Chapter 13
Ashley waited until the room was empty before leaning back in his chair with a heavy sigh. His job was always hard. That’s why he liked it. It was supposed to be challenging. It was supposed to tax him. It was supposed to make him test his endurance to the breaking point, and then push him just a bit beyond that, because that’s when he did his best work. But it wasn’t supposed to be dull. And the meeting had been dull…and long…and dull. His mind kept drifting to other matters. It would snap back to business every time his gaze fell on Bryan’s somber face.
A small sound near the door alerted him to the fact that he wasn’t alone. He lifted his head and wasn’t entirely surprised to see Bryan standing there. His shoulders were slumped, and he still looked very serious. His eyes we
