As she walked out of the last office toward the elevator, she stopped to peer at the sunset coming through the expansive windows. The silence indicated the workers had left for the day, offering her a chance to continue her appreciation of the view.
Suddenly, the sound of voices from the other side of the floor caused her to turn toward the un-rented side. She had designed generic office spaces there and they were just in the process of being completed. She started to walk toward that side to check on the work when the voices turned louder, with a distinct angry tone, and her feet stuttered to a halt.
“You think I don’t know what’s going on? What you’re doing?”
“If you know what’s good for you, then you’ll stay quiet.”
“And what’s in it for me?”
“Maybe your continued good health!”
“Are you threatening me?”
“Fuck, just settle down. Listen, there’s plenty for you, too. Just play along, no one knows, and you’ll benefit.”
“How many people are in on this? You keep adding and there won’t be enough to go around.”
“Quit bitchin’. There’s plenty. More than you can imagine, so it’ll be worth your while to agree and take your slice.”
“How do I know what you’ve got is any good? What if it doesn’t work?”
“I’m telling you that it will. This isn’t my first rodeo.”
The voices came nearer and Sandy wanted to be anywhere but where she was standing when they made it to the lobby outside the elevator. Tip-toeing, she hurried through the stairway door, making sure to hold it so it made no sound as it closed. Continuing to tip-toe run down the stairs, she made it to the third floor, but her heart pounded as she sucked in air. I need to get back to the gym! She darted through the door and ran toward the elevator. Looking up, she could see it was still on the seventh floor. Pushing the button, she slowed her breathing, hoping her heart rate would slow as well.
The elevator dinged, and as the doors opened, she stared at the men inside. Slapping on a huge smile, she brightly said, “Oh, hello, Dave. I had no idea anyone else was here!” She stepped onto the elevator as four men blinked at her, then scooted over to make room. Dave was the only one she recognized, but two others wore Perkins Electrical shirts.
“Good evening, Ms. Carmichael,” Dave greeted, his smile friendly. “I was just finishing a daily walk-through to check on some of the work. You’re here kind of late.”
“I was looking over a few offices as well, and the time slipped away.”
The elevator quickly descended, and the doors opened onto the first floor. She stepped out, wanting to run but carefully walking with measured footsteps. Standing outside the main doors was a pizza delivery man. She hesitated before opening the door, but one of the Perkins Electrical employees hustled forward, mumbling that the pizza was for him.
“They’ve ordered pizza for a few of us that were here late,” Dave said, coming up from behind to stand next to her. “There’s plenty if you want a slice.”
Hoping a deep blush wasn’t running rampant over her face, she battled to keep the air from rushing from her lungs. Smiling up at him, she said, “Thanks, but I’ve got dinner plans. I’ll catch you later this week and we can walk through the offices together.” Tossing them a goodbye wave, she hustled out to her SUV, glad to be heading home.
While fixing dinner, her phone vibrated with an incoming message.
Check email. Bekki
Turning the soup to low, she grabbed her laptop and opened the email. Skimming the contents, she read through a few more articles on Perkins Electrical’s problems with the law during the 1990s. Payoffs to gain city bids on jobs. Payoffs for inspectors to pass wiring that proved to be substandard and dangerous. The company was fined and taken over by the son. After reading what Bekki sent, she started searching the Internet, digging up just a few more articles, including a mention of a name change.
She jumped from the table as she heard her front door open. She ran from the kitchen to welcome Rory with a quick kiss, but he had other plans, and soon they were lip-locked in her living room. Finally, leaning back with her fingers still clutching his shoulders, she gasped. “Wow. Just wow.”
Laughing, he said, “Can’t think of a better greeting. A fuckin’ huge kiss that knocks the words right out of my woman’s mind.”
She rolled her eyes as she settled down on her heels, her smile still wide. “Come on back. I’m almost finished.” Calling over her shoulder as she led him into the kitchen, she added, “It’s simple tonight. Homemade tomato and roasted pepper soup and my special grilled cheese sandwiches. I worked late, so I was a bit rushed to do anything more. But there’s also chocolate cake… store-bought, but still… it’s chocolate!”
Soon, she ladled the savory soup into large bowls and plated the sandwiches of thick, toasted, buttery bread filled with three types of cheese. Both drinking water, they sat at her small table and dug in. Rory groaned his appreciation with the first bite of his sandwich and continued with even more appreciation as he scooped up spoonfuls of soup. Their conversation was light, both chatting about their day.
As she finished, she propped a foot onto the seat of the chair and rested her chin on top of her knee. “I have to tell you what happened at the end of the day when I was
