Blake's Bad Day

by Michael Allan Mallory

About the Author: Michael Allan Mallory is a two-time Silver Falchion Award finalist, most recently for his novel The Lost Dragon Murder, which MWA Grandmaster Ellen Hart called “a perfect story to curl up with on a winter’s night.” Michael is also the co-author of the Snake Jones mysteries, which feature mystery’s first zoologist sleuth, Lavender “Snake” Jones. Michael’s short fiction has appeared in numerous crime anthologies and publications.

Excerpt

Life was pretty sweet for Blake Ritchie. Great job. Great boss. Great prairie-style house in an upscale neighborhood. Then nine o’clock Tuesday morning came.

First sign he was in deep shit was his boss’s face. Aimee Hickok was as easy as they came, a CEO who excelled at guiding her staff with a light touch and a ready smile. Her meetings always started with a welcoming smile to put everyone at ease.

Always.

Except today.

There wasn’t a smidge of good cheer in her soft oval face. Rather the opposite. Beneath the stark white bangs, decisive hazel eyes sent a clear message to listen up.

“This won’t be fun,” she warned.

Blake sat up, all attention. This was a one-on-one meeting with the door closed. Another bad sign.

“Our financials suck,” Aimee began in an icy voice. “I’ve been going over the numbers again, and they’re depressing. As you know, this is our third consecutive quarter with declining sales.”

He did know. As Chief Financial Officer, it was Blake who had recently dropped that disappointing nugget on her. “The economic downturn,” he offered by way of explanation. Even to him it sounded lame.

“I get that, but we can’t use it as an excuse. Prospects for the next two quarters don’t look any better.”

Blake swallowed hard. Wherever this conversation was headed, he had a bad feeling he wasn’t going to like it.

Story Comments