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"Fire in the hole!"
WHOOOMPH!
Lauren Thompson watched with satisfaction as the two tapered smokestacks suddenly curtsied and bowed like 18
th
Century dancing partners, collapsing into a billowing cloud of dust. She rose from her crouch behind the wall of sandbags, turned off the bullhorn and walked back to the operations trailer to review the remote camera videotapes. If all the explosive charges had detonated, then it would be safe for the crews to move in and begin picking up the rubble. If not, they would have to be isolated and removed.
Upon entering, she saw her father rewinding the tapes and checking the monitors, whirring about in his motorized wheelchair. Ever since his accident three years ago, Lauren had been in charge of all field operations while he handled less strenuous duties. She had been a twenty-six year old newly graduated structural engineer from MIT when her father's injury occurred. It was a routine demolition job, but something went wrong and a falling girder crushed his spine. Lauren assumed control of Keystone Demolition Company during her father's convalescence and never looked back.
"How'd it look, Dad?" she asked, removing her hardhat and safety glasses. She shook the dust from her long black hair.
"Perfect, Laur, perfect," he replied with a smile. "All the charges went off in the proper sequence. Send the crews in."
Lauren flicked the toggle on her two-way radio, "Charlie, you there?"
"Sure am, boss lady," came the reply.
"Move 'em out, Charlie. We need to wrap this one up ASAP."
"Gotcha, boss lady, we're rollin', Charlie out."
Lauren chuckled as she heard the roar of diesel engines echoing across the demolition site. Charlie was the senior supervisor for debris removal, and twenty years her senior. He still referred to her as 'boss lady' and was always deferential to her. Lauren had always treated her fathers' employees with respect when she was growing up and now they were returning the courtesy.
"Great news, Laur," her father said, "Councilman Kennelly's office called today. The City Council accepted our bid on demolishing that block of buildings downtown. They were impressed with your presentation at the Council meeting last week. You did a fine job, Laur, I'm proud of you."
Lauren bent and kissed her father on the forehead. "It wasn't just me, Dad. The whole crew put that one over. I was just the mouthpiece," she replied modestly.
"That's a load of bull and you know it," her father laughed. "Oh by the way, the Councilman wants you to attend a little cocktail party he's throwing at his place tonight. Seems he's celebrating the start of the demolition project and he wanted you there to congratulate on being selected for the contract."
"Oh crap, a freakin' cocktail party, Dad?" Lauren groaned. "I hate parties, you know that. A bunch of silly, drunken people making conversation about nothing, I'll be bored stiff."
"Goes with the territory, Laur," her father replied. "Buy yourself a new dress, pretty yourself up for the Council Member. Lay a little charm on him. It's good for business."
"Whatever," Lauren snorted, "I'm outta here. See you later, Dad. Don't wait up." Exiting the trailer, she climbed into her jeep and sped off to the mall to look for a dress. She preferred wearing jeans and a t-shirt, but business was business.
***
Cassandra Barton drove her Rolls-Royce Corniche convertible into the only vacant parking place in the circular driveway. She wrinkled her nose at the sight of a mud-splattered jeep next to her. "Some people don't know how to take care of their machinery, do they, Erminitrude?" she addressed her car. "I would never let you get that dirty, my girl," she continued, patting the steering wheel affectionately.
Cassandra did not want to be at this dreary party, but as chair of the Clear Lake City Historic Preservation Commission, she felt obligated to attend. After all, this man was instrumental in getting the city block condemned where her great-grandfathers first store opened. In spite of her best efforts, the building along with the rest of the block was condemned and slated for demolition.
Maybe I can finally make the Councilman see reason
, she thought as she locked the car door and walked towards the house.
***
Lauren was bored and miserable as she stood looking out the open French doors into the garden, hoping to avoid another senseless conversation.
Ten more minutes and I'm out of here
, she thought grimly. She had made nice with Council Member Kennelly, oh yeah, 'Jack', and now she was ready to leave before any more of these vapid people struck up a conversation with her. "Dad owes me big time for this one," she muttered under her breath, gazing absently at the full moon.
***
Cassandra walked into the spacious living room and slowly surveyed the groups of people there. She did not recognize anyone, which did not surprise her. No one she knew would attend such a gathering unless forced. Taking a glass of wine from a passing waiter, her attention focused on a statuesque woman with long black hair looking out an open door into the night.