Another perspective

*This chapter is from Murphy Graingers perspective.

I was awoken by my alarm clock. Getting up and taking my shower, I decided to wear a bright color today, opposite of my mood, but perhaps it will act as some camouflage. 

After the shower, I did my makeup and grabbed a breakfast sandwich from Tracy, my maid. She knew I was in a hurry this morning, and I swear I need to give her a raise. She is more competent than 90% of the people at my company. 

I grabbed the keys to the Audi. The Mercedes is too gawdy and drives like a boat. The Audi will get me to my meetings today fast and without any loud noises or burnouts. A few seconds later, I am flying down the road towards my first appointment. I am already running late. I hate being late, almost as much as I hate other people being late. 

My GPS told me the next turn was the office of the new P.I. in town, recommended by my police contact, Captain Geomonty. This agency, while brand new and something I would normally avoid, was impressively described as having both physical and technological means of making my situation easier to solve. 

I whipped the E-tron into the parking lot, barely waiting for it to shut off before stepping out and heading for the front door. 

A pretty, but obviously flustered, secretary was tracking my movement through the big glass windows as I headed to the door. No doubt, getting her elevator speech ready, I didn't have time to hear it. 

I opened the door and went right up to the wide-eyed brunette, who, as I got closer, was showing a significant amount of plump cleavage. I dropped my hand on the counter a little too hard, causing it to look like I slammed my hand down. 

"Hello, I have an appointment with Mr. Cole, and I am late." I said, letting her know it was my fault I was running late. Her wide eyes never changed, but she nodded as I heard another voice come from behind her. 

"Mrs. Grainger?" he asked. Looking at him, I replied, "Yes, are you Mr. Cole?" He nodded. "Why don't you come back to my office? We can get you taken care of since I know you're in a hurry." He gave me his best smile. 
I walked after him as he headed a short distance to his office. He had good taste in clothes, and he has a cute butt, I thought as he went to sit behind his desk. Hmm, I noticed he had almost a dozen photos of women about his age all over his desk, including his secretary. I was curious, but I am not here for pleasantries. I had a serious problem and needed results. 

After explaining the case he would be taking on and my expectations as far as being notified about what was going on, I had been slowly getting aroused; this Mr. Coles was exactly the type of guy I needed; he was expecting my high standards, and he didn't flinch at any of my requirements. It probably didn't help that I hadn't had sex in months. As I was handing him the information packet on the case, I slipped my personal email in it and told him to contact me anytime. I don't know why I did that; it was very uncharacteristic of me. Maybe John's possible affairs were getting to me. I started to get up and realized just how damp my underwear was. Jesus Murphy, get ahold of yourself!

To distract from my predicament, I handed him the manilla envelope and turned and hurried out of there in the most dignified way I could. Jumping in the car and peeling out of his parking lot like a bat out of hell. 

Thank God the Audi had air-conditioned seats, or I was going to have to buy new panties before my next appointment. 

I was not looking forward to meeting with James Snidley, a hulking man with a rat-like face and the mustache of a 15 year-old. The handsy, slimy man from New Jersey was trying to renegotiate our contract. 

I had begrudgingly accepted his business proposal, which was to build the electric motor for those turntable entry doors to hotels and casinos. He claimed the American companies that usually made the components were ripping him off and that he could get them for pennies on the dollar from the Chinese, but his government contract specified he had to use American parts. 

He came to us first to see if we could legally get that changed, and then, when that failed, to engineer the motor ourselves with cost-saving parts. 

I had to practically keep my briefcase between him and myself at the last meeting to keep him from "accidentally" feeling me up or brushing against me. I started to think back to Mr. Cole, wishing I was headed back to his office instead of to a meeting with this human vermin. Work stops for no one; it's not like I am the first woman to have to put up with this misogyny, but thankfully I was powerful enough and smart enough to not get into trouble with Snidley.

I pulled up to our attractive glass and steel headquarters, parked in my spot, and walked in the front door. I scanned my card and made it partially through the lobby before being intercepted by El Rato himself.

"Good morning, James," I casually said while not shaking his hand, which garnered an even bigger grin from Snidley. Well, why don't we discuss our business then? He grinned again. "Ladies first," he said with a flourish of his arm. I rolled my eyes and took lead. I could feel his eyes on me like two greasy hands, something that wouldn't wash off until I had this outfit dry cleaned. 

We got to our meeting and presentation room, and I asked the computer to turn on the lights, turn on the projector, and open the Snidley engineering presentation. I went over the schematics with him and explained the cost-saving measures we used while still keeping the motor's safety features. 

"Aww, Murph, you didn't have to add that extra stuff in there; we just needed them cheap!" He exclaimed.

"Well, it turns out that the government has certain regulations that they won't just toss in the trash in the name of expenses." I mentioned. 

"Well, what's the final cost of a unit, then Murphy?" he asked, stepling his fingers like a Sonic the Hedgehog villain.

"We were able to bring the costs down by almost 35%," I stated, "that would effectively bring your costs to 6500 dollars a piece." I finished.

"6500 bucks! Well, I have to say that is a significant cost savings. That is if I hadn't found someone else that could do it for 4000 a unit." He said, slapping his hands together. 
Trying not to let my eye twitch, I said, "Mr. Snidley, am I to understand that you hired two engineering firms to compete to bring this engine to market?" I asked, while seething on the inside. 

"Actually, Murph, they approached me! They don't have all the fancy stuff yours has, but it will meet the contract, and it's $2500 a unit cheaper!" He laughed. 

"I understand that, James," I said, like he was a toddler. "You do have a contract with us; did you consider that?" I asked cautiously. 

"Yes, I did. With the money I am saving, I am willing to pay you the amount for the engineering of the motor and 10% of our agreed-upon purchase of your motors. I think that is fair considering you haven't invested in any tooling or molds that I know of." He said as he was smiling. 

"You realize that we have an ironclad legal agreement. I could exercise my right to have you purchase the agreed upon order." I said, knowing his response. 

"You could do that; I could also tie you up in court with appeals for the next 2-3 years, and you will pay almost as much in legal fees as you would lose by letting the order go." He said it with that shit- eating-grin. 

"Very well, James, I'll play your game. On a personal note, you are a miserable little man; eventually, you will burn all the bridges you can and you will be on your own. Now get out of my building. I will have the updated contract for you to sign overnight. I expect payment within 30 days, or I will make sure that this goes to court on principle alone." Even though I am only 5'10, I felt like I was towering over the rat-faced man. The look I gave him was reserved for only the most personal of offenses against me. It was enough to scare Snidley into scurrying out of my office with his assistant. 

Fuming I went to my office, only to get an alert of an email from Mr. Cole. I felt a little of that anger and tension melt when I looked at the email. 

"Mrs. Grainger, I know you are busy; would you perhaps be available tonight? I have some equipment I need to hook up at your house so that we can intercept the next message your husband gets so that we can track its source. I figured nighttime would be best based on your schedule. Please let me know. 

Sincerely 

Matt Cole, P.I.M.C.&H 

I went ahead and replied that was fine and gave a time frame my husband would be gone so they could install what they needed without suspicion. 

I was interested in seeing Mr. Cole tonight to see if this morning was a fluke or if I really was attracted to the young P.I.