Past Due Read Online Free Page B

today he was called inside.
    He poured two cups of coffee and carried them to the meeting room and set one in front of the tall, dark-haired man sitting at the table. Russell looked him over and seemed to approve. The man dressed casually in jeans and a polo shirt. “Have a cup of joe, son. It’s black. You want cream and sugar, it’s right there. You here to fill out an application?”
    “No. Just waiting for Esther to tell me what to do.”
    “Ahh, Esther. She’s in charge of you, eh? Well, she’s the one bossing me today too. Made me stop work to come meet some squid from the governor’s office.” Russell sat and wiped the sweat from his brow. “I suppose a break in the AC won’t kill me.” Russell took a drink and reached for a cigarette in his breast pocket, then sighed. “Ah, hell, always forget the smoke Nazis will attack if I light up. Hard habit to break, you know?”
    “I’ve heard. Never had the habit myself.”
    “Good thing. Smart boy. Started when I turned 17. Guess I thought it made me look taller.” Russell laughed. “Wonder where the hell...” Russell looked to the door then leaned across the table and whispered, “Hey, son, you know why politicians wear ties?”
    The man shook his head and Russell laughed at his own punch line before he delivered it: “To keep the foreskin from coming up over their heads.” Russell slapped the table and relaxed in his chair. “One of the chimney movers told me that one when they were here. Damned good crew. Awesome stuff those boys did. Moved that light some two thousand feet.” He took a slow sip then asked, “You looking to be a ranger?”
    The question went unanswered. Esther Smith, the office manager, entered the room with platter of cookies and doughnuts. She set them on the table and smiled.
    Russell turned to Esther, “Where’s the guy from the capital, Esther? I don’t have all damn day for this crap.”
    Esther smiled and slowly nodded her head forward.
    Russell turned his attention to the man sitting next to him. He looked him over again. He stood well over six feet, which towered over Russell’s own five and a half feet. He had broad shoulders, and a well-muscled body that rippled through the thin cotton shirt. His skin glowed with a healthy swarthiness. His black hair was trimmed short, but his loose curls were untamed. He had a firm jaw, deep brown eyes and a straight nose. “You’re the squid?”
    The man nodded.
    Russell shook his head. “Would never have guessed it. I mean you’re good looking enough, but in a sturdy way, not like some pretty boy.”
    “Russell,” Esther shook her head back and forth as she scowled at him.
    Russell shrugged, his bald head turned red. “I, ah, s’pose I’m not real smooth with my words. I, ah, I…”
    Esther jumped in, “Russ Hooper, just be still before you stuff both feet in your mouth. This is Mr. Coulter, the governor’s aid, and he’s here to check in on the light.”
    Mr. Coulter leaned forward and extended a hand to the flush-faced Russell. Russell gawked at it as if it were somehow a separate entity from the man. It was a big hand, more like a paw, and it was calloused, not smooth and manicured.
    “Hello, Mr.?” Mr. Coulter inquired with a grin.
    “Call me Russell. And forgive my foot in mouth disease, sad case I got of it too.”
    Mr. Coulter’s laughter echoed in the room. “Russ, I’ve been surrounded by lawyers, lobbyists, and politicians for so long, I’d forgotten how good it felt to be around real people. And trust me; I’ll be sure to remember your joke when I get back to the capital.”
    Russell’s round, red face turned crimson. He tried to explain, “Just hate to waste time, Mr. Coulter. Been anxious to get to the meeting with the engineers. They’re finishing up the last infrastructure check. ”
    “So, you’ve been in charge of the move?”
    “No, sir. I’m just in charge of the local labor. The chimney company that come down from Buffalo had their