The Switch Read Online Free Page A

walked around the
corner of the building John could see a trail of blood being left on the
sidewalk from the wound on Steve’s leg. The amount of blood on the sidewalk
indicated he had a deep cut.
     
    They walked up to the doors
under the Merchandise Pick-up sign and again looked inside. John knocked on the
door several times but no one came to the door. Steve located a doorbell button
on the wall beside the door and pushed it in, and held it in. Neither could
hear an internal bell. 
     
    John asked, “Why do you think
an electric door bell will work?”
     
    He knew that when Steve did
not laugh at their poor judgment or make any kind of sarcastic remark, that he
was hurting. Steve always had a smart comment. But not this time, he was hurt
for sure.
     
    He looked at Steve leaning
against the brick wall holding his head down and his eyes closed. He turned to
the glass door and beat it as hard as he could in an effort to gain the
attention of anyone inside. He then turned towards the parking lot and looked
for a rock or anything else he thought was strong enough to break the door
glass. He knew he had to find a first aid kit quickly or Steve could be in
serious trouble. There was nothing within sight that could be used to break the
glass so he walked towards the elevated receiving dock. As he crossed the dock
he heard Steve yell out, “Appleseed, someone is here at the door.”
     
    John ran to the door to see a
young man and woman standing inside. Steve was telling them through the glass
that they were Regional Asset Protection Managers for Sears, and they needed
help.
     
    The man inside told Steve to
show his identification, both Steve and John pulled their ID cards from their
wallets and held them to the glass for the man to see. John doubted the young
man could read the ID in such low light but he did it anyhow. The only light
was from the continuous lightening.
     
    The man asked them what they
wanted. John told them that they were at the airport when the electricity failed
and about Steve’s injury. Both the man and woman bent lower to look at Steve’s
leg. 
     
    Again the man asked what they
wanted.
     
    John looked him straight in
the face as he moved his face to about one inch from the glass and said, “We
need to come inside, wash his wound and get to your first aid kit. He is
bleeding to death.”
     
    The young man said, “I am
sorry, but we’re not allowed to let anyone in this building. The store manager
told us not to let anyone in.”
     
    John asked, “What’s your
name?
     
    “Kale.”
     
    John asked, “What is your job
here with Sears?”
     
    Kale replied, “Asset
Protection Manager”.
     
    John then said in a calm yet
very firm voice, “Listen to what I am about to say, Kale because I am serious
as hell. I will tell you again that I am a Regional Asset Protection Manager. I
am not here to steal anything. I appreciate your dedication to protecting this
building, but unless you open this door right now, I am going to grab the
refrigerator dolly someone left on the dock and I am going to throw it through
this glass. I know you have no way of calling the Police, but even if you
could, I will still come through this door. This fellow Sears salaried manager
needs help and needs help now. So I suggest you either open this door or stand
back so you don’t get hurt!”
     
    The woman who had been
standing silent behind Kale spoke up and told Kale to open the door. He looked
her way, hesitated a few seconds, and then pulled his keys from his pocket and
opened the door.  The woman introduced herself as Linda, the women’s department
manager. She told them to follow her to the men’s room.
     
    They walked down the dark
hall to the restrooms. She told Kale to go get the first aid kit. Kale made a
huffing noise as he turned and walked away. He mumbled something about it was
her ass if Mr. Dean found out.
     
    Linda looked at Steve and
John. “How would you like to have to work with a jerk like