THE OVERCOMER


By Tessa Harvey



CHAPTER FIVE


Sam Cowan did not take this threat lightly. Summoning his most trusted able-bodied employees, he asked them if they would work as guards at night in and around the factory and he swore them to secrecy. They well understood that if they talked about their work, any would-be assailant would be fore-warned.

For several weeks nothing happened. There were just the odd cat fights and sometimes a prowler, but one who did nothing.

Remembering how long Kirby had tormented him, Sam kept paying his workers, warning them also to be careful not to let themselves be at risk.

One day he received a phone call very late at night. An excited, breathless worker gasped that his friend had been attacked from behind, but no one had seen his assailant. Disturbed, Sam searched the area with the other men while another took the injured man to a nearby doctor working late.

Sam could find no motive for the attack until they found some petrol cans stuffed into some bushes nearby. All he could do was to inform the police and they would also do hourly checks around the premises.

At work next day, his receptionist, Stella Newby noticed he was tired and asked if she could do anything extra. Sam smiled at Stella. She was a pretty, blue-eyed brunette. On an impulse he asked her out for lunch.

it went well and they conversed easily. Stella liked her dark-eyed, dark haired boss and had for some time. She lived with her mother to help with her care as Rosalie suffered from severe asthma. Stella's father had left Rosalie years ago for another woman.

The two women got on well. Sam asked Stella out for lunch a week later. She had noticed some of the male workers were receiving more money and asked him about it. Sam hesitated and then told her they were doing extra work for him.

Experience had taught him to be cautious, even though he liked the young woman very much.

Rosalie noticed the extra sparkle in her daughter's eyes and teased her about it! Stella told her and her mum just urged wisdom, but was also pleased for her.








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