After the others left, Mr. Nuri bowed to Conor, "Again, Sir, forgive me for not informing you sooner about Miss Lokir."
"It's fine. Just bring me up to speed sooner in the future." Then turning to Kerrigan,
"Miss Lokir-"
But she held up a hand, "When it is not so formal, just call me Kerrigan. It gets bothersome being called Miss Lokir when we are the same age."
Conor grinned, "Kerrigan, is there anything you need?"
"Nothing my team can't acquire."
"Good, then for your safety and for that of my people, I think it best you stay on this floor for now. I know it's not a lot of space, but it is the best way for us to limit who knows you are here. I can have my people get anything you need, so as to further limit your own guards being spotted and assumptions being made."
Kerrigan signed, apparently resigned to her fate. "Fine, I do trust my personal assistant, Natalie. Mr. Nuri, if you can help me stay in touch with her, we can mobilize Dragon Corporation assets through her. I believe for a time at least everyone thinks I am simply gone, not dead yet. I suppose we will see what tales Kelan spins."
"Fine," Conor agreed, nodding to Mr. Nuri. "As for Bayan Rail line, it may interest you to know I have already been interested in that project, though it may take me more time than we have to make anything of it. Is Dragon Corporation in a position to take direct control?"
"Of Bayan Rail? I thought about it. But no. I run a large conglomerate, but we don't have THAT much in liquid assets in any one company and it would take selling off almost a tenth of my companies to achieve what is needed. That is not something I am prepared to do right now. You?"
Conor frowned, "Sadly no. I believe it is why Kelan also has not taken it on. He found it cheaper to buy the board than to own the company legally. And now, to out the board, it would take us controlling 80% or better to out his 5% pet board members voting rights."
Mr. Nuri silently watched the two before saying, "Trust in Celia's wisdom, both of you. There may be more at work than you know."
Conor and Kerrigan turned to Mr. Nuri with probing stares, but he simply bowed and exited the room. Conor shook his head, "That man knows far more than he ever lets on."
"Infuriating. Natalie does that to me as well."
Conor turned to Kerrigan and was about to speak when he spotted her three guards eyeing him closely. He cleared his throat cautiously, "Right, well, I will be working away from the office on a few projects. Please let us know if there is anything you need. My staff are trustworthy and will be on hand throughout the day. My secretary, Kayle, is at the desk near the elevators and can ensure any supplies you or your staff need are delivered here discreetly."
"Thank you, Conor. Perhaps later, when things blow over, you and your wife can join me for dinner. As a thank you. My treat."
Conor stiffened at the mention of Jessica. "I thank you, Miss Lokir." He said formally, "However, a few things have changed since you were last in Jinstain. But you have enough on your plate. If you will excuse me." He made a hasty exit, ignoring the incredulous stares that followed him down the hall.
As he rounded the corner, he leaned up against the wall, heart sour.
'Conor, the pain of such a betray will not be easy to overcome. But you are well on your way. Shine bright, and do not let other's darkness hold you back,' came Celia's gentle caress within his mind. He straightened as Parker came around the corner and saluted.
"Sir, the car is ready if you want to head out. I believe Mr. Miros and Miss. Jackson also plan to head to the community center shortly."
"Parker, man, they are still Peter and Cara. Celia help us all when there are two Miros' here."
They both laughed as Parker led the way down to the car.
Kerrigan stared after Conor's retreating form in shock. His blue eyes had flashed to a steely gray glue and any light and passion that had been there winked out when she had mentioned his wife. When the conference room doors closed, she turned to Evelynn, "Find out about his wife."
"Ma'am?"
"When I was here for a Gala at the start of winter, he was with his wife. Find out what happened to her if you can. I want to know if that was just some rough patch I touched on or something more. Best to be aware of things like that so I don't walk into a thorn patch with our current hosts."
"Very good, Ma'am." She slipped out the door as Reilynn slipped up next to her. "Do you trust him and his team?"
"Conor? Mostly. Mr. Nuri, almost explicitly. The rest? They seem like good people. Keep your head on a swivel, as always. And, please get me something for the pain, my leg is killing me," she said, slipping down into a chair, her façade crumbling as she rubbed at the hidden bandages along her calf and felt a twinge in her shoulder.
"My lady," Reilynn moved in to catch her and help ease her into her chair. "shall I simply roll you back to the office?"
Kerrigan grimaced, "Think anyone is watching?"
"Not at the moment."
"Fine. Gah, I hope this heals quickly, this is embarrassing."
"You are fortunate to live, my lady. That man would have given me and Evelynn trouble if we faced him together," said Gabrielle. Kerrigan knew they had discussed the attack at length but it still didn't make her feel any better about the situation. She should have been more observant in the parking garage.
As they wheeled her back to Conor's corner office she asked, "Have you heard anything about the attack from Targu? Is Benedict making any kind of stink?"
"No, My lady. Today would be the first day most would even have a notion you are missing outside of your security team, and most of us are here with you, or aware of the situation. No one else is likely to know anything is amiss. As far as we know, even Kelan thinks the secretary is dead, not you."
Kerrigan snorted, "I suppose it will be telling to see who worries first, and what actions they try to take. Try to get in touch with Natalie. She much be worried when I didn't show this morning on time."
Reilynn grimaced, "My orders from Breanna were to not contact the outside world if at all possible for a few days. She was going to come up with a plan. She knows Natalie is trustworthy. I am sure she will loop her in when the time is right."
"How does Breanna expect me to keep Dragon Corporation running if I cannot even talk to my people?"
Reilynn's lilting brogue was dripping with sarcastic condescension, "She expects you to rest and recover, my lady. Not that you know how to do such a thing. But short of that, she expects you to try and trust your people for the time being to protect you and know that your company is in good hands. Natalie will keep the wolves at bay, and if you trust this Mr. Nuri fellow and Mr. Brantley, I dare say they will have a few tricks up their sleeves to deal with Kelan. I seems they have their own bone to pick with him, and your tale is just an excuse to do things without attracting attention to themselves. They may even thank you for the excuse later."
Kerrigan grinned at that. "Perhaps you are right. Well, if I am going to be stuck here, can you at least find me some books to read. Oh, and some cider! Gah, it's been days now without Natalie bringing me any."
"I will see what I can find, my lady," said Gabrielle. "I think that secretary, Kayle might be able to help me locate a few things." Once Kerrigan was settled back in Conor's office suite, Gabrielle disappeared to find books and cider.