Peter and I look at one another for maybe five seconds. When he adjusts his position, I say, "You made inquiries about me."
He stands with little effort. Probably plays tennis daily and golf three or four times a week, all with skilled partners. "Perhaps we"ll be more comfortable over here," he says, indicating the couch and chairs as he approaches me to get around the huge desk.
Shove off from the window frame so we walk shoulder to shoulder. He pauses courteously, so I step to a chair and sit. Peter sits facing me across the glass table.
After we study one another for a couple seconds, Peter says, "I seek a person who fits in and does the job, yet operates in shadow. Your name came up, so I made further inquiries."
"A person who fits in." Oh Peter, those are seductive words to one who has never fit in any place. "Operates in shadow," I say.
"I represent Ferro Corporation, which owns Doc's Place, Ms. Price. Are you familiar with Ferro?"
"Call me Jill," I tell him. "I am familiar with Harold Ferro and his corporation." The eccentric, reclusive billionaire died less than ten years ago but his company and his legend still live. I hear he employed Mormon lawyers.
Peter says, "Ferro intends to cut the employee population by half, remodel the old section and then sell Doc's Place." He looks at me as if waiting for questions and then continues, "We want to keep our intention secret until we announce the sale, hopefully a year from this coming spring."
"Two jobs in one," I say.
"Indeed, Jill," he says, maybe getting the feel of my given name while face to face with its owner. "Divert attention from the sale of Doc"s Place while managing communications there."
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