Chapter12: Braxton--Bargain

Jeff Thompson rushes into my office like a child hurrying in to see the principal before he gets in bigger trouble for acting out in class. It’s too late for Thompson to change his behavior now to avoid punishment, but then, what I have in mind gets him off of the hook for all of his mistakes anyway, assuming he goes along with it, assuming his wife does not decline. If that’s the case, he’s in bigger trouble than he knows. “Mr. Merriweather, sir,” he says, offering me his hand. “I’m so sorry I’m running behind. The company car you sent was caught in traffic.” I arch an eyebrow at him. Does he really think I’m not aware that the reason he is late is because he didn’t even get into the car until a few minutes before he was meant to be here? I will not have that discussion with him, though. “Have a seat, Thompson,” I tell him, declining to shake his hand as I can’t force myself to do so at the moment. He drops his hand, drags it along his suit pants like there’s something wrong with it,