I stopped by my office to grab some notes I had written up for the meeting and then went to the conference room.I entered the room and the rumblings a...d whispers ceased almost instantly. All eyes were on me and I could feel them burning holes in me as I walked up to the front of the room. I was used to this feeling–it is an occupational hazard when you do what I do for a living. I understood their distrust and misgivings of this Yankee from New York. They were afraid for their jobs. I got it.. "We just don't trust him to keep a secret".I said, "I see. Thank you for your insight. Good job"."Now on to the matters he has made us aware of. Do we believe him?" Yes", was the simultaneous answer from all of the ladies. I, no doubt, had showed my confusion, because Jackie spoke up immediately."Sir we don't trust him with our secrets, but he is not a liar. He just can't keep a secret. Even he knows it. We like him. He is a 'safe' man to be around and there are not that many on Jewel. He can. Mr. French noticed, for sure. Rising, he speared me with a look, "Let's go start the grill."I knew when I was being summoned; I swigged the remains of my Bloody Mary (coughing on some pepper that had dropped to the bottom of the glass) and followed him outside.He made a production of squatting to check the gas tank connections and turning on the valve, then punching the igniter as he turned on each of the burners -- then he turned to me. "You want to tell me what magic spell you just cast over. It almost seemed that she was oblivious to his presence. With his forearms flush down upon the desk straddling the papers Archibald scanned them one by one before signing where indicated. When he was done he simply thanked the woman and handed them back to her. In turning to leave the office she walked by Kim who was still standing on the little foot stool bent over with his forearms on the desk. She paused by his side and tucked the papers under her arm before taking hold of the kid’s.