August 2009, I fly into Chicago. It is a magic night. I check into the hotel and go straight to the bar hoping to see Karla. Karla is the magnificent wine buyer for the Omni. She had gone home for the night so I ordered a glass of Vinas 3 and then headed to my room. Deerkiller will be waiting for me in the morning at 7:00.
I never intended on hiring Deerkiller. We had decided to hire Fern. Craig and I had been interviewing candidates that he had screened on an earlier visit. Interviewing Deerkiller was more of a formality. But, there was something about her that stuck with me long past her interview. It was nothing she did or tried to do. It was something else. I had this feeling that someday she was going to be great.
The day was starting out typical. Deerkiller was explaining very clearly to the cab driver that he would take a credit card or not get paid. I walked back to the cab to give the guy cash so I could make my plane. She waved me off. He is going to take this card or he is not going to like what is coming next. He took the card. Deerkiller is only about 5’1” and 100 pounds soaking wet.
But, she is tough. I think of Seabiscuit. Gentleman I may be small but I am mighty.
We didn’t sit together on the plane. We flew into Kentucky first. Kentucky is green and full of trees. That is all I saw of it.
Looking back I am convinced Officer McFadden’s brother drove our airport shuttle car. It only took him an hour to circle the airport. The woman at the car counter pointed as Deerkiller. “It is you,” she said nervously. “I recognize you.” Deerkiller ignored her.
"I want a silver convertible for this trip, she said."
"We only have one convertible and it is new.”
Deerkiller cocked her head slightly to the right. She reached back and twisted her long hair into a wild crazed knot on the top of her head. “Keys please,” she said. I could see the deer journalist now bent over his typewriter. Death came to our community today on four wheels without a top,” he writes.
I never knew that the company had rental car insurance before Deerkiller got her first deer. She is a natural. They have no chance. She never misses. “Don’t worry about it,” said Nick my insurance agent. “We got you covered.”