A Deadly Promotion

by Melanie Jones Brownrigg

  “That’s one theory. Another would be that you were having employee problems and now one of your employees is dead,” Detective Andrews remarked. “Much like you were having problems with Julie Mitchell.”

  “What?!” My eyes widened and my mouth fell open. I felt my heart picking up speed. “Why on earth would I want Penny dead? That doesn’t make any sense at all.”

  “According to my notes, there was an altercation this morning … one involving Penny Mathis, Lisa Harris and Carter Hughes. According to one of your employees, you, as the new Chief Financial Officer, had quite a problem controlling an altercation between the three of them.”

  “No, I did not,” I argued. “Penny disclosed she was pregnant. There’s a love-triangle going on between those three employees,” I added. “I broke up the tiff and called each one, separately, into my office and had a talk with them.”

  “Okay, tell me about Penny Mathis,” Detective Sutton inquired. “What went on during your talk with her?”

  “Like I said, Penny’s pregnancy came out. I told her it wouldn’t be practical for the three of them to keep working together, and it would be necessary for her to be transferred to a different department. You see, her position is more easily trainable than the other two,” I clarified. “Penny was upset at the idea of being relocated and had asked me to reconsider. She thought Carter would come around to the idea of being a father and everything would work itself out.”

  I wasn’t about to confess anything about Penny saying she was coming for me, insinuating she and Julie had talked about what Julie foresaw as embezzlement. Likewise, my mouth stayed clamped about Penny wanting to take me down and become the new CFO.

  “According to my notes, Ms. Mathis left saying, ‘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.’ Is this accurate, according to your recollection?” Detective Sutton asked.

  “It was something along those lines,” I truthfully answered, recalling Penny’s spout had occurred when she was marching out my door, a point when the other employees could have easily heard her.

  “So, tell me this,” Detective Sutton continued, “did you give Julie your sandwich to prevent Mr. Harrington from hearing the truth about you?”

  “No,” I screeched. “In fact, Penny apologized for her behavior and agreed to the transfer if things couldn’t be worked out.” I swallowed hard. “For God’s sake, I wouldn’t have poisoned her.”

  “This has to be someone who wanted Paige dead,” Paul interjected. “My client has no knowledge of any poisons being placed into the sandwich and certainly didn’t force Ms. Mathis to eat it. Let’s move on from accusing Paige, or I’ll end this interview.”

  Detective Sutton pushed back in his chair and tugged at his shirt collar. “Okay, let’s explore the possibility of someone else poisoning the sandwich, anticipating that you would eat it. Who do you think would have done such a thing?”

  I laughed. “Look, it seems all of the employees, except maybe David, applied for the CFO position. Each of them believes if I were eliminated, they’d be next in line for the promotion. Above that, Lisa Harris is mad because I’m going to write her up for assaulting and threating Penny. When she left my office, she said something to the effect that I shouldn’t get too comfortable in my power chair and as soon as I was convicted of Julie’s murder, she’d send me a letter in prison with the company’s letterhead and her signature as the CFO.”

  Detective Sutton grunted. “Okay, what about Carter Hughes?”

  I went into detail about Carter’s pompous attitude and lack of respect for my authority. “Apparently, he too applied for the CFO position. According to his line of thinking, he was passed over because he’s integral to the company in his current position. But even so, he may think if I’m out of the picture, he’d be next in line. When he left my office, he said if I caused him any problems, I’d regret it.”

  “Well, we already know Lidia Gentry feels passed over for the position,” Detective Sutton admitted. “What about James Pierce?”

  “According to him, his wife believes James should have received the CFO position instead of me, and if anything happens to me, James would be my replacement. He demanded a raise, a really big one as he put it, and it sounded more like a threat, than a request.”

  “What about David Ross?” Detective Andrews asked.

  I shrugged. “As far as I know, David didn’t apply for CFO and he’s never threatened me. But sometimes David creeps me out. There’s really no way of knowing what goes on in his head. Look, for all I know, they may all be out to kill me. And one of them may have wanted Julie dead. You’re barking up the wrong tree if you think I had anything to do with Penny’s death, or Julie’s for that matter.”

  “She’s right,” Paul agreed. “Instead of pointing the finger at my client, you need to be looking for someone else’s fingerprints on the sandwich wrapping.” Paul turned to me. “Did you find out if there were cameras in the breakroom?” He looked back at the detectives. “We’re certain the pain killers were in Paige’s system because someone added them to her tea while she was in the restroom.”

  “There aren’t any cameras,” Detective Andrews provided. “We’ve already addressed the possibility with Mr. Harrington on the day of Julie’s murder.”

  Detective Sutton checked his notes. “I believe that’s all we have for right now.” Both detectives pushed up on their feet. On their way to the door, Detective Sutton paused and looked back at me. “Ms. Davis, we will look into these other individuals as possible suspects for poisoning your sandwich, but don’t think you’re off the hook, You’re still the only suspect in Julie Mitchell’s murder, and the prime suspect in Penny Mathis’s poisoning.”

  The two detectives left, once again thinking I’d killed someone. I hoped they’d find something pointing to whoever doctored my leftovers, because, without a doubt, someone wanted to kill me. The question was, which one of my employees wanted me dead the most?

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  For the rest of the afternoon, the company remained a crime scene, including my office, where once again, my desk was scoured along with everyone else’s.

  “Just call it a day,” Mr. Harrington told me once the interviews had all been conducted. “It’s already three o’clock and the employees won’t be able to concentrate anyway.” He shook his head and sighed. “It’s hard to believe we have someone in this company who is willing to kill twice … first Julie, and now Penny. The police better figure this out soon.”

  I frowned, hoping he didn’t think I was the someone. “I’m sorry about Penny. I had no idea my sandwich was tainted.”

  “Well, of course you didn’t. And if you would’ve eaten it, you’d be the one who was dead.” His features looked long and ragged and the wrinkles on his face were deeper. “Let’s all go home. It’s been quite a day.”

  Paul had remained with me throughout the afternoon and we left together. “Let me follow you home,” he offered. “I’d feel better if I made sure you were safely locked behind closed doors.”

  “Thanks, I’d appreciate it.” It was disconcerting what happened to Penny. It was even more unnerving knowing someone was out to get me. Having Paul accompany me inside my apartment wasn’t an offer I was going to turn down.

  Last night, we’d had a nice long dinner together and we had learned a lot about each other. Admittedly I was attracted to him and it felt like he was to me. Even so, we’d kept our distance from each other when Paul had walked me to my car and told me goodnight. Tonight, when I invited him inside to look for the boogeyman, I wondered what would happen.

  “Welcome to my humble abode,” I said, ushering him inside my door.

  Callie followed along with him while he did a look-see in every closet, behind every door and underneath my bed. “Looks like you’re all clear,” he announced after completing his inspection of my tiny one-bedroom apartment.

  After having
skipped lunch, we ended up ordering a pizza. Crashing on my mother’s hand-me-down floral couch, we began chowing down in front of the TV with Callie on the floor at my feet. We were about halfway through a sitcom when his phone notified him of a text. He ignored it. A few minutes later, he received another notification. Then another.

  My curiosity was getting the best of me, thinking it must be Angela. And if they’d broken up, why was she sending him repeated messages? If they had reconciled, I wanted him to leave. When it pinged again, I felt compelled to ask, “Did you and Angela get back together?”

  He frowned and turned his phone off. “Sorry,” he apologized without answering, which didn’t sit well with me.

  “Did you?” I demanded, wanting a direct response.

  “No, we’re not back together. But she confronted me last night about us going out to dinner. I tried to explain it was none of her business anymore. But suffice it to say, the breakup isn’t going well. Angela is far more upset than I’d expected.” He pulled his phone from his pocket and began reading at least twenty messages.

  “My God, has she been texting you all day?”

  “It looks like it,” he admitted. “I had my phone turned off until I drove over here. I didn’t realize she’d sent so many messages.” He continued to scroll through them until he came to the last one. “Shit, she followed me to your apartment. Paige, I’m sorry. I hate her knowing where you live. I should’ve read them beforehand.”

  “What’s going to happen?” I was suddenly afraid of his crazed girlfriend banging on my door and causing a scene.

  “Your apartment can only be entered through the main lobby. She won’t know which unit you live in. But to be on the safe side, I’m going to leave. I’ll have another talk with her and get this straightened out.” He pushed up from the couch and I followed his lead. “Since you’re not climbing the stairs anymore, would you like to join me in the gym tomorrow evening? They have a stair-stepper.”

  “Okay, I’ll give it a go.” I’d never checked out the gym in the basement of our office building. Exercising in front of others wasn’t my style. But I’d try it.

  Callie and I walked him to the door. “Well, goodnight Callie,” he said, bending to pet her. “Goodnight Paige. Be sure to lock up after me.”

  With his possessive girlfriend outside my complex, there was no way I’d forget that step.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  The Girlfriend

  “Hello,” Angela answered the phone, seeing that it was Lisa, her friend who worked in the same office as Paige Davis, i.e. the conniver who Angela now considered to be a growing inconvenience.

  “My problem has been resolved,” Lisa announced through the phoneline.

  “What do you mean?” Angela asked while she foiled some over-the-hill lady’s gray hair who thought her husband would stick with her if she went blonde. She had news for her … there wasn’t a hairdresser on this planet who could fix her enough to keep a man. Some people were just born ugly. It surprised the hell out of Angela that the old bag had found someone to marry her in the first place.

  “Penny. She’s out of the picture. It’s just me and Carter now.”

  “How did you manage that?” Angela asked, hoping to resolve her own problem. Paul hadn’t come around yet and she feared it is because he had developed an attraction to Bimbo, as she often referred to Paige Davis.

  “She’s pushing up daisies. Sleeping with the fishes. Kicked the bucket.”

  “What?” Angela questioned, wishing her afternoon coffee would kick in.

  “Penny … she’s dead, you big goof.”

  “Wait, you need to back up and go into more detail.” Angela stopped brushing the formula on the old lady’s hair so she could get into this conversation. The old biddy gave her a disapproving look. “Someone’s dead,” Angela whispered to her. The elderly woman put on her sad face, like now Angela could fry her hair off and it would be okay.

  “This morning when I arrived at work, Penny waltzed her butt up to Carter and told him she was pregnant. We got into it big time and I started choking the shit out of her and threatening to kill her. Your bimbo came in and broke us up. Then she took us into her office, one at a time, and chewed on our asses. She wrote me up for assault.”

  “That bitch,” Angela growled through the phone, causing the old hag to glare at her.

  “Yeah, no shit. But get this, Penny mouthed off to Paige about knowing things that would get Paige fired. The next thing I knew, Penny had eaten Paige’s sandwich and was flopping around on the floor like a fish out of water. I watched her die right before my very eyes. No more Penny, and no more baby. Like I said, my problem has been resolved.”

  “That’s fantastic,” Angela yipped out. “Did they arrest Bimbo for killing another person?”

  “Not yet, but when they interviewed me, I threw her as far under the bus as I possibly could. Carter did too. And you can bet Lidia did. I’m not sure what James or David reported. The way I see it, she’s going down for Penny’s death. And if not her, certainly for Julie’s. It’s all just a matter of time.”

  “I don’t want to wait,” Angela whined. “I need her gone, sooner rather than later, before I lose Paul.”

  “Well, I’m doing all I can for you. I told the detectives she killed Penny, just like she killed Julie. I couldn’t make it any clearer to them. Maybe they’ll revoke her bond and throw her in jail. That’ll get her out of your way and mine too … the old two birds with one stone.” Lisa laughed.

  “I hope so,” Angela agreed. “Was Paul there with her? I’ve checked his office camera all day and he’s been out. I’ve continually texted him, but he’s not answering me.”

  “Yeah, sorry, he was.”

  “Dammit, I knew it. Listen, I need to get this old fossil’s hair done so I can go have another chat with Paul.” Angela hung up, noting the woman’s tight-faced expression. “Don’t worry, you may look bad now, but you’ll be gorgeous when I’m through with you,” she assured the lady.

  Once again, Angela was magnetized to the clock, just waiting for the end of the day. As soon as she had cut, blow-dried and styled some teenaged girl’s hair, she flew to her car. Her GPS tracking device showed Paul’s black SUV had moved from the office parking lot to an apartment complex. She had a bad feeling he was at Bimbo’s place

  She was beyond agitated by the time she pulled into the parking lot and spotted his vehicle. If she knew which apartment Paige lived in, she’d beat her door down. Resorting to texting again, this time she sent Paul one of her ultimatum texts, telling him he’d better get home and talk to her before she ripped his new girlfriend’s head off. She would not stand for this. She was like a goddess and Paul needed to realize what he was losing. And, if all else failed, she would do whatever it took to resolve her own problems, including permanently getting rid of Bimbo.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  David Ross

  David decided he needed to start following Paige again. While this latest threat happened at the office, who was to say it might not happen at her home? There was no telling what someone might do … anyone might do. His girlfriend might simply get scared and need his big strong arms. He intended to step up, be a man, and protect her … well, at least from that interfering attorney.

  When Paige left, he followed her out to her car and waited for her to exit the parking garage. Then he filed in behind her. At the first red light, he noticed her attorney was behind him.

  “Shit,” he cussed. “What does he think he’s doing?”

  That prick had been glued to her all day. He needed to go home, or wherever it was he was supposed to be.

  He pulled into Paige’s parking lot, like he had done so many times before. He knew right where to park to get the best view of her living room window. He watched the attorney go inside her living quarters. His woman … with that man. It was incomprehensible. David couldn’t believe it. Pain cracked his heart open and he wanted to curl into a ball and disappear.

&nb
sp; While he fought away tears, his phone rang. He quickly straightened in his seat and answered. “Momma,” he said in greeting.

  “David, I was wondering if you’d pick up some milk on your way home. I drank the last bit this afternoon.”

  “Yes, Momma, I’ll be glad too. I’m over at Paige’s house right now. So, don’t wait up for me.”

  “You’re there now? What about my supper?”

  “I’m sorry Momma, but Paige had a really rough day and I’m trying to look after her. Can you eat a sandwich tonight?”

  He heard his mother sigh. “I suppose I can. But I wish you’d just bring her home. You know I’m dying to meet her.”

  “I know, Momma. But right now, she’s going through a difficult time. But soon, I promise.”

  “Well okay. I guess I’ll be in bed by the time you get home.”

  “Probably. Goodnight, Momma.”

  David sat alone in his car and stared up at Paige’s living room window. He imagined the attorney was kissing his girlfriend and he didn’t like it one bit. Eventually he saw a pizza guy make a delivery and he imagined them eating together, all cuddled up and watching TV. He wanted to be the one on the couch with Paige so bad. Why couldn’t it be him?

  A red sports car pulled into the parking lot and backed in next to him. He looked over at the driver and saw a bleached blonde behind the wheel. She was furiously pecking at her phone and made no attempt at getting out.

  Several minutes later, the attorney hurried out to his black SUV, making eye contact with the girl in the red vehicle. He drove off quickly with the red car following behind him. David wondered if the attorney had a girlfriend and he was stringing Paige along. He cranked his engine and took out after them.

  A few blocks later, both vehicles pulled into a parking garage at a high-dollar condominium complex along the banks of the Trinity River. The attorney entered through the main entrance, and the bleached blonde followed in behind him.