Sweet Fortune

Elizabeth explained.
    “Well, the project's bound to bomb next to yours,” Jessie declared. “You're going to knock the socks off the judges with your chemical analysis of a toxic-waste dump, isn't she, Dad?”
    “Right,” Vincent agreed readily. Then he scowled at Elizabeth. “I just hope you're not going to turn into one of those radical environmentalists.”
    “Ecologist, Dad, not environmentalist,” Jessie said quickly. “And Elizabeth hasn't decided which scientific career she wants to pursue yet, have you, Elizabeth?”
    “No I'm still making up my mind.” Elizabeth concentrated on her pizza.
    “No rush, I guess. Just don't take as long to make up your mind about a career as Jessie's taking,” Vincent muttered. “What's the difference between an ecologist and an environmentalist, anyway?”
    Elizabeth assumed a serious, pontificating tone. “Ecology is the science of studying the environment. Environmentalism is the social and political movement that causes all the headlines.”
    “I wonder if Edwin Bright is a genuine ecologist turned con man,” Jessie mused, “or just an opportunist.”
    “I don't see that it matters,” Hatch said flatly. “Either way, you don't have any business getting involved.”
    “But that's just it.” Jessie's smile was radiant. “This is business. I'm working for a living. I should think everyone would be pleased. Just think, I'm actually holding down a job for longer than one month.”
    “Save me,” Vincent growled.
    Jessie turned to Elizabeth. “I'll tell you something, kid, you definitely deserve first place, and if for some reason Eric Jerkface actually wins, we'll all know it was because he was the teacher's pet and got by on his looks and charm alone.”
    Hatch reached for the last slice of pizza. “You haven't even seen Jerkface's project.”
    “Doesn't matter. Elizabeth's is tons better.”
    Hatch smiled slightly. “I get the impression that once you choose a side, you stick to it, come hell or high water. Is that right, Jessie?”
    “Jessie is nothing if not loyal.” Vincent eyed his eldest daughter with a severe glare. “Sometimes to a fault.”
    “I don't see it as a fault,” Hatch said. “I've always considered loyalty an extremely valuable commodity.”
    “Just another business commodity you can buy or sell, right, Hatch?” Jessie inquired coolly.
    Hatch deliberately wrapped his fingers around his glass of water. It was better than wrapping them around Jessie's throat, he told himself philosophically.

    Half an hour later Vincent stalked back into his office and threw himself down into the big leather chair behind the desk. He leveled a blunt finger at Hatch.
    “This problem with Jessie,” Vincent announced, “is all your fault.”
    “My fault?”
    “Damn right. If you hadn't fired her when you first came on board, she'd still be working here at Benedict Fasteners instead of running around investigating weirdo cults.”
    “Come off it, Vincent. You were so grateful to me the day I fired her that you bought me a drink, remember? She was a loose cannon here at Benedict. Hell, she was wreaking havoc downstairs in personnel. If she'd stayed, your whole organization would have been in a shambles by now.”
    “It wasn't that bad.”
    “Oh, yes it was,” Hatch shot back. “The department heads were up in arms. The word was out. Want a few extra days of sick leave? See Jessie in personnel and give her a good sob story. She'll arrange things. Want a long weekend? See Jessie in personnel and tell her your grandmother died again. Jessie will fix things up for you. Think you got overlooked for promotion because your boss secretly hates your guts? See Jessie in personnel. She'll be on your side.”
    Vincent winced. “Damn. It was getting out of hand, wasn't it?”
    “Yeah. And nobody dared call her to heel because she was the boss's daughter. How long do you think that could have gone on before every last shred of corporate discipline disintegrated, Benedict?”
    Vincent held up his hand. “You're right. She was a loose cannon around here. But that doesn't change the fact that if she were still working here at Benedict she wouldn't be dealing with cults.”
    Hatch went to the window and stood thinking quietly for a few minutes. “Maybe you're panicking over nothing.”
    “I am not panicking. I am seriously concerned. And what's this ‘me’ business? You're just as panicked as I am. I saw the way your jaw dropped when she exploded