As she emailed off her reports to Karen, Brit acknowledged that Karen’s attitude was getting in the way of Karen being her best self at work. Fortunately for Brit, that wasn’t her problem.
Brit checked her phone. No new texts.
Last night, she sent Rebel a text letting him know she was thinking of him. He’d replied that it had been a hard weekend for his family.
Karen harrumphed. “Why did you put every case on a separate attachment?”
Brit flicked her gaze to her coworker.Here we go.“Why wouldn’t I?”
“How many cases are you assisting me with?”
Hair on the back of Brit’s neck prickled. She hated being lectured to like she was a child. “Six.”
“I use one attachment for all my cases, so you will too,” Karen barked.
“No, I won’t,” Brit pushed back. “What progress have you made on the Alphabet Killer case?”
Karen shoved out of her chair, pointed a finger at Brit. “Stop sticking your nose in my work!”
Cooper sailed in, stopped short. His gaze slid from a red-faced Karen to her.
Brit offered a friendly smile. “Hi, Cooper. What can we do for you?”
“We’re in the middle of something,” Karen blurted. “Can you give us a minute?”
No way. She did not just say that.
“Karen, I haven’t gotten a progress update on the serial killer case,” Cooper said. “This should be your top priority.”
Karen sat back down, cleared her throat. “Managing Brit has kinda turned into a thing.”
Cooper’s eyes widened. “You’rementoringher, not managing her.” He regarded Brit. “How are you doing?”
She could say “fine,” or she could answer his question honestly.
She squared her shoulders. “I can handle a lot more responsibility, and I don’t need to be managed. Karen and I aren’t working out, so I’d like to request a new mentor… please.”
Her stomach clenched, but she told her boss what she needed.
“Brit, you’re taking over the Alphabet Killer case, and I’ve assigned you a partner,” Cooper said. “Karen, forward everything you have on that case to Brit and cc me. Are we on the same page?”
“Yes, sir,” Brit replied.
“Wow,” Karen murmured. “Uh-huh. Whatever.”
Brit couldn’t believe the disrespect she was showing Cooper.
“Unfortunately, space is tight, so Brit, work with Providence on finding you a different office. I’ve got a call in to Addison about being your new mentor.” Cooper’s cell phone rang. “I’ve gotta take this. Brit, your new partner’s waiting in the conference room. Head over there.”
Excitement coursed through her. She felt triumphant. “Thank you.”
“Cooper Grant,” he answered as he breezed out.
Brit grabbed her laptop.
“You’re such a bitch,” Karen said. “I’m the best at what I do.”
“Give it a rest.” Brit slid everything into her computer bag, shouldered her crossbody bag, and left the office.
