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She shifted in her seat. “How should we start? Would you like to explain the position I’m going to be in?”
I had barely enough working brain cells to keep from explaining ten different positions I’d like her to assume.
Her face had softened from the distressed, forced smile of a minute ago to something more neutral. She might have overheard my complaints to Jay.
I cleared my throat. “Just a second.”
I buzzed Cindy to come in. I had to get this girl out of here and make a plan, any plan.
I’d meant what I’d told Jay, even before I knew he’d picked this girl to saddle me with. Now my concerns were tripled at least. Working this close to her could, or most likelywould, lead to something that would unravel everything with Melissa.
She was supposed to be an after-Melissa treat, not a fuck-up-the-negotiation indulgence. The plan had always been to pursue her after the Melissa legal skirmish was done.
Cindy opened the door and popped her head in with her usual speed.
“Yes?”
“Jennifer here will be taking over Mark’s position. Would you please get her situated in the office?”
“Sure thing,” Cindy responded with a smile. “Jennifer you said?” She extended her hand.
Jennifer stood and greeted Cindy. “Yes, Jennifer Hanley from downstairs in finance.”
“Oh,” I added. “Get her the Talbot paperwork. Jennifer, get up to speed on them for the two o’clock meeting.”
“Of course,” Jennifer responded as they left, and Cindy thankfully closed the door.
I’d made the decision to send her back to Jay’s floor the moment I laid eyes on her. He needed to be taught a lesson about messing with me this way, but to make it sink in, she had to help me by screwing up in a documented fashion.
* * *
Jennifer
Although he’d actedas if he didn’t know me, a hint of recognition had flashed across Dennis Benson’s face when we met. What were the chances that he knew me and what I was up to? Could this be a scheme to fire me and later paint me as a disgruntled former employee? My mind raced a thousand miles a minute.
Cindy led the way. “Don’t let his gruff exterior scare you. He’s a softie underneath.”
Easy for her to say. He hadn’t ruined her life.
I followed, checking my hand for all five fingers. I’d survived my first encounter with him.
“I’m sure he keeps plenty of things hidden,” I said, attempting a light tone. “How long have you worked for him?”
She stopped at the final office door on the row. “Long enough to know where the bodies are buried.”
“You’ll have to tell me some day.”
She smiled. “We should do lunch soon.”
She didn’t realize how literally I meant what I’d said.
She handed me a key. “The key to this office. I hope you find it comfortable, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy working for Dennis.”
That last part I couldn’t agree with.
I used the key and opened the dark wooden door. My mouth must have dropped. It was smaller than Benson’s office—or rather Dennis’s—but not by a lot. It was easily as large as Fisher’s, and he was the CFO, for Christ’s sake.
“Are you sure this is the one?” I asked.
