The last two weeks were a blur of gathering, and doing, and checking and packing and preparing. Macy leaned back in her office chair and inhaled. The days had passed so fast she wasn’t sure she was ready to go to Europe. There still wasn’t an answer on the missing money. The conference call with her team hadn’t yielded anything to account for one hundred thousand dollars. Connie had pulled everything she requested. But the mystery still hung over her head like a cloud. Michelle was searching, without any luck.
The flight to Asturias would leave at seven, and she had poured over the contracts like there was a secret treasure buried in the legalese.
Her cellphone buzzed on her desk. The same 202 area code showed on her screen. She dismissed the call. Later she’d investigate blocking the number. It had to be some tele-marketer trying to sell her car insurance she didn’t need.
She faced the computer and pounded on the keyboard. Clearing e-mails was a beneficial way to channel anxiety. While she waited for the computer to catch up with her fingers, a sense of contentment settled over her. Her interaction with Avery had found a comfortable pattern. The earlier tension had vanished. Either he was a good faker, or he’d begun to trust her judgment.
Avery popped into her thoughts at odd times, while she showered or waited for a taxi, anytime she was alone. He even had a starring role in all her late-night fantasies.
From the other end of the hall, Roxy’s voice drifted into her office. Macy held her breath, hoping Roxy wouldn’t stop in. With Roxy, one question could turn into an hour-long conversation about some irrelevant thing. Her footsteps drew near. Macy tried to look busy. Maybe Roxy wouldn’t stop and interrupt her, but the clicking of Roxy’s heels slowed at her door anyway. Her heavy cologne drifted across the room ahead of her. She wore a kimono sleeve cardigan, white silk pants, and leopard peep-toe pumps. Her infamous blond ponytail swung from side to side as she came into the room.
“I didn’t expect to see you in the office today. I thought you would be home packing. Aren’t you ready to go?” Roxy sat in the chair in front of the desk. Macy braced herself for the long conversation that was sure to come.
“Yes. I just wanted to review a few things before leaving.”
“You’re so diligent.” Roxy crossed her legs. “I have all the confidence in the world that you can handle this customer. By the time you finish with Watney and Albabo, the Dragon negotiations will be well underway. If these two agree with our terms, then we’ll be in a better bargaining position with the others. They’re key in the industry. I enjoy this time of year. It’s when I get to use all my skills of persuasion. I feel like a puppeteer, controlling the whole process.”
How Roxy could breathe while talking so fast fascinated Macy. At any minute she expected Roxy to hyperventilate.
“I know we haven’t talked much about what happened with the Bunting contract, but I’m sorry we lost that business.” Macy leveled her gaze at Roxy.
“That was most unfortunate. I was disappointed.”
“The next time, I won’t cut it so close. I’ll make sure all the paperwork is prepared days in advance.”
“You do good work, Macy. Even with all that stuff that went wrong with the Bunting contract, you fixed it. I have faith in you,” she paused. “I like the way you and Avery are working together. You’ve helped him understand the company, which is going to be critical for him to help us with the expansion.”
“These clients are tough, but I’m ready.” Macy collected the items she planned to take with her on the trip. Now that Roxy was comfortable, it would be impossible to get any more work done.
“I wish Celeste was more like you, more serious about a career and her life. I’m always telling her she should spend more time with you. That you have so much to teach her.” Roxy stared out the window behind Macy. “She’s only twenty-four, still young, but she should be more concerned with the direction of her life.” Roxy spoke low. For someone who was always animated, she was very still.
“Celeste is a free spirit and I’m trying to get her to settle down. That’s why Avery is good for her. He’s patient, stable, and mature. But…” Her eyes were unfocused as if she was watching a tableau of what she wanted for her sister playing out in front of her. “My husband is getting a little tired of Celeste’s antics. He thinks I need to step back and stop being her safety net.” Roxy stood up and ran her hands over her pants. “Well, after I pay for a lavish wedding, I won’t have to worry about her anymore, will I?” The bewildered expression on Roxy’s face evaporated in an instant. “I’ve probably said too much. I don’t know what got into me. Have a successful trip and keep up the good work.”
Macy slumped in her chair and forced her nerves to relax. Roxy might not have as much confidence in her if she knew Macy was starting to have feelings for Avery and she was even more certain he had feelings for her.
“You and Avery have had lunch almost every day. Don’t you worry about office gossip?”
Macy jerked in her seat and lifted her head. Celeste stood in her office doorway with her hand saddled on her hip. Today she wore a simple dress that didn’t expose her breasts or hug her hips.
“I thought you had better things to do than survey the lobby.”
“Just so you know, he’s out of your league.”
“Is there something I can do for you, Celeste, or did you stop by to give me an update on office activity.”
She smiled, but it was as fake as she was. Then she took the seat vacated only moments before by her sister. She crossed her legs. “Are you ready for the audit?” Her voice dripped with insincerity.
“As a matter of fact, I was gathering paperwork now.” There was no way she was going to share any details with Celeste. The woman was about as trustworthy as a hungry cat. “Are you ready? Didn’t you have some issues last year?”
She smacked her palms down on her knees. “I’m always ready. The issues raised last year were minor. I’m sure IT will be stellar this year. Besides my team isn’t as large as yours, so it only took me a day to prepare. You must be sweating through the audit and the contracts.” Celeste shook her head.
Macy grabbed a stack of papers and made a display of organizing them. “Don’t worry about me. My accounts are in order.”
“Okay, I’m going. But I meant what I said. Unless you want to get your feelings hurt, Avery’s probably not the guy for you.” Celeste uncoiled her long legs and slinked out of the office.
Macy faced her computer. She moved her mouse to the accounting system icon and clicked twice. She entered her username and password and waited. The circle kept spinning but didn’t connect. A quick glance at the clock in the corner of the computer said she had just enough time to print out last month’s selling expense transaction before heading to the airport.
She entered her username and password again. ACCESS DENIED flashed on the screen in bold red letters.
“What the hell…” Macy mumbled. There was no time for this. She reached for the power button and shut down the computer. After waiting ten seconds, she turned the computer back on. She took her time, typing in her username and password one slow keystroke at a time. ACCESS DENIED flashed on the screen. This time the words were more disturbing than before.
She picked up the phone. “Stan, my access into the accounting system has been denied.”
“Calm down, Macy. Did you enter the wrong password five times? If you did that will automatically lock you out.”
“No, I didn’t. I know that, and I only did it twice and I used the right password.”
He sighed. “Let me check and get you back on line.”
She heard him tapping on keys. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The phone line went quiet for several moments.
“Are you still there, Stan? What’s taking so long?”
“I’m here. I’m not sure what the problem is. Let me do some checking and call you back.”
“I’m heading to the airport. I need to get into the accounting system. I’ve got things to check. I’ve got an audit coming up.”
“Don’t know what to tell you yet. I’ll get you back on line as soon as I can. I’ll shoot you an email when I figure it out.”
“Stan, there has got to be something you can do.”
“We’re shorthanded. I’ll get on it.” He hung up.