Some meetings

After Dunnigan left Hunter opened the pouch and looked in it. There was a small flashlight and nothing else. He picked up the flash drive and looked at it thoughtfully then placed it in his desk drawer. He sat back in his chair thinking, still unsure of what he had been told, and even more unsure of the changes he had observed.

He shook his head and gave a short sigh of confusion and puzzlement, before calling up some spreadsheets and getting to work.

He had been at in for half an hour when Simon tapped on his door and came in without waiting, slumping down in the chair in front of Hunter's desk and tossing a few pages in front of him.

"Hey Skip. I did some sweetening on the print copy, plus a few tweaks on the TV stuff. It can bleed to that social media shit too. I already ran it by Leo and he's good. Just need you're ok." He put an unlit cigarette in his mouth, rolling it from side to side, his eyes twinkling. It was a favourite game of his to bait people into telling him he couldn't smoke, but Hunter had seen it so many times he refused to rise. He gathered up the papers and scanned them, his eyes flickering quickly over the words.

"This looks a lot like what we already had," he said.

"It is. Except it's sweeter," Simon laughed. "That's what you pay me for."

"You're incorrigible," Hunter laughed. "Use it."

"Done. Who was the old professor you had in here for so long? The guy looks like a character actor that should be cast in one of those PBS specials."

"Just an old acquaintance. Friend of the family. He was in town and decided to drop by. You know how it is with family."

"Not really. Don't have one to speak of. I got lots of ex-wives though, does that count?" Simon gathered up the papers and stood. "Oh yeah, one more thing. That intern Sally? She's in dreamland today. She either needs to get straight or get laid, cause her head's not here."

"Thanks for letting me know, Simon. The new copy is good. Great work as usual."

"Thanks. Later Skip." Hunter leaned back in his chair and thought for a moment, his mind still turning things over. As he did so, Toni the receptionist appeared in his door.

"Sorry to bother you Mr. Collins, but it's been very busy at reception and I haven't had a chance to leave the desk until now. That gentleman who came to see you left an envelope for you when he left." She stepped forward and put it on his desk with a pretty smile and turned to leave.

"Just a minute Toni," he said, stopping her. "Did Mr. Dunnigan say anything before he left?"

She leaned her head to one side thinking, letting her long auburn hair fall away from her face. "No, not really. He was just very, y'know gracious? So polite. He told me I was a very fortunate young lady." She giggled prettily.

"Oh?" Hunter smiled. "How so?"

"To be lucky enough to work with someone like you," she giggled again, then grew serious. "I'm not laughing at you Mr. Collins. I actually do think I'm lucky to work here...and I really admire what you do."

"Why thank you Toni," Hunter said, rising to his feet. "That's good to hear." He walked around the desk and took her hand, squeezing it lightly and looking into her face. "I really value your work here too."

Toni flushed slightly, a smile quivering and fading then coming to life again on her face. She gave a short little sniff and squeezed his hand before she let it go.

"Th..thank you Mr. Collins. Oh my. I'm not used to so many compliments, first Mr. Dunnigan and now you."

"All well deserved Toni," he said softly.

"I love...love your cologne...sir..." she stammered, blushing and not meeting his eyes. "I'd like to get some...for...for my boyfriend..."

"I'm afraid it's very exclusive Toni. Imported. It was given to me by a very old friend."

"Oh...." she said, biting her lip and wriggling slightly. "That's too bad. I'd have loved to have him wear it."

Hunter gave her a slow smile then put his hand on her back and escorted her to his office door. He could feel her body tremble at his touch and hear the sharp gasp she stifled.

"Take care Toni. And thanks for bringing the envelope by."

He watched her walk away to her desk, her hips swaying provocatively. She turned once to look over her shoulder, then flushed red as she saw him watching. With an embarrassed smile she looked away and kept walking.