At noon on Monday, Ana Brooks spun into the parking lot of Jackson's furniture in her red car. Conor came out a few minutes later and slid into the passage seat, the scent of orange blossom calming his nerves. "So, which dealer do you think we should try?"
"Well, Mr. Brantley, the wyvern models tend to be solid cars for the money where the Druk dealership tends to carry more high-end cars. Abby sent me with a new company card for you so any larger purchases like this can be charged directly to the company account."
"Let's start with Wyvern then and see what they have. I don't need to be spending my first check on a car."
A few minutes later they were pulling into a car lot. At first, every salesman popped their head up but when they saw Conor still in his Jackson's furniture uniform most went back to what they were doing. Conor noticed one girl who looked like an intern trying to muster up the courage to come over. Every time she would start, she spun back to the desk in a nervous fit.
Conor took his time walking through the cars on the lot until he found one that fit what he was looking for. What he finally found was a dark blue midsize four-door SUV. "This looks about right. Had a bit more space than some of the smaller cars and should keep me off the ground. Now if only there were some salespeople..."
"Hello, my name is Alexa!"
Conor spun to find the young redheaded intern behind him. "Ah, sorry. You scared me."
"Sorry about that... Ummm are you interested in this one? I have the keys if you would like to test it..." she was practiced in her presentation but clearly nervous.
"Yes, we would love to."
"We?"
Ana stepped out from the backside of the car. "Mr. Brantley, I believe this model will suit your needs well."
The little redhead flushed. " Ah, right well this car has.." as she launched into a well-rehearsed speech about the model.
"About that test drive.."
After a few circles up and down the street, Conor was decided. It was a solid car. "How much?"
"Oh umm, I actually can't do the negotiating... that is up to my senior manager."
"Then let's go see him."
As they walked into the showroom, a man in a fine suit walked out of a back office. A snarl cut across his face, "Brantley... that wouldn't be Conor Brantley the loser who can't even hold down a job at Grizlhut would it?"
"Hello, Rinehart."
Ana looked between the two men, "Is this going to be an issue?"
"Shouldn't be as long as Billy Rindheart here actually wants to sell me a car. If not, then we may be going elsewhere."
"Brantley, since you lost your store, you can't afford a scooter let alone this car. go ahead and get out of here. There is a reason no one bothered to get up. Alexa, there should never have left her desk if she knew what was good for her."
"Things change Billy, and thankfully they have changed for the better."
"Well, I see your woman has improved at least. That Jess girl was attractive but she was a piece of work."
Ana flushed. "I am not with Mr. Brantley, I work for Mr. Brantley."
" 'work', right, of course. Well, Conor there is no need to waste your time here. We all know you can't afford anything."
Conor frowned. "Do you not want to make a sale today?"
"Conor, don't embarrass yourself or Jess any more than you already have. Word has already got around that Jess's card was declined."
"A mistake that has since been remedied. Billy, I am not in a mood to deal with you. Sell me the car, or I will go across the street and buy one."
"You are not worth my time, Conor."
Conor turned to the young intern, "Alexa, right?"
She hurried over, "Umm, yes?"
"If you want to make it in this town, follow Ana." He turned and stormed out of the store and headed across the street.
Alexa stared after him, then turned to Ana, "Are we supposed to follow? What am I expected to do?"
"I am not sure what he has in mind just yet." They both hurried after Conor, Billy hollering after Alexa to stop.
When they arrived at the Druk shop, a manager stepped out, having just received a call from Billy. "How can I help you today sir? I understand there may have been some trouble next door?"
Conor stared at the man and considered, "Today's outcome depends on you. Do you want to sell a car?"
"For those who wish to buy, we are always open for business, Mr. Brantley."
"Very good. In that case, I would like a Drakon. Whatever is the most low-key and usable."
"Sir those terms do not normally go together. Drakons are our luxury models. However... I suppose I do have a sapphire model that might fit your needs. It's an SUV style but inside has all the newest upgrades. It's rather nice for off-roading, but would still get you places if you needed it to."
"How much?"
"90,000 dragons, and not an iron less."
"Done, but I want Alexa here to receive a commission, build it in if you must. She tried to sell us a car over there but was shut down by her manager. She deserves to work somewhere that knows how to do business." "Conor held out his hand and Ana rushed up, placing a black card in his hand. He passed it to the manager.
"My name is Prescott Brin, manager of this establishment. Mr. Brantley, this way." He looked down at the card in his hand as he went to scan it and stopped cold, staring at the name. "Vokrizin?"
"Yes, is there a problem with the card?"
"No, but the name... do you know its origins?"
"I do."
"And you wouldn't happen to know... or be its founder would you?"
"I would." Conor was curious at the man's curious behavior and questions.
"Sir, may I ask, have the Dovari returned?"
Conor stiffened. Prescott Brin noticed and quickly lowered his voice. "Sir, please take no offense or alarm. I serve the Dovari." He withdrew a medallion, emblazoned with a seal of a dragon. "Should they rise again, know there are those ready to serve. Just call when the time is right" He bowed and handed Conor back the card along with his business card. "As for Miss Alexa, I will be sure she is well trained and taken care of here. Should you ever have a need in the future, you just call and we will ensure every need is met."
"The car?"
"A gift, in memory of a great service, once rendered, and a hope for a brighter future."
Conor bowed in turn. "Celia's blessing be upon you and your business."
He turned to Ana, "If you would, please meet me back at the office."
"Of course."
When both cars arrived at Dreadnaught Law Firm, Conor walked over to Ana. "Thank you Miss. Brooks for your assistance today."
"I didn't really do much. I just drove... and, you can just call me Ana. Miss. Brooks feels so formal."
Conor smiled, "Well, perhaps when we are both off the clock, Ana."
Ana Smiled hearing her name, "Oh, I do have one thing to show you, if you have time."
"I believe I do."
"The workers finished your office this morning! We should go take a look!"
"After you," Conor said, holding the door open. He followed Ana up to the fourth floor.
As they entered, the smell of fresh paint was faint in the air. "Wow, it looks amazing!" All of the elements that Conor had seen previously on Friday were complete and painted. Each office door had nameplates, and all of the floorings had been installed.
"Your office is also fully furnished now." Ana led him to the back corner and opened his office door. The main office had a glass window to see into the hall, and along the walls were dark cherry wood bookshelves. A solid oak desk sat at an angle with a view out the back window over the pond.
"You and the team did amazing with this," Conor said, nearly speechless in wonder.
Ana walked to the right wall and tugged on a bookcase. The whole shelving unit slid forward and to the side revealing a hallway.
"Secret room?" Conor asked peering in.
"Private suite, Sir." Ana walked in, and lights came on as she moved into the hall. To her left, a door opened to reveal a large bathroom with a huge walk-in shower. "Any time you may need to use it, this suite is available to you, and down here," she continue another few steps where the hall opened into a larger master room. "This is your private room. This does not show on the building plans and outside our design team and Mr. Nuri, no one else will know it is here. It is fully soundproof from the rest of the office so even if you wanted to watch a movie or blare music, no one would even know you were in the office. There is a speaker over here, you can click this button and it will pipe sound in from your office, or from the hall, so you can tell what is going on out in the office. The secretary desk also has a button that can alert you if someone has arrived for you. This wall here has a bank of screens for the cameras around the office should you need it. This whole room is secure and can be considered a complete safe room."
"Anna, you have no idea how much this means that you all thought of this."
"If you ever need us, just ask. And if you ever need me, I am just a phone call away." she said with a wink.