HIS69-511 Head Foreman

Excerpt

Ryan was at his desk working on a cost estimate when his phone rang. It was the boss’s secretary.

“R.T. wants you in his office,” she said. “On the double!”

He stood up as soon as he cradled the phone. He pulled on his jacket and straightened his tie, his mind scrolling the work that had crossed his desk during the past couple of days. He couldn’t think of anything he’d done wrong.

“It isn’t a damn thing you did,” R.T. Bodwell said when Ryan sat down in his office. R.T. Bodwell was president and controlling stockholder of Bodwell Associates. “No, I’ve been hearing only good things about you, young man. But we’ve got a problem.” He lined up a stack of papers with precision. “Chris Hansen got himself badly injured in an auto accident late last night. He’s going to be off work six, eight weeks. His doctors won’t promise anything. That leaves Archer and Hawk high and dry. Hell, they can’t build a shopping mall and answer the phone and do all the goddamn paperwork, too!”

“I’m sorry to hear that, Mr. Bodwell.”

“That’s why I called you in here. You’ve got to hightail it out there and help them until Hansen can get back on the job.”

“But I’ve never—”

“I know all that. But you’re a bright boy. You’ll learn fast working with Archer and Hawk. Drop everything and get out there as soon as you can.” He stood up, making it plain that there was nothing more to be discussed.

Ryan stood up to leave. He was at the door when R.T. stopped him.

“One more thing, Fisk,” he said.

“What’s that?”

“Archer and Hawk are two of our best men in the field. Do everything you can to help them.”