A Bargain with the Boss

by Barbara Dunlop

  “I believe so. I mean, I called when you asked me to. But I got his voice mail.”

  “Did you try his assistant?”

  Sandy paused. “I’ll do that now.”

  “Great.” Just great. Tuck couldn’t even get his operations director into his office when they only worked three floors apart.

  He came to his feet. “Never mind.”

  She looked puzzled. “You don’t want Lucas?”

  “I’ll go down.”

  “I can—”

  “I’ll find him.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  Tuck relaxed his expression. “Don’t worry about it.”

  There was no point in being annoyed with Sandy because she wasn’t Amber. Only Amber was Amber, and she was ridiculously good at her job.

  He went to the elevator and rode down to twenty-nine. The hallway on that floor was linoleum rather than carpet. The offices were smaller than on the executive floor, and there was far more activity. It was the nerve center of the company, where every company conveyance was tracked on a series of wall-mounted screens, with information on every single shipment available with a few keystrokes. Tuck had come to like it here.

  Lucas’s office was at the far end of the hallway. It was large but utilitarian, its numerous tables cluttered with maps and reports, keyboards and screens. Tuck knew Lucas had a desk in there somewhere, but he wasn’t sure the man ever sat down.

  “Hey, boss,” Lucas greeted from behind a table.

  One of his female staff members was working beside him, clicking keys and watching a set of three monitors.

  “The Red Earth is back on schedule,” the woman said without looking up. “They’ll make their 6:00 a.m. port time.”

  “Good,” said Lucas. “Need me?” he asked Tuck.

  “You didn’t get Sandy’s voice mail?”

  Lucas glanced guiltily at his desk phone. “We’ve been slammed this morning.”

  “Not a problem,” said Tuck. “Got a minute?”

  “Absolutely. Gwen, can you make sure we get the fuel agreement signatures sent? We have until close of business in Berlin.”

  “Will do,” said Gwen, again without looking up.

  Lucas led the way out of his office, turning immediately into a small meeting room along the hall.

  “What’s up?” he asked Tuck, closing the door behind them.

  “I feel as if we should sit down for this,” said Tuck.

  “Bad news?” Lucas crossed his arms over his chest. “Are you firing me?”

  Tuck scoffed out a laugh at the absurdity of the statement. “I’m promoting you.”

  “Yeah, right.” Lucas waited, alert.

  “I’m serious,” said Tuck.

  “Serious about what?”

  “I’m promoting you.”

  It took Lucas a beat to answer. “Why? To what? There’s nothing above director.”

  “Nothing in operations,” said Tuck.

  “Right,” said Lucas, as if he’d just proved his point.

  “Vice president,” said Tuck.

  “Are you running a fever?”

  “I need you upstairs.”

  “I’m no vice president.” Lucas gave an exaggerated shudder.

  “You think I am?”

  “Yes.”

  Tuck pressed his lips together. “Only because they gave me the title.”

  “You’re nuts.”

  “I’m serious.”

  “Okay.” Lucas braced his feet slightly apart. “Vice president of what?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “I can see you’ve really thought this through.”

  “Executive vice president.”

  “That’s your title.”

  “I’m acting president.”

  Lucas’s arms moved to his sides. “I suppose you are.”

  “I’m drownin’ up there. Dixon’s completely dropped off the planet, and Dad’s recovery is pushed back. I know it’s not your first choice, but what am I supposed to do?”

  “Hire someone.”

  “I’m hiring you.”

  “Hire someone else.”

  “I will. For your job.”

  “You don’t need to hire anyone for my job. Gwen can do it. She can probably do it better than me.”

  Tuck didn’t feel any need to respond to the statement. Lucas had just made the next argument for him.

  “Yeah, yeah,” said Lucas. “I know what you’re thinking.”

  “What am I thinking?” Tuck asked.

  “That you can pick me up and plunk me into some fancy office, and the operations department won’t even notice I’m gone.”

  Tuck fought a smirk. “Your words, not mine.”

  “They’re true.”

  “That’s good.”

  “I wouldn’t have the first idea of what to do upstairs,” said Lucas.

  “And you think I do?”

  “You’re a Tucker.”

  “You’re the last one left,” said Tuck.

  “The last one of what?”

  “The last director. The others quit.”

  “Not Oscar?”

  “Yesterday. The rumor mill now has Dixon pegged as an embezzler who will bring down the company, and the headhunters are out in force.”

  Lucas frowned. “There’s no chance he actually...?”

  Tuck was astonished. “You, too?”

  “No. Not really. What would be his motivation? Plus, you’d have noticed the missing millions by now and reported it. Law enforcement would be crawling all over this place.”

  Tuck couldn’t help but admire Lucas’s combination of faith and hard, cold analysis. “He has no motivation. And he didn’t do anything illegal.”

  “I gotta agree,” said Lucas.

  “Doesn’t mean I won’t knock his block off.”

  Lucas pulled out a molded plastic chair and sat down at the rectangular meeting table.

  Tuck took the seat across from him.

  “You’re serious,” said Lucas.

  “Completely. While Amber was here, it was doable, marginal but doable. Without her, I can’t keep it going. We’ve lost three major accounts since Zachary left.”

  “You think he’s poaching them.”

  “I know he’s poaching them. What I don’t know is how to make it stop. I mean, maybe I can make it stop, if I can find the time to make some calls and build up some relationships. But I don’t even have time to breathe. I need Dixon, and I need him now.”

  “I thought Jackson was looking.”

  “He hit a dead end. It’s dead end number eight, I think.”

  “Hire another investigative firm.”

  “There’s nobody better than Jackson. If only—”

  Tuck’s thoughts went back to Amber. Usually, when he thought about her, it was about their kisses, particularly that last kiss. A woman didn’t kiss like that, especially not in the middle of a fight, if she didn’t have a thing for the man. Amber had to be attracted to him on some level, and the knowledge made his skin itch.

  “If only what?” asked Lucas.

  “She knows something. She can get Dixon back for me.”

  “Who?”

  “Amber.”

  Lucas pulled back in his chair, a speculative expression coming over his face.

  “Not like that,” said Tuck. “Not at all like that. She was his confidential assistant and he confided in her.”

  “What did he tell her?”

  “She’s not talking. I ordered her. Then I fired her. But she’s not talking.”

  “Bribe?” asked Lucas.

  “She just gave up her job over integrity.”
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  “Blackmail, then?”

  “With what? She’s as straight up as they come. The only thing outrageous about her is her shoes.”

  “Her shoes?”

  “You’ve never noticed?”

  Lucas shook his head. “Can’t say that I have.”

  “I don’t see how I blackmail her over red glitter stilettoes.” Though Tuck would love to have pictures of them.

  “Can’t believe I missed that.”

  Tuck forced his mind back to the job. “Will you do it?”

  Lucas curled his fingertips against the table. “Temporarily.”

  Tuck felt a rush of relief. “I hope that’s all I’ll need. Even together, we can’t replace Dixon.”

  “No, we can’t.”

  “I’m going to find him.”

  “You should definitely bribe her.”

  “She’ll never go for it.”

  “You don’t know that until you ask.”

  “Yes, I do.”

  If Amber was willing to trade ethics for money, she’d never have let him fire her.

  * * *

  Amber sat down at her kitchen table, taking up where she’d left off scrolling through an employment website. Jade was across from her, writing her way through a practice math exam. The coffeepot was between them and their breakfast dishes were piled in the sink.

  Jade had offered to clean up later while Amber made the rounds of some more major companies in the city. Surprisingly, after three weeks in Chicago, Jade was still following her new life plan. She was rising every morning with her alarm, eating healthy and studying for the GED test she hoped to pass before the baby was born.

  By contrast, Amber’s new life plan was completely falling apart. She’d applied for dozens of jobs, had landed only three interviews and had so far been beaten by other candidates on two of them. Every morning, she told herself not to lose hope. But she’d already dipped into her savings to make the month’s mortgage payment. Other bills were coming due, including Jade’s appointments at the community clinic.

  “You look nice today,” said Jade. “Very professional.” She nodded approvingly at Amber’s blazer and skirt.

  “Focus on the test,” said Amber.

  “I bet you get an offer.”

  “That would be nice.” Amber wasn’t going to let Jade see her worry.

  “Ooh.” Jade’s hand went to her stomach. “That was a good one.”

  “I bet it’s a boy,” said Amber. She copied and pasted a promising-looking job ad into her open spreadsheet.

  “Girl,” said Jade. “But a soccer player.”

  “Boy,” said Amber. “A placekicker for the Bears. Big money in that.”

  “You think we’ll need Junior’s money?”

  Amber was beginning to think they’d need it before Junior even started preschool.

  “I doubt we will,” said Jade. “We’re both going to get jobs—good jobs, high-powered jobs. We’ll get promoted up the ladder and make fortunes.”

  Amber couldn’t help but smile. She liked it when Jade was optimistic. “Dreamer.”

  “I am,” said Jade. “For the first time in my— Ouch. I think that one went through the uprights.”

  The phone rang. Amber couldn’t control the lurch of anticipation that hit her stomach. It could be another interview, or possibly a job offer from Pine Square Furniture. Please, let it be a job offer. Pine Square Furniture paid quite a bit less than what she’d made at Tucker Transportation, but she’d jump at anything right now.

  As Amber started to rise, Jade leaned back and lifted the receiver.

  “Hello?”

  Amber held her breath.

  “Oh, hi, Dr. Norris.”

  Amber’s disappointment was acute. She turned to hide her expression from Jade, rising and pretending to check the printer for paper.

  “Okay,” Jade said into the phone.

  Amber reminded herself these things took time. She could make it a few more weeks, even a couple of months. She hadn’t really expected to find a job the next day, had she?

  “Which test?” There was worry in Jade’s tone.

  Amber turned back.

  “Is that a problem?” Jade’s worried gaze met Amber’s.

  Amber quickly returned to the table, sitting down in the chair beside Jade.

  “That sounds scary,” said Jade.

  “What is it?” Amber whispered.

  Jade’s eyes went glassy with the beginnings of tears.

  “What?” Amber said louder. “What’s wrong?”

  Jade unexpectedly pushed the receiver at her, nearly dropping it between them.

  Amber scrambled to get it to her ear. “Dr. Norris? This is Amber.”

  “Hello, Amber. Is Jade all right?”

  “She’s upset. She’s okay. What did you tell her?”

  “I have a concern with her blood pressure.”

  Amber had known that. “Yes.”

  They’d talked about Jade taking some medication to keep it down in the last few weeks of her pregnancy.

  “I’m afraid the follow-up tests aren’t encouraging.”

  Amber rubbed Jade’s shoulder. “Is everything okay with the baby?”

  “So far, yes. Jade has a condition called preeclampsia. It’s serious. I’m recommending you bring her into the hospital.”

  The hospital? “How serious?”

  Jade sniffed and reached for a tissue.

  “I’d like to monitor Jade’s health and the baby’s health.”

  “Overnight? Until the medication kicks in?”

  “Until the birth, I’m afraid. We can’t take this condition lightly. There are risks to the placenta, organ damage for Jade, even stroke.”

  Amber squeezed Jade’s hand. “How soon should I bring her in?”

  “Is she still having headaches?”

  Amber moved the phone from her mouth. “Headache?” she asked Jade.

  “It’s not bad,” said Jade.

  “Yes,” Amber said to the doctor.

  “Then, let’s not wait. This morning if you can.”

  “We can,” said Amber.

  “My office will make the arrangements.”

  “Thank you.” Amber ended the call.

  “So I have to go back?” asked Jade.

  “Yes. The doctor says they need to monitor you. She wants you in the hospital.”

  “The hospital?”

  “She’s worried about your blood pressure.”

  “But they said there was medicine.”

  “We can ask more questions when we get there.” Amber couldn’t help feeling a sense of urgency.

  “How long will I have to stay?”

  “It might be for a while. We don’t want to take any chances. This is what’s best for you, and what’s best for the baby.” Amber stood. “Let’s go pack a few things.”

  Jade gestured to her books. “But I’m studying.”

  “I’ll bet you can study in the hospital. In fact, it might be the perfect place to study. There’ll be nothing else for you to do. They’ll cook for you. They’ll clean for you.”

  “Hospital food?”

  “I’ll smuggle you in a pizza.”

  Assuming Jade was allowed to eat pizza. Amber drew Jade to her feet.

  “I can’t do this,” said Jade. “I can’t just up and leave for the hospital at a moment’s notice.”

  “Sometimes it works that way.”

  Jade glanced around the kitchen. “How can I, what can I— Oh, no.” She grasped tightly onto Amber’s arms.

  Amber’s heart leaped. “Is something wrong?”

  “The money.”

  “What money?”
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  “The money, Amber. This is going to cost a fortune. Where will I get the money?”

  “Don’t worry about that.”

  “I have to worry about it.”

  “Worrying won’t help anything. Not you, and definitely not the baby.” Amber would have to do the worrying for them.

  “But—”

  “We’ll borrow it. Then we’ll pay it back.” Amber struggled to put confidence in her voice.

  “I’m so sorry.”

  “This isn’t your fault. You’re doing so well.” Amber motioned to the books. “You’ve been studying. You’ve been eating right. You’re here. You need to keep doing everything you can to give your baby the best possible chance.”

  “I’m scared.” But Jade started to move.

  “I know. I’m not saying it isn’t unsettling. But it’s going to be fine. Everything is going to be fine.”

  Amber would get Jade to the hospital, and then she’d talk to her bank. She had some equity in her town house and a decent credit rating. Once she found a job, she would qualify for a loan. So she’d find a job. She’d find one fast. She’d flip burgers if that was what it took.

  Six

  Tuck knew a losing hand when he was dealt one. But he also knew he couldn’t walk away from this. For better or worse, and so far it was definitely worse, the company was his responsibility.

  It was Saturday afternoon and he’d parked down the block from Amber’s town house, waiting for her car to appear. The block was neat and bright, lawns trimmed, gardens tended, with kids playing in the park and people walking their dogs. The homes were compact, four to a building, with very little traffic passing on the street out front.

  He figured he’d have the best chance if he tried to reason with her in person. It was too easy for her to hang up a phone. And he doubted she’d answer a text or email. Plus, her expression might help him, give him a signal as to which tactic might sway her and which was a nonstarter.

  He knew it wasn’t about self-interest for her. And he couldn’t imagine she’d have one iota of sympathy for him. But maybe she’d care about the other employees. Maybe she would care that the demise of Tucker Transportation would be job losses and financial ruin for the families of her former coworkers. The way he saw it, that was his best hope.

  He spotted her silver hatchback pull up in front of the town house, and he quickly exited his sports car. While she hopped from the driver’s seat he approached from the side.