[Reid Enterprise]
The afternoon sun filtered through the blinds, casting angled stripes across Alexander's desk.
He stood near the window with his sleeves rolled reading through quarterly reports while Carl hovered nervously with a tablet in hand.
"Carl," Alexander said without looking up, "move tomorrow's finance review to Monday. I need the projections before—"
Just then the office door burst open, interrupting him.
"Okay, don't kill me," Lucas announced. "But I have big news."
Alexander closed the file, giving him his full attention.
"Before I start," Lucas continued, holding up a hand, "I want you to remember that I am the messenger, a fragile, innocent messenger."
Carl stepped back automatically. He had a feeling whatever the news was, it wasn't a good one.
Without waiting for Alexander's response, Lucas started spilling. "Evelyn had a meeting this morning."
Alexander blinked once. "A meeting?" he asked, confused.
"Yes, a meeting with a man," Lucas clarified.
