‘Tarin, we need to meet with you as soon as you get in.’
The text sat like a pot of espresso on an empty stomach, the acid churning and burning her insides. As she walked into the building, she felt like hanging her head. She was the young child who had to follow her father into his office knowing she was in trouble again, praying for once it would be different; praying she wouldn’t feel like a world-class failure again. The sick feeling clung to her insides like bubblegum to a shoe sole. Whether she was overreacting and her guilty conscience was making her believe the worst, she didn’t know.
Really what could they do? That thought didn’t do anything to make her feel better. She entered as quietly as she could, wanting a moment to herself. Graham appeared the moment the door clicked shut.
“Good morning.”
Unable to meet his gaze, she half-smiled before she squared her shoulders and walked toward his office. Nothing was said as he gestured her in. Not really paying attention, she entered and then looked up and suddenly stopped. Graham slammed into her back and she stumbled forward. His hands grabbed her firmly to keep them both from falling. It was such a good feeling to be held against a strong, solid chest that it took her a moment to remember she didn’t belong there. And he was her boss, one that was pissed at her. For what, she couldn’t even guess. Reluctantly she pulled away but imagined his fingers tightening, not wanting to release her.
“Hi.” She said absently to the room but her gaze was pulled to Bailey sitting to her left, appearing slightly guilty. Something was up; it hadn’t been her imagination, because why else would Bailey and Guy be sitting there waiting for her? Both looked as uncomfortable as she felt.
Oh my god, do they know I stole information from Caspian?
“Hi, Tarin.”
“So, is this an interrogation or a firing?”
“Neither. Please sit.”
Feeling sick, she perched on the edge of the hard chair just inside the door rather than the one beside Graham’s desk that he’d indicated. She might be required to be present but she didn’t have to be up close and personal. The training she’d been trying to shed was now her shield. The scared little girl could be hidden away in the deepest recesses. She could be the ultimate professional, not taking anything personally, not allowing emotions to get in the way. This was purely a business transaction and not the first time she’d been in the hot seat. She’d been told off by the best and the wealthiest of them. The ones who hadn’t liked a smart, savvy businesswoman who knew how to put together a business deal. Sadly, her father had probably been the worst. It hadn’t matter that she’d managed to snag multi-million-dollar deals; no, it had been why hadn’t she been able to snag more?
She sat up straight, placing her hands in her lap and pasted on an attentive expression while vowing not to be run over. She stared back at Graham who was looking a bit uneasy.
“Look, there are some things happening that we don’t understand.”
She turned to Guy who was sitting behind his desk but was leaning forward. He didn’t seem too comfortable either. This could take all day.
“So what exactly are you accusing me of?”
“You don’t pi—uh, waste time do you?”
“No.”
“How did you come to work here?”
“I saw your ad online and I applied.”
“Why here? Why not out west where you were living?”
Graham’s hard look almost pierced through her armor. If she was going to get through this she couldn’t look at him. “I wanted to move back east. The job I wanted just happened to be one I applied for.”
“What did you say you did before you came to us?”
“I ran my own business. I did contract computer work.”
“Do you mind giving us their names?”
“You’re asking for more references? Now? A little late, isn’t it?” That had to mean they thought she was doing a lousy job. She dropped her gaze to her fingers clasped in her lap.
“You didn’t tell us you were married, either?”
Her head snapped up and she looked at Graham. “Anything else of interest you learned about me?”
A light flush crept up his face but he didn’t break eye contact. “Are you behind who’s sabotaging our business?”
Of all the things he could have asked her that one hadn’t even entered her mind. Her eyes widened as she realized what he was accusing her of. Her nose flared, which meant the waterworks weren’t far behind.
“Oh, I get it. Since I showed up a few months after things went crazy, I have to be responsible for it happening.”
“You do have some secrets.”
Clenching her hands into fists, she replied, “No. What I have is a life. One I didn’t know I had to share with my bosses. I haven’t done anything to hurt this place. And I wouldn’t. Did it ever occur to you that you’ve probably made an enemy or two with the number of guys you’ve helped to put behind bars? Why are you accusing me?”
“We don’t mean it like that, Tarin. But we are a bit confused and we need some answers. Look, we don’t know much about you and we need to know it isn’t you. We’ve checked with our major clients and none of them have been hacked. Yes, there are people who spam others for the sake of it. We’ve put up the necessary blocks and we’re still getting bogus requests. Yes, you’re right; we probably have a few enemies out there. Let’s just say someone is screwing with us and it feels like it’s closer to home,” Guy said.
“So I had to be a good bet.” She stood. “Maybe there’s someone else you haven’t checked out—someone else you’ve done work for that might have been hacked. No, it was easier to assume it’s me, right? Too many things add up. I’ll clean out my desk.” She walked out but stopped long enough to stare at her desk, where she had no personal items. Not one.
“Why didn’t you tell me you had a husband?” Graham was standing right behind her.
Funny the one thing he was hung up on had nothing to do with her supposedly destroying Knights Associates. And he had to have dug for that information. She’d hidden it well. It made her wonder what else he knew about her.
“Because I didn’t think it was your business.”
“Oh? Yet you got all in my face, thinking I was two-timing you with my supposed girlfriend.”
She took a couple of steps before facing him. “Funny the things we believe, isn’t it? Evidence just seems to add up and it’s easy to come to a wrong conclusion. I didn’t tell you about my marriage because as far as I’m concerned it’s over. And it was none of your business. One kiss doesn’t give you the right to my entire life. Thank you for the job.” She smiled and walked out, ignoring his pleas for her to wait. Once in her car, she put herself on autopilot and drove toward home.
She was almost there when she realized the car was pulling to one side. Driving into the nearest service station, she filled the rear right tire. She wondered if it had a slow leak; if so, if she didn’t fix it soon she was going to find herself stranded. Not something she really gave a damn about right then. As she was leaving, she noticed a man in a silver rental car pull in to fill his tank. As she climbed into the driver seat, she was vaguely aware of his head swiveling toward her. Maybe it was her imagination but he looked a bit stunned; but in her current agitated state, she didn’t bother to get a good look at him. Sighing, she pulled out and shot down the street. Arriving home, she parked, making her way slowly to the house.
“Uhm, you okay?”
She had hoped to sneak into her basement apartment and take a few minutes for herself. She’d been able to avoid Bobbie for a few days now, but her friend had obviously seen her arrive.
“Fine. I came to get Chance.”
“Something’s up. What is it?”
“I don’t know.”
“What’s that mark on your forehead?”
She explained at edited version of what had happened—she’d stumbled and hit her head on a tree and now had a raging headache. She didn’t bother mentioning it had been a few days before.’
“Leave Chance with us. Pamper yourself, take a hot bath and relax.”
“No. I’m going to spend time with him.” She grabbed Chance and headed to the park. It was already 7:00 p.m. and she had one hell of a headache but she couldn’t disappoint him again. Hopefully, an hour at the playground would make up for her absence.
“I’m gonna get you.” She growled and crouched as though stalking him. He squealed, flapping his arms as he ran away from her. She couldn’t help but smile, the emotion spreading from her lips to her entire being.
She tentatively touched the sore spot on her head, trying to massage the dull throb away. Her day may have been crappy, but this was what she needed. Chance giggled and she realized he was the best medicine. She forgot about everything else and let the laughter of her son soothe her wounded body and soul.