“Sloane is getting promoted. Effective immediately.”
Silence stretches on the line, long enough to be noticeable.
“Boss…” he says at last. “She doesn’t have management experience, and if I move her up this fast, it’s going to raise questions.”
“Did that sound like a negotiation?” The words stay calm, but there’s a warning under them. “You’re going to make her manager, and you will triple what she’s making now.”
Another pause, then a resigned exhale. “Okay. Whatever you want.”
“Good. I don’t pay you to explain problems to me. I pay you to fix them.”
“Yes, boss.”
“That’s the spirit, Mark. Now tell me, have you seen her sleeping in her car?”
“What? No,” he says, too quickly. “Why would I…no, I haven’t. Is there a problem?”
He gets paid not only to run things, but to keep an eye on Sloane and report back to me. If he hasn’t noticed, it means she’seither good at hiding it or he isn’t doing his job, neither of which are good for him.
“There might be, and I expect you to know everything that is going on with her.”
“What do you want me to do, spy on her?”
“Exactly.”
A slow breath carries through the receiver, resignation settling in. “I’ll keep an eye out.”
“Make sure she knows she can come to you if something is going on.”
I hate the thought of her needing anyone but me, but it will scare her if I’m too pushy, and I don’t want to do that.
“Of course.”
“If she says anything, you tell me immediately.”
“Understood.”
“There’s one more thing. I dropped off a package for her earlier. It’s wrapped. Make sure she gets it. I want her to know it’s from me.”
His voice shifts. “Okay. What is it?”
“That doesn’t concern you. It’s on your desk. Pink wrapping paper.”
Her favorite color.
He huffs like he’s smiling to himself. “Sure thing, boss.”
“What the hell was that?”
“What was what?” I can almost see him grinning.
“Don’t play me for an idiot.”
A soft chuckle leaks through anyway. “It’s just…you have really taken to this girl, even back in New York. What is it about her?”
I don’t know.
“Mark.” His name comes out like a warning. “Stop asking questions and start paying attention. Keep your eye on her likeI told you. If you miss something that matters, you won’t get a second chance.”
