Stewart was at a loss for words. "Yes, we had ns," he thought, "but that was before you showed up. Obviously, I''ve changed my mind."


    He forced augh. "Something came upst minute. My apologies, Mr. Henderson."


    Thorne smiled back but didn''t press the issue. He stood up. "Alright, next time then." After shaking Stewart''s hand, he extended his to Charlene. She hesitated for a moment before taking it, saying coolly, "Take care."


    Thorne nodded, nced at Gaylord, and then left PrimeStar with Coy.


    For the next two days, the coboration required Charlene and Gaylord to be at The Henderson Group. On both mornings, Thorne would drop by their meetings and sit in for a while, though he never stayed for more than half an hour. By now, Mr. Windsor and the others were almost certain that Thorne had developed feelings for Charlene.


    Gaylord rarely visited The Henderson Group. He''d heard that Thorne sometimes sat in on Charlene''s meetings, but knowing Thorne had a background in Al, he just assumed he was interested in the project details and didn''t think much of it.


    That day, around noon, Vesta arrived at The Henderson Group again, but Thorne was nowhere to be seen. She did, however, run into Coy.


    Coy paused when he saw her and walked over. "Ms. Hawkins, are you here for Mr. Henderson?"


    Vesta smiled. "Yes. Is Thorne around?"


    "Mr. Henderson is... downstairs," Coy replied.


    He didn''t specify where, but Vesta had a good idea. Her smile remained fixed. "I see... In that case, I''ll wait for him in his office."


    "Of course," Coy said. Vesta went


    into Thorne''s office, and Coy


    brought her a coffee. As it neared twelve-thirty and Thorne still hadn''t appeared, a thought seemed to Strike Coy, and he headed


    downstairs. When he got there, he found that Thorne, Charlene, and Mr. Windsor''s team were all gone. He asked someone, "Where is Mr. Henderson?"


    "He went to lunch with Mr. Windsor''s team," came the reply.


    Coy was silent for a moment before it registered. He went back upstairs. "I''m sorry, Ms. Hawkins. I just checked and found out Mr. Henderson had to step out."


    Vesta''s hand faltered for a second before she smiled and stood up. It''s alright.dlle back another time." She picked up her bag and turned to leave. Watching her go; Coy couldn''t help but call out, "Wait."


    Vesta turned back, smiling. "Yes? Is there something else?"


    Coy understood the meaning behind Thorne''s recent change in attitude toward Charlene. And while he


    wasn''t privy to every detail, he knew Thorne and Vesta had been seeing each other far less frequently He wasn''t sure of their current status, but seeing the flicker of S disappointment on Vesta''s face, he knew she was aware of the shift.


    He wanted to say something, but he worked for Thorne and couldn''t speak on such


    matters without permission, so he remained silent.