“Why not get me to help with that, then?”
“Because I can manage that on my own. But I can’t do this as well.”
The stapler flicks closed, pinching the side of my thumb. “God damn it.” I shake off the sting and shove the offending implement to the back of the desk. “I’m sorry if I’m being rude. I’m not angry at you. I’ve got other things on my mind at the moment that don’t help the situation.”
“Don’t worry about it.” She reaches across me to grab the stapler. “If I were you, I’d be annoyed too when I’ve just taken on a mortgage.”
Except, I haven’t. I’ve merely said I’d bought a house and let them assume the rest. Guess it works in my favor now, excusing my frustration at the changing circumstances.
“Here.” She pops the reloaded stapler in front of me. “One less thing to push you over the edge.”
“Thanks.”
I glance at the clock in the corner of the computer screen. There’ll be no point packing a lunch anymore when I knock off at 12:30. Travel mug of coffee and a small snack, and I’ll be set for the day.
Janis retreats to her office, and I wait a few minutes before I wake my monitor and hit print on the page. I minimize the screen and then book it down to the shared printer to retrieve the evidence. With it safely stashed in my pocket, folded into a rough square, I make the coffee I didn’t need and casually walk back to the reception desk, hoping I don’t appear as guilty as I feel.
Steam rises off the cup, nestled neatly in the corner of my desk, as I reach beneath to retrieve my bag and my phone. I need to tell somebody what I’ve found, I’m just not sure who yet.
The answer presents itself when I tug the device free. “The hell?”
I glance at Janis’s office and find her head down, notating pages. Turning my body slightly to block what I do, I open the message thread.
Can we meet up? I’ve got something I want to tell you.
He chooses today of all days to pick up the ball and start playing the game again.Darn it.I need to tell somebody about what I found, and I need it to be people I can trust to do something about it.
I swallow down any conflicting emotions I have about this and think of those women. People like me, snatched from their lives without warning or consequence—so far.
I’ve got something to tell you as well. Can you meet me now?
Screw this job. If they don’t value me, I won’t prioritize them either.
Where?
At the bandstand in the gardens.
This morning’s rain has cleared, but it should ensure nobody else is too keen to venture out and disturb us.
On my way.
I toss my phone back in my bag and slide from my seat to duck my head in Janis’s door. “Hey.”
She lifts her head.
“Is it okay if I call it a day? An issue’s come up that I need to deal with.”
She leans back with a sigh, lips flattening. “I hoped to catch up on this, but I guess. Everything okay?”
“Yeah. It’s just time sensitive.”
“Okay.” She gathers her things and moves to the front desk. “I guess it’ll be fine.”
“Thank you.” I gesture to the steaming drink. “You can have my coffee if you like.”
She smiles softly, finding the humor in the moment.
I grab my belongings and dip, dashing across the street to wait for Jinx.
