Chapter 156

Madison

I was deep into reconciling the budget projections for the Manhattan project when my desk phone rang. I picked it up while still typing with my free hand.

“Madison Harper speaking.”

“Miss Harper, I have a Herbert Hayes here to see Mr. Knight.” The security desk’s voice crackled through the line.

“One moment, please.” I checked Alexander’s calendar—11:30 AM meeting—which was right on schedule. “Yes, please send him up.”

I returned to my spreadsheets, determined to finish before my lunch break. The soft ding of the elevator barely registered until footsteps approached my desk.

I looked up to find an older gentleman standing before me. He was impeccably dressed in a charcoal suit that had clearly been tailored to his frame. Silver hair swept back from a distinguished face marked with laugh lines around his eyes. I guessed him to be in his mid-fifties.

“Good morning,” I said, offering a professional smile. “You must be Mr. Hayes.