Monday morning after a quiet weekend felt a little strange to me. There was almost a surreal feeling of detachment or sophistry that abounded as I stepped outside into the morning gloom. I was due in Hartford at 10:00 for a site inspection and Brady offered me a lift to the site. I thanked him but I had to pick some stuff up at the office first.

“How’s the schedule going, Brady?” I asked him as an aside.

“Yeah, it’s good, Tony. We’re all ready for you this morning,” he said.

“Remember, Brady, I’m not the lead person on this file, Samantha is. I can’t do anything except stand and listen, unless I’m asked,” I said. “If I am asked, I have to be professional.”

“What are you saying, Tony?” he asked.

“I’m saying, it’s just work. It’s not personal.”

“Of course, I don’t expect anything less. I’ll see you up there,” he said.

When I reached the office Sam and Maria were chatting and, no doubt, comparing notes at Sam’s desk while Jules was hanging her coat up. I caught Jules’ eye, and she followed me into my work room.

• Book 4 of 7
• Print length: 37 pages
• Language: English
• Publication date@ 15th July 2025