He braced himself and opened it. Reading as fast as he could, his heart rate subsided as he recognized it as preliminary material for next month’s trip.

You’ve got to calm down, he told himself, undoing his collar button and loosening his tie. He was opening his door to get some air just as Nick Martinez happened to be approaching.

“Good timing, Jeff,” he said. “I got to know if you’re up for the Yankees before I commit to the tickets. Got a lot of other people who want to go, but you’re first in line.”

“Thanks, Nick, but I’m going to have to pass on this one.”

“Not a problem. Hey, you okay?”

“Sure, why?”

“You look a little tense.”

“The guy who attacked us escaped from jail.”

“That’s the guy? I saw it on the news. Wow.”

“He’s the one.”

“I’m sure they’ll catch him.” Martinez patted his shoulder. “Hang in there. Do you have a gun?”

“No.”

“Look, if you’re thinking about getting one, my sister, the attorney, might be able to help you with the permit, expedite things, you know. Just let me know.”

“Okay. I know nothing about guns. Still, it should be fairly easy for me to get one, right?” Jeff said. “I mean, if I wanted one?”

“That’s right. Just let me know.”

“I will, Nick. Appreciate that.”

“Oh, before I forget. Whitney told me to remind you she has more demo figures for local and international marketing to share with you before the Globo Aedifico meeting later this morning.”

“Okay, thanks, Nick.”

As Jeff returned to his desk, Fred Bonner materialized at his door. “Hey there, superstar.”

“Fred.”

“Hey, you know that woman I was asking you about, the hot one?”

Jeff tensed. “Yeah?”

Bonner closed the door, then lowered his voice. “I finally figured out who she is.”

“What do you mean?”

“I thought she looked familiar so I did a little digging.”

“Why?”

“Why? Are you blind? She’s a knockout. Anyway, she’s Vida Warren from your Cleveland office, right?”

Jeff swallowed. “Yes, so?”

“I met her once on a business trip. Oh man. Listen, Jeffster, I’d like you to do me a solid. The next time you see her or she plans to come in, let me know, and we can make it a business lunch.” Bonner slapped his back. “My treat, okay?”

“But you’re married, Fred.”

“Sure, sure. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not what you think. But we’re always looking for new talent, especially when the talent looks like Vida, huh?” Bonner winked.

The man’s a pig, Jeff thought after Bonner left a wake of overpowering cologne.

Jeff tried to work, but it was futile.

He tried texting Vida but got no response.