CHAPTER 36


 

KARI ARRIVED AT her office thirty minutes earlier than normal. Knowing her penchant for punctuality, one of the security guards had razzed her about getting a life.

If only I could! she thought.

Her call to Stalling had been difficult especially after having reassured Finton that she was loyal to him. The drive into the mountains had given her time to consider all options, but it had taken her half the night to get the courage to act. Her call to the CEO had left her drained.

It was unfortunate that she feared Stalling more than her boss. Future Dynamicon had unlimited assets and resources, making it impossible for her to believe Finton could protect her for very long.

Throwing her jacket on the chair, she sat down, resting her head in her hands, her elbows propped on the desk. For two days she had gone to work, performed her normal duties and then gone home. There was no question in her mind that today, her whole world was about to change.

"What have I done?" she murmured, surprised at the intensity of the guilt she was feeling.

She jerked at the sound of the door opening.

"Ms. Colton... Kari..." Finton said, surprised to see his secretary in so early. "Are you alright?"

"Yes... no..." she stammered, surprised. "I wasn't sure you'd be in today."

"Why not? I still have things to do," Finton explained. "I needed a little time to coordinate my plans. Speaking of which, would you cancel all my appointments for the rest of the week?'

Kari closed her eyes and silently cursed. She had thought he would leave quickly. It had helped in her decision to call Stalling. Secretly she had hoped today was the day he'd be gone.

"Have you decided what you're going to do?" Finton asked, interrupting her thoughts.

"Yes," she replied, her voice almost a whisper. "I... I..." Tears streamed down her cheeks. "You have to get out of here."

Finton frowned and then his eyes widened as he guessed what she had done.

"I could have protected you," he growled, torn between feelings of anger and betrayal. "You should have trus..."

When the door to Finton's office swung open, Kari and Finton turned simultaneously.

"Trusted you! I think that's what you were going to say, Mr. Finton," Lawton said, strolling into the room followed by three men holding handguns.

"Lawton, what are you doing here?"

"It's Mr. Lawton now. I've been promoted."

"I see," Finton knew exactly what the man meant. "So Stalling has decided I'm a liability, now."

"His words exactly. That's the way it goes sometimes," he gloated, motioning his men forward. "I'm sure you'll come quietly. No use making a scene and ruining that cool, calm image you've maintained all these years."

Finton knew he was trapped. As CSO, he had stopped wearing a gun several years ago. Glancing at Kari, he saw that she was about to speak and shook his head.

"It's alright, Kari. We all have to look after our own interests first. You did the right thing for yourself."

Lawton's laughter grated.

"Yes, Kari, you did the right thing. Stalling appreciates loyalty. He's given me special instructions to make sure you're aptly rewarded."

Kari looked confused not sure how to take Lawton's comment. Finton had no doubt what the man meant.

"Lawton, let her go. She isn't a threat."

"Oh my God!" Kari exclaimed, suddenly realizing Lawton's intentions. Feeling faint, she inhaled rapidly, rubbing her hands on her thighs nervously. "I don't understand. I didn't do anything."

"Tsk! Tsk! Kari. Stalling thinks you have a conscience, although why is beyond me. Ratting on Finton the way you did? Well, even if he didn't want you gone, I couldn't take the chance you'd do the same to me down the line."

"Lawton, let her go! I'll pay you. I have a lot of money," Finton pleaded. It wasn't going to do him any good, he thought.

"Oh, well, that's mighty chivalrous of you, Finton, but it still can't compete with what I'll make as the new CSO. I've been trying out your chair and I like the feel of it. You have excellent taste in furniture."

"You bastard!" Finton hissed.

"That's really no way to talk to someone who can make this very easy on you or very hard. I suggest you think twice before you call me that again," Lawton threatened, "and if not for yourself, for Kari's sake."

Kari sobbed quietly in the background.

"Let's get this over with," Finton growled.

Lawton shrugged. The sooner he took care of these two, the sooner he could assume his new position.

"Take them to Dr. Phillips' lab. He's expecting them," he ordered his men and then turned back to Finton. "Oh, and for old time's sake, I'll tell him to make sure he makes it quick and painless. I'm not a brute, you know."

Finton would have liked to have made a sarcastic comment but realized Lawton was quite capable of changing his mind. In all fairness, though, he had been the man's supervisor for several years and had to agree. This was just another job to him, albeit one that would move him into a prestigious position.

Helping Kari to her feet, Finton wrapped his arm around her and guided her from the room, surrounded by the three guards. Stoically, with the exception of the crying woman, they moved down the hall and disappeared around a corner.

Lawton returned to his new office and dialed Stalling's extension.

"It's done," he said when his new boss answered.

"That quickly? I'm impressed."

"I thought you wanted this resolved quickly. Dr. Phillips is going to..."

"I'm not interested in the details. Just make sure they disappear."

"Yes, sir. Is there anything else you need me to do?"

"Yes, we still haven't found the missing Hubots. I'm tired of the excuses. Find them!"

"I'm on it."

"Good!" The click of the phone told Lawton he had been dismissed.

Asshole!

Shrugging dismissively, he decided to check Finton's emails. They might give him a lead on the Hubots.