“David,” his mother grabbed his attention, tearing his thoughts away from his remorsefulness. “When are you going to bring your girl over. I’d love to meet her.”
“Uh, right now she’ll be working after-hours to get adjusted to her new job. But soon Mom, I promise.”
His mother reached and patted his hand. “I’m looking forward to meeting her. She sounds so wonderful.”
David’s mom was under the impression he and Paige were in a serious relationship. And rightfully so, because many a night he left his mother’s humble abode to go watch Paige’s apartment. Sometimes he could see her through her kitchen window. Other times she went out with Amy, and he would follow her from a distance. Sometimes, he watched her purchase groceries, hiding between the aisles to catch glimpses of her. He followed her all the time and to many places. But since the harrowing night of the stairwell incident, David hadn’t followed Paige anywhere … but he wanted to.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
I was the first to arrive at work the next day. The office remained in disarray with boxes, empty folders and documents strewn all over the center table. Pushing past it, I opened the door to my office and crossed to my desk. Taking a seat and rolling it closer, I powered-up the computer and began sorting through a pile of loose paperwork.
Through the glass pane separating me from the others, I caught glimpses of each employee as they, one-by-one, entered and began working. More than once I received hateful glances in my direction, all of which I ignored. After all, how lame would it be to tell them to stop looking at me that way?
A good forty-five minutes late, Carter made his entrance, giving me a little wave and a smirky-smile. He was openly pushing his limits, making my blood curdle. I would confront him, but not while I was so angry. Instead, I powered through one of the boxes and reached for another. As I plopped it on my desk, I heard a loud holler.
“You’re what! You’re pregnant!” Carter bellowed at the top of his voice, rising to his full six-three height. “You’d better be lying!” he screamed at Penny.
“I’m not,” I heard Penny’s meek voice through my opened door.
“Get rid of it,” Carter yelled, pounding his fist on the table.
“I will not,” Penny barked back. “This baby is a blessing.”
Lisa came alive, getting to her feet and positioning herself next to her man. “You did this on purpose. You only think he’ll marry you because he knocked you up. You bitch.”
Penny stood too, but she looked frail and willowy next to Carter’s towering frame. “I would never. How dare you accuse me. It was an accident … but a blessing in disguise.”
Lisa came at Penny, ratcheting her hands around Penny’s throat. “I’m going to kill you.”
Within seconds, I was out of my office and pulling Lisa off Penny. David was helping me to separate the two of them while the others stood by with their mouths gaped open. “Ladies, please. This is not the time or place,” I cautioned them.
Lisa backed off, her face a brilliant red while Penny looked pale and shaken. “Lisa, in my office … now!” I ordered in my most authoritative tone.
Directing her to follow me, I led her inside and gestured for her to have a seat while I closed my door. The others were glaring at us through the panes of glass so I lowered the blinds, watching their faces fill with disappointment when the last blind touched the windowsill and they could no longer see inside.
Taking a seat behind my desk, I watched Lisa as she wrung her hands together. “You just attacked a pregnant woman. What on earth were you thinking?” I began.
She forced herself to look at me. “I … I don’t know.” She paused for a moment, seemingly gathering her strength. “She can’t be pregnant. Carter always uses protection. She must be lying. This has to be a ploy to get him back.” Her face pinched together. “What a conniving bitch she is. She just couldn’t stand it when Carter chose me over her.”
“Lisa, surely you must realize Carter wasn’t serious about Penny, and now he’s only stringing you along. We all know Carter is a player. He’s never been serious about any girl. But if Penny is indeed pregnant, then those two have a mountain to work over if a baby is going to be involved. And you need to stay out of it. For God’s sake, you tried to strangle someone. Laying hands on fellow employees and threatening to kill them is unacceptable behavior. Do you understand?” She barely nodded. “I’m going to write you up for the assault. Consider yourself warned.”
“You’re writing me up!” she snipped. She inhaled the air in the room and stood from her seat. Leaning over my desk and getting right in my face, she growled, “You go ahead and fill out your paperwork, but let’s get something perfectly clear, you are not a threat to me. Your position as CFO is going to be short-lived. Very short-lived.” Then she shocked me to the core, letting me know she had applied for the position, but had kept it quiet because of Lidia’s vindictive attitude. “Don’t get too comfortable in your cushy power chair.” She rose to her feet, stormed to the door and headed out saying, “I’ll tell you what, Ms. Davis, as soon as you’re convicted of Julie’s murder, I’ll send you a letter in prison with the company’s letterhead and my signature as the CFO.”
* * *
“Penny, I’d like to have a word with you,” I requested after Lisa had stormed out, not only from my office, but from the workroom too.
“Yes, of course,” she said in a soft voice.
Once she was seated, I asked, “A baby, huh? Are you sure?”
She beamed a giant smile. “I can’t believe it. I took three pregnancy tests and they were all positive. I’m going to be a mommy.”
“Carter didn’t look very happy about being a daddy,” I bluntly pointed out.
She shook her head. “No, he’ll come around. He just needs to get used to the idea. He’ll make a fine father.”
“Penny, there’s a reason why relationships within the firm are discouraged. With you being pregnant and working in the same office as Carter and Lisa, emotions are going to continue to erupt. It’ll put a strain on everyone, and it won’t be productive. I’m going to reposition you in a different division of the firm.”
“What?” she screeched, her eyes bugging out of her head. “No, I love my job here … and I want to be next to Carter. Move Lisa!” she yelled for the whole world to hear. “She’s the problem, not me.”
“I don’t think Carter will want to continue working with you within the same office. I can’t see this working out.” It irked me to have to move Penny. She was the easy-going employee who generally kept the peace. I would’ve preferred to transfer Carter, especially considering his tardiness and shirking of my CFO position. But sadly, he was excellent in land acquisitions, procuring leases and finding investment opportunities and, though I hated to admit it, this company needed him to stay in his current position. Penny worked in royalties and bonuses. It would be much easier to train a new person to take her place.
“No, please don’t do this to me,” she begged. “You’ll see, Carter and I will work this out. We’ll be like a team together.”
“I’m sorry, Penny. You’re a wonderful employee. I’ll discuss this with Mr. Harrington, and we will find a good fit for you elsewhere in the firm.”
Penny’s face contorted into something I’d never seen before. “You need to hold off on any transfers. I haven’t said anything to anyone, but Julie talked before her untimely demise. I know things about you … and I will spill it all to Mr. Harrington.”
“What is it you think you know?” I demanded.
“Oh, I know all about your embezzlement scheme,” she taunted, spreading her lips with a hateful smile.
My brows bunched together. “You don’t have anything on me, and I have nothing to hide. Whatever Julie may have told you was a misconception. You’re wasting your breath by threatening me.”
“You wait and see,” she taunted. “I’m coming for you Paige. You’re going down, and as soon as you’re out, I’ll be the new CFO.”
She haughtily smiled at my shocked face. “That’s right Paige, I applied on the downlow because of Lidia’s hateful mouth. But since she was passed over, I must be next in line.” She stormed out of the office, yelling, “As soon as Mr. Harrington hears the truth about you, he’ll know exactly why you killed Julie and you’ll be out of this firm on your ass.”
* * *
It took a few moments to gather myself. I had no idea what Julie might have said to Penny, but I intended to find out. It might even help me cut through the mountain of paperwork and I could quickly explain what Julie most likely misinterpreted. While I wanted to follow behind her to find out what she knew, I thought it would be best to let her calm down first before approaching her. So, I moved onto my next problem.
“Carter, a moment please,” I instructed after Penny had not only left from my office, but from the workroom too, leaving me completely stunned.
“Me?” he questioned stupidly, like why would he be in trouble?
“Now,” I urged, not intending to take any shit off him.
He strutted across the room with a smirk I wanted to slap off his smug face. Arrogant prick. What in the world did Penny or Lisa see in him?
He took a seat in a guest chair, leaned back and propped his cowboy boots on my desk. “You wanted to see me. Well, here I am.”
“Get your damn feet off my desk,” I barked, pushing them to the floor with my hands, causing them to land with a loud thud. While he repositioned his tall frame more appropriately in the chair, I took my own seat.
“This better not be about me coming in late,” he started in. “I’ll tell you something Paige, you may think I’m slacking on office hours, but you’re not taking into account the ton of hours I spend off the clock while I’m working with Larry over in land acquisitions. And while you’re at home watching TV and eating bonbons, I’m searching for investment opportunities. When I show up late, it’s not because I was catching any extra z’s. It’s because I’m meeting with investors, or looking for new business opportunities for this company. I’m pulling my weight around here. So, don’t you dare go there.”
“Carter, I understand the extra work you’re doing, and this company appreciates it. But as far as showing up late, you simply need to log into the computer and report your activity. Checking in is a company requirement, which I’m sure you’re aware of. Otherwise, I do think your catching those extra z’s. And isn’t that what you said the other day?”
“Fine,” he grunted, crossing his arms over his chest.
“The reason I called you in is about Penny being pregnant. I don’t want to get in your business, Carter, but this thing between you, and Penny and Lisa … and now a baby … it’s out of hand and—”
“She’s lying,” he interrupted. “I always used a rubber. She’s just jealous about Lisa.”
“You know it’s against company policy to become involved with an employee—”
“I know, I know,” he said cutting me off. “Penny was—”
“I don’t need the details,” I interrupted. “The three of you need to work this matter out, outside of the office. But what I do need is for the employees to work together and to respect my position as CFO.”
“Then get rid of them both. Use your weight to get Harrington to fire them or relocate them within the company. But we both know how important I am in this sector. So, make it happen.”
“Make it happen,” I repeated in a harsh tone. “Didn’t I just mention something about respecting my position as CFO?”
He laughed. “Whatever. Didn’t I just mention how important I was to this division of the company? Listen to me Paige, you are not going to throw your weight around when it comes to me. Let me tell you something, I applied for the CFO position. The only reason I didn’t get the job was because old man Harrington knows how integral I am to this company’s worth in the position I’m already in. You’re the one who should respect me.” He strode to the door, opened it and looked back at me. “If you cause me any problems, you will regret it.”
* * *
Carter strolled out, not only from my office, but from the workroom too, leaving me mad at myself for not being able to get him under control. As I was about to lift the blinds, James rapped on my doorframe.
“Paige … uh, Ms. Davis, may I have a word with you?”
“Yes, of course. Have a seat.” I left the blinds closed and returned to my desk. “What’s this about?”
“Uh … this is weird … congratulations on the new job.” He slumped down in a chair, his posture deplorable and he began nervously straightening his tie.
“Thank you,” I said, knowing he was here about something else. “Go ahead, James, what’s on your mind?”
“Uh, it’s my daughter, Molly. She’s three now. Umm, she has medical conditions and I … er, well I was wondering if I could put in for a raise … you know, to help with the expenses. Everything isn’t covered under the company’s insurance plan. I could really use the help.”
“I’m sorry to hear about your daughter, James. I had no idea. Let me check into the available insurance plans. Perhaps there’s a better option to help with her medical needs.”
“Thank you … but since I was passed up for the CFO position, I’d also like the raise.”
My eyes widened. “You applied for this job?”
“Yes. I didn’t tell anyone. I didn’t think I’d get promoted. But my wife, well, she thought I was a ringer.”
“Oh, she did?” I couldn’t help my tone. James was such a wimp. Did his wife really think he was supervisory material?
“Yes, she did. And I don’t want to let her down … or my family. It’d be wonderful if you could check into the alternative insurances. But it’s important for me to get a raise.” He stood to leave and then added, “Paige … Ms. Davis, I know you won’t let me down. But just so you know, my wife believes you shouldn’t have received this job, and she also believes if something were to happen to you, I’d be your replacement. My family is the most important thing to me in the world and I don’t like disappointing them. So, it might be a good thing if I got a raise, a really big one.”
Chapter Thirty
It felt like James had just threatened me. In fact, it felt like everyone had threatened me, save and except for Lidia and David. But then again, they hadn’t been in my office yet. Thinking I should not only watch my back, I should keep an eye on everyone, I raised the blinds and peered around the room, noting everyone had returned, except Penny. She was nowhere to be seen and I really wanted to talk to her about what Julie had said.
Stepping into the employee area, I asked, “Where’s Penny?”
“Who gives a shit?” Lisa spouted hatefully.
“Not me,” remarked Lidia in an unconcerned tone.
“Beats me,” Carter responded in a dull tone.
“I have no idea,” James answered.
“She left after coming from your office and she hasn’t returned,” David provided.
“I’ll check the restroom,” I told everyone.
After searching every stall, I didn’t find Penny. Glancing at my watch, I realized the morning had flown by and it was already lunchtime. Penny could be having lunch, so I hurried to the breakroom. “Penny, are you okay?” I asked when I spotted her with her head down on one of the tables.
“I’m fine,” she responded without moving a muscle.
“Penny, please look at me,” I urged, patting her softly on the back.
She had to work at getting her head up. Her hair fell across her face but not enough to cover her red, puffy eyes. “I’ve been such a fool,” she cried. “I don’t know why I thought Carter would love me if I were pregnant.”
“Forget Carter. You need to be thinking about your baby now.”
“I know,” she agreed, rubbing at her tear-filled eyes. “I just wanted a family…”
“Penny, you’re so beautiful and smart and kind. You’re going to find someone who will love you and your baby so much. It probably
won’t be Carter because he loves only himself. But it’ll be someone who’ll treat you and your child with the utmost loving care. You’ll be fine, you’ll see.”
“I’m going to love this baby so much,” she said rubbing a palm across her tummy.
“Of course, you will,” I agreed.
“I threw up everything I’ve eaten in the last six months and now I’m starving. Isn’t it weird? Two seconds ago, I didn’t feel like living, and now I want something to eat.”
“Sounds like you are pregnant,” I said with a smile. “Can I get you anything … a Sprite or something?”
“Yes, please, it might settle my tummy. Thank you.”
After returning to my office to grab my purse, I went to the vending machine and purchased a Sprite. “Here you go,” I said placing the bottle on a napkin for her. “I have half of my sandwich left from yesterday. Would you like it?”
“What kind is it? I don’t think I can stomach the smell of tuna.”
“Chicken salad,” I replied, suddenly wondering if it too might turn her stomach.
She thought about it for a moment. “If it has the mixed fruit and nuts in it, I think I’d like to try it. Thanks.”
“It does,” I said. Searching through the fridge, I brought it out and placed it in front of her. “Here you go.”
“Thanks Paige,” she said opening the container and taking a bite. “By the way, I’m sorry about this morning. I really lost my temper and said some things I shouldn’t have. I’ll transfer out if you think it’s best. But if I get it through my thick skull that Carter and Lisa don’t have anything to do with me or this baby, do you think I can stay? I really don’t want to leave. Will you give me a chance … at least a little bit of time to prove it?”
“We’ll take it one day at a time,” I told her.
She gave me a thin smile and took another bite. “Thank you.”
“Penny, I want you to know that I haven’t embezzled anything from the company, but I’d like for you to tell me what Julie said so I can clear my name.”
A Deadly Promotion Page 12
