“Oh, Clint.” Makes sense now why she gave up her phone relatively easily yesterday.
“I know.”
I look through the glass doors to the central elevator bank. If Hardwin and Candace want me gone, maybe it’s time I just agree. My family has to come first. “I’ll meet you at the dentist.”
“Appreciate it. Question is, can I get her there? She’s locked herself in her room. I’ve decided to give her a minute, although we need to leave in forty-five if we’re going to make it.”
“Can I share an idea?”
“All ears.” If there is sarcasm in his tone, I don’t hear it.
“Remind her of the fifty-dollar cancellation fee. If she misses the appointment, it’s coming out of her account.”
“Not a bad idea.”
I glance back down the hallway toward my office. “I’ll meet you there.”
“You really will?” This time, maybe a tad of sarcasm.
I ignore the bait. “Yeah, maybe I’ll take a couple days off. Perhaps we can all get away to somewhere nice.”
“Who are you, and what have you done with my wife?” He chuckles without any pointy little edges. A sound I haven’t heard in far too long.
When I return to my office, Candace hasn’t moved.
“I’m heading home. Well, to the dentist first and then home. Please thank everyone who had a part in these gifts. We will enjoy them.”
“Good to hear.” Candace walks to the door and then turns right before leaving. “One more thing.”
I finish reentering my password to wake my computer and then look up.
“The fake customer data on the thumb drive. You didn’t make a copy?”
I glance down at my laptop and then back up at her. “My computer doesn’t allow outside USB drives.”
Candace remains staring at me.
“I pulled it up on my personal computer before handing it over. I needed to know if it was about work. It was just a thumb drive.”
She turns and glances in the small silver mirror, but she’s not looking at her own reflection.
“Copies?”
“I gave what I was given to Terrence.”
I hold my breath as I open my inbox to find an email about the cottage reservation. Access to the data is my leverage. I have a handful of copies stashed. My stomach rolls with acid. I need to get out of here.
I’m turning into someone I don’t recognize.
Her retreating footfalls echo in my ears.
28
OUTSIDE THE DENTIST’S OFFICE,I sit on a wrought iron bench under a large willow tree. Blades of grass dance in the light filtering through the hanging leaves. I breathe in the heady scent of nature. Two years ago, there were lengthy discussions about perfuming our office air. The lobby of the building had been doing it for years. It was subtle, but it was supposed to encourage both loyalty and pride in our workplace. They decided instead to upgrade our air scrubbers to improve air quality. I close my eyes. The authentic, vibrant sweetness in the tender breeze speaks to something deep inside me.
“Meredith,” Clint calls out to me.
I blink into the bright rays reflecting off a van’s windshield. He shifts to his left, and his broad shoulder casts me in shadow. I smile at the man who shows courtesy even when I don’t always appreciate it.
