Early September, 1999 Oklahoma City, chapter 1

Jiminy Christmas, just what had she let herself in for? Angel-Ica Newland turned uncertainly to climb back onto the city bus, but it was already roaring away down the busy expressway in a haze of exuast fumes.

“ Think of this interview as an adventure,” she muttered to herself, looking at the imposing black marvel and glass skyscraper looming before her. “ you know you don’t have what it takes to get this job as a fancy executive assistant.”

Angie looked again at the address. Yes, this was the right building: 666 Logan parkway. 666. Without thinking, she crossed herself, then felt foolish. She had never been religious, but old habits died hard, and she knew her late grandmother would have warned her not to consider a job in a building with that address .

The Oklahoma breeze blew wisps of her dark blonde hair out of her French twist. She probably looked a sight, but nothing much could improver her plain looks anyway, she thought. Angie squinted at the magazine in her hand. A darkly handsome man dressed in a tuxedo ejth a leading Hollywood beauty on his arm stared back from the cover of Bussines International Monthly. The headline splashed across the cover read: JOHN LOGAN VI: THE MYSTERIOUS OUTLAW OF WALL STREET, CONTROLS HIS EMPIRE FROM CATTLE COUNTRY WHILE LIVING THE ELUSIVE LIFE OF AN INTERNATIONAL PLAYBOY.

“ I might as well get this over with; Angie thought aloud , swallowing her misgivings as she put the magazine in her purse and marched through the heavy brass and glass doors, blinking pale blue eyes temporarily blinded by the bright sun outside.

The building was as rich foreboding inside as it was on the outside . It made her feel frumpy and plump , nothing at all like the elegant women she saw crossing the rich marble halls, hurrying to beautifully decorated offices.

“She searched out the directory by the elevators. “Executive offices: 66th floor.”Angie took a deep breath and straightened her navy blue dress, wishing it wasn’t so plain as she stepped into the elevator to be whizzed up at dizzying speed. She’d felt drawn by some unseen force to apply for this job, but now she regretted the impulse . She pulled out the magazine again.

It was his eyes , she decided. John Logan VI’s dark eyes seemed weary and sad, belying his reputation as a cutthroat Bussines exec.

“ jiminy Christmas, he’s used to beauties, He won’t hire me.” Angie stuffed the magazine back into her purse. She’d already read it twice. According to the article, for six generations his family had built its sprawling empire, beginning with railroads and gold mines and , later, cattle and oil. The outlaw of Wall Street, they called him. John Logan VI had a reputation for being hard and ruthless and very, very successful.

“ just a dream boss, she muttered to herself as the elevator stopped “ Angie , you are an idiot! “ She got of on the sixty-sixth floor . The corridors surrounding the elevator were full of hurrying people. Angie paused at a central desk where a nervous young man with thinning red hair tried to deal with three phones that all seemed to be ringing at once. The name plate on his desk read: ALBERT RENQUIST.

“ Excuse me, but could you direct me to Mr . Logan’s office ? The Jiffy Girl Employment Agency sent me.”

The man juggled one phone at his ear while reaching for another , his expression dubious. He ignored her for a long moment while he dealt with the phones and a fax machine that clicked at the end of his desk . She was only too painfully aware of his disapproving scrutiny as she waited. So what if she was ten pounds overweight? Well, okay, fifteen pounds. She was going to start a new diet this very week to see if she could take it off.

Finally , he gave her his attention. “ jiffy Girl sent you?” He sounded incredulous .

She stuck out her chin defiantly. “ I said as much. Is he in?” He blinked, evidently not used to a woman who stood her ground .” No one ever knows wheather Logan’s In or not ; sometimes we go for months without seeing him. Let me check .'' He dailed, and immediately Justine became subservient.

''Renquist here, sir.'' He asked a few overly polite questions, then hung up . '' Mr Logan is expecting you .'' He sneered and gestures towards a gaint pair of walnut doors at the end of the hall. ‘’I’ll buzz you through you don’t look like executive assistant material to me .''

'' Thank you . I’ll tell mr . Logan you said so.'' Angie turned and stride towards the doors.

'' please don’t do that ,'' he called after her. ‘’He’s— he’s a difficult man to work for.””

Angie paused , looking back over her shoulder . The balding twerp seemed reasonable cowed. John Logan must be a real SOB. ''. I won’t tattle on you,''she assured him and stride towards the big walnut doors, seeing her reflection in the gleaming brass and glass of the walls as she walked, more than a little conscious of that extra weight. It had always been a problem, no matter how little she ate. “ if I were only five foot nine,long- legged and gorgeous,” she muttered with a sigh,

''I might have a chance at this job.

But did she really want it? Even more , she regretted her impulse in asking jiffy Girl for this interview. But Angie had been getting desperate. School had barely started and already it didn’t look as if she’d be getting enough substitute teaching jobs to live on. She had to take some drastic steps or she would soon be flat broke.

''Hold that thought ,‘’ she reminded herself , taking a deep breath for courage before she grasped the brass knob and walked through the heavy doors .

She was in a small, richly decorated office with a fine walnut desk and a sweeping view of downtown Oklahoma City. The big doors closing behind her cut off the frantic noises of Bussines and hurrying feet into sudden silence . The office was empty, and Angie realized she was facing another door off to her left that was slightly ajar.from there she could Hear a slight murmur of conversation. Angie bit her lip wondering if she was suooosednto wait here or if she would be given instruction via the telecom.she pulled at her skirt, straightening it,and wondered if she should have dressed in something other than a no-nonsense navy blue dress. At least the dark blue was thinning ,helping to hide her plumpness.

She waited , fidgeting and wishing this interview was over. Talk about a fools errands...

After a long moment, she walked to the door , and knocked gently .''Mr Logan?''

No answer. Inside, she could still hear the slight murmur of conversation. Was he interviewing someone else ,or was he trying to intimidate her by letting her cool her heels in the outer office? Why had she felt almost driven to apply for this job?

Well, she had that interview with the dentist in Moore this afternoon; she’d have a chance there.

Angie took a deep breath and walked in. So his was the office of one of the richest men in the world. In awe, she looked around at the fine antique furnishings , the expensive western paintings in the walls. Somehow, she had a feeling those Remington bronzes on the tables were originals. Priceless Navaho and Persian rugs muffled her footsteps.

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