Lois, thank you for the beta...you are the greatest!
Author’s Comments: Just a gentle reminder that chapters 25-32 are happening on the same day. We know about Brian’s day so far…I guess we should find out what’s been happening with Justin and Spyder.
Chapter 29 – Did I Not Mention Earlier that morning… (Day 43) “Oh my goodness,” said the receptionist at Barrister, Wilkins & Evans, one of the premier architectural firms in New York. “Adrienne,” Spyder said with a smile, “Still guarding the fort I see. And you remember Justin Taylor, don’t you?” “Of course. Hi Justin,” she said in reply. She returned her attention quickly back to Spyder. “It’s good you two are back. Things haven’t been the same without you.” “We planned it that way,” Spyder teased, “It’s good to know that we haven’t lost our touch.” “You kidder,” she responded with traces of her British accent showing through her practiced American tones, “You’re scheduled to meet with Mr. Evans, I see. Someone will be right out to get you. Would either of you like coffee or something?” “No, we’re fine,” Spyder said, looking over at Justin to confirm. “No thanks,” Justin said, as he was making his way to a comfortable seat. Spyder and Justin made themselves comfortable. “I can’t believe that the modification of the company website warrants senior partner involvement to meet with us,” Justin suggested, “What do you think is going on here?” “They told me this was a simple modification. I’m taking a wait and see attitude. Like I told Brian, I’m only willing to do this project if it’s not too much trouble. You have shows coming up, and I have to go back on the coast. Although you and I can work together from anywhere, I’m not sure either of us is really inclined to do that at the moment. So we’ll just see.” “What do you mean, you’re going to the coast?” “Do I detect a hint that I’ll be missed? Be still my little heart!” “Will you stop being a drama queen? You know how I feel about you.” “Yeah, I do. Same here.” “Then what going on?” “We’ll talk about it later.” “Promise?” “Promise.” At that moment, they noticed someone approaching. The person stopped momentarily to speak to Adrienne, and then immediately came over to them. “I’m Toni Andrews. I’m Mr. Evans’ assistant. The two of you are legendary around here. Mr. Evans has been looking forward to this meeting.” “It’s a simple website,” Spyder reminded her. “Yes, but we live in the technological age. That makes the website critical. We couldn’t function without it. Not now...not ever.” Toni said, emphasizing the last part. Justin and Spyder were about to inquire further, but before they could speak, Toni continued, “Here we are,” she said, showing them into a conference room. “He’ll be right with you.” Justin and Spyder set about making themselves comfortable in the room to wait. “So you two are back where you belong,” a voice said from behind them. “I tried to tell the others that we couldn’t afford to let you go. They had limited vision and wouldn’t listen to me. So we know it’s going to cost us a fortune to get you two back. Ok…name your price,” he insisted. “Mitchell, there must be some mistake. We understood that you needed a simple modification to the website that we designed. So we’re prepared to consider that. Coming back to work for the firm wasn’t even on the table,” Spyder quickly pointed out. “Besides, wouldn’t you like to say hello first,” he teased. “Of course, how are you Justin? Hello Spyder. How’s that?” “Much better.” “By the way congratulations to both of you on your nomination for the Bronze Quill. I know that the price tag to get you both back here went up with the nomination. I’m trying to close our deal to get you back before you actually win the award. See I do know about these things,” Mitchell said with a smile. “Now back to my original question, what is it going to take for the two of you to come back here?” “So just as Taylor suspected, the website was just a ruse?” “Now Spyder stop being so suspicious. No. No. The website needs a new segment to be added. The idiots on our staff can’t figure out your code…what a surprise there…so you and Justin have to write that segment. That part is a genuine contract. Having you come back to the firm was just frosting to make an old man happy,” Mitchell finally admitted sheepishly. “Mitchell, please not the ‘old man’ routine. You’re what, 45…have you no shame?” “Even immune to the sympathy routine, Justin how do you deal with him?” “I’m still learning.” “Ok Mitchell, let’s talk about what you need.” “You and Justin added a proprietary segment to our website that allows several architects to work on our location-site designs simultaneously…without regard for location.” “Yes, I remember.” “We’re about to acquire three international firms. We need to bring them on line as part of our proprietary network, and they need to be able to work with us as seamlessly as our existing in house staff. That’s essentially it.” “And when do you want it?” “I wanted it yesterday. I would be happy with tomorrow. But I’m trying to learn patience in my old age. So the question is, when can I have it? I’m at your mercy.” “I do so love to hear you beg,” Spyder teased. “It sounds like a simple problem. Our replacements should have been able to handle this. My code is really not that complex.” “The three acquisitions all have their own proprietary websites. Some of them have features we would like to incorporate within our system. Then we want all four systems to work as one coordinated unit. We want an architect in New York and one in Paris to work on a project in Hong Kong.” Mitchell explained. “This is more work than either Taylor or I bargained for,” Spyder started to protest. “We both have commitments…I just don’t know…we really have to think about this,” Spyder said haltingly. He immediately knew that Justin was going to kill him for getting him involved in this mess. “Promise me that you’ll think about this. I’ve prepared a packet of information to help you with your decision. Stay in touch with Toni or myself on this. Of course, I need your answer as soon as possible.” “Ok,” Spyder said with a sigh. “Taylor and I will review this and talk about things, and we’ll be in touch. But Mitchell, you’ve got to realize that this is a surprise. I’m not really sure how I feel about this.” “Understood. That’s good enough for now,” Mitchell said, “I’d offer to bribe you with lunch, but I have another meeting. I’ll save it for a celebration lunch or dinner when you two hopefully tell me yes.” “We’ll see,” Spyder said cautiously, “I wouldn’t break out the champagne just yet though.” They continued walking towards the reception area exit. “Spyder…Justin, I’m going to continue to hope…at least until I hear a definite no from you.” “Like I said, Mitchell, we’ll think about it,” Spyder reminded him. “Fair enough,” Mitchell said hopefully with a sigh. “Good seeing you again, Mr. Evans,” Justin added. “You too, Justin. I have a feeling we’ll be working together so you better make that Mitchell.” “I’d like that,” Justin said with a smile as they finally reached the reception area. “Excuse me, Mr. Evans, ” Adrienne interrupted quietly. “Yes, Adrienne,” Mitchell answered, turning to see to what Adrienne wanted, as Justin and Spyder motioned their final goodbyes. They were about to leave when Spyder heard his name. “Spyder, you do manage to get around, don’t you?” the voice said quietly. Spyder recognized the voice and turned, “This city is really just a small town, and I do like to be where the action is, you know that Adam. What are you doing here?” “I’m here for a meeting. We should get together for drinks so we can catch up. I’ll call you,” Adam said. “Oh, where are my manners. This is one of my associates at the firm, Kip Thomas. Kip meet Spyder Smith.” “Spyder…unusual name. Hello, I’m pleased to meet you,” Kip said, shaking hands with Spyder, but Kip’s eyes were fixed upon Justin. Spyder noticed. “You too,” Spyder said returning the handshake. “And this is my PARTNER, Justin Taylor. Taylor this is Adam Lyons and Kip Thomas. Adam is a partner in Kennedy and Collins, one of the major ad agencies here in New York.” “THE major ad agency here in the city,” Adam corrected him. “Did I fail to mention his modesty?” Spyder added. “Please to meet you both,” Justin said, relying on his country club manners because he had just come face to face with a ghost from his past. “I don’t mean to stare,” Kip quietly said, appearing to search his memory bank to connect the face and name, “But you look familiar, have we met before?” Before, Justin could answer, Spyder interrupted, “For some reason that seems to be the universal reaction to my partner. It happens so often that a smile seems to be the only proper response. So please, Taylor, a simple smile…so we can be on our way.” “I can understand why you would feel that way,” Adam said, with a sigh of understanding, as he too began to fix his eyes on Justin. Justin and Adam simply smiled at each other, while Kip still seemed to be trying to make the pieces fit. Meanwhile Spyder continued, “Well, we need to be going. Adam, give me a call. You have the number. We seem to have some catching up to do.” “Obviously,” Adam said, nodding toward Justin. And with that Spyder and Justin proceeded to quickly leave the area. Once they were outside, Spyder turned to Justin, “Do you want to talk about it?” “Not really.” “You know I’m not going to let this drop?” “I know,” Justin said with a sigh. “I think I’ll head to my studio. We’ll talk later.” “Promise? I think we have a lot to talk about,” Spyder said calmly. “Promise,” Justin confirmed. “So you’ll call me later?” Spyder asked trying to hide his concern. Justin nodded his agreement. “Let’s share a cab. After this morning’s mode of transportation, I’m not ready to face the subway just yet.” That last statement caused Justin to laugh. “That’s better,” Spyder said, letting all his unasked questions drop for the moment.