at Stephanie. “However, I think that your secretary deserves a hefty raise. She was the only one who challenged me. She did the best she could to prevent any unauthorized access to you. I hope there will be no lasting hard feelings, Ms. Anderson.” “Depends on how long the side effects last,” Stephanie replied, taking a sip of the strong coffee. “I wouldn’t complain about a raise, though.” Jarrod snorted. “Stephanie, you have the rest of the day off as soon as you cancel the rest of my meetings for today. We will discuss the possibility of a raise later. Now, if you’ll excuse us, I have some things to discuss with my new head of security.” Grateful for the excuse to leave, Stephanie quickly exited the room. If this woman was going to be the new head of security, things were going to more interesting around the office. She had no doubt about that. * * * * * “Regretting offering me this job so soon?” Faith asked, once the secretary had shut the door. Jarrod shot her another glare as he resumed his seat. “I knew that some of the security measures were being overlooked,” he admitted reluctantly, “but I had no idea as to their true extent. I will try to give you the space and freedom you’ll need to do your job. However, I do have some requests.” “If the requests are reasonable, I’ll try to comply.” “I want the security force to have a minimumally obtrusive presence as possible. Also, I don’t want another performance like today ever again. Ever. Find another way to test for security lapses, Maxwell.” Faith nodded. “Reasonable enough. I have a few requests of my own.” “Out with them.” “I need complete control over security personnel. Also, any movements on your part must be cleared with me. I also want the right to accompany you to any function if I feel the security risks can not be properly neutralized.” Jarrod pondered over the list for a moment. He tried fight off a sense of foreboding. “Why do I feel like I’m making a pact with the devil?” Faith laughed, throwing him completely off guard. “Surely I’m not that bad?” However, she quickly regained her composure. “Never mind. Will you agree to my conditions?” “Yes,” Jarrod said. As she turned to leave, he called her. “Was it really necessary to drug my secretary?” With an enigmatic smile, Faith merely left the room.


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