* * *
The next morning Elaine intended to arrive at the office early to avoid the gauntlet of staring eyes, but it didn't happen. As usual, she arrived with two minutes to spare. She knew that Clyde would be laying for her and looking for any excuse to get rid of her. As she passed Shirley's desk she noticed that she hadn't arrived yet and Clyde's office was dark. She continued to her own desk.
A strained heavy silence lingered in the air the next morning. She tried to concentrate on her workload without any luck. Wayne arrived around 9:30 after a late night meeting with a client the night before.
"I have to go to the Tampa office. I came in to pick up a couple things. I expect to be back in the office tomorrow."
"You're leaving me here by myself with the wolves?" Elaine inquired with sarcasm.
"From your own description, I would say you can take care of yourself quite well. You'll be fine."
She didn't like taking medicine, but considered taking another Valium. Her stomach was giving her fits and she found it hard to concentrate. Her mind wandered all over the place. Finally, she gave in, popped a Valium, and continued her work. It wasn't until late in the afternoon that she first got the news. Lonny called her to let her know that Shirley was in the hospital. The police arrested her husband after he beat her to the point she had a broken arm, several cracked ribs and a concussion from a blow to the head. He didn't know any more than that. That information was public knowledge. He didn't have anything on Clyde yet.
The Cat's Dowry and Other Short Stories Page 13
