The Fifteen Minute Novel is a novel written fifteen minutes at a time with each week day’s section starting with the sentence from the previous day. At least it is attempting to be a novel. For now I am just aiming at one continuous story, worked on for fifteen minutes each day. Started Friday January 1st, 2021 (in case you want to search for the beginning. I can’t wait to see where it ends up. It could be good, or it could be a mess. We’ll have to see. For now, here is today’s fifteen minutes.
Day 74: “Your family is causing…complications.”
“Your family is causing…complications.”
James felt the edge of amusement cut through his worry and tug the corner of his mouth. “Are they?”
“I believe Carson mentioned they wanted our help?”
“He did and I promised not to contact them,” James said. It had been an easy decision.
“One of the issues they are having problems with deals with a government contract,” the agent explained.
“Which one?” James asked. “The company has several.”
“I’m not certain,” the agent said. “However I have been asked to help deal with it.”
“You have?” James said. A light dawned. “You’ve been asked to have me deal with it.”
“I’m told too much time and resources have been committed to simply cut ties and so I have been asked to present you with a proposition. We can have the files and information transported and you can work with us to straighten out the matter. You will of course be given a consultant’s fee.”
James leaned back and studied the two men before him. Carson didn’t seem to care what he decided either way, but the older agent looked …irritated.
“I take it this isn’t the normal way things go?” James asked.
“It isn’t,” he was told.
“And that’s why you told me that going back was a possibility,” James realized. “If there is the possibility of returning I wouldn’t want the company to fail in my absence. Therefore letting me know I might be able to return gives me incentive to help you out. Very sneaky.”
“It was a necessary sneak,” the agent said.
“Except that I’ve already sold my shares of the company,” James added. “If I do go back, I won’t be rejoining the business.”
“So you are refusing to help?”
“No,” James said. “But I want a few things made clear before I agree. While the consultant’s fee should come out of the family funds, which seems only fair as the …snafu seems to have occurred on their side, I don’t want my name brought up.”
“You don’t want them to know you are bailing them out?” Carson said, leaning forward. “You are concerned they will be disheartened they couldn’t manage a week without you?”
“Not exactly,” James said.
“You don’t want them tracing you,” the older agent said. The hint of a smile crossed his lips. “My guess is this isn’t the first time you’ve had to bail them out.”
“Hardly the first,” James said. “They can know that I am the one doing the consultant work but I don’t want them to have my new name or contact information. Even if I don’t stay James Ferris, I want to remain apart. For now anyway.”
“That can be managed. We will need you to start work immediately.”
“Well it isn’t like I have any plans this weekend,” James replied. Can you have the files here by the morning?”
“I believe so. I can also have the accounting and contracts set up then as well. “
James nodded. “Then we can get started first thing and see what needs to be done. I’ve only been gone a few months. How bad a muddle could it have gotten into in that time?”
Ten til Midnight 