"I appreciate your tact in this unusual situation. It can't be every office where an employer has such a close relationship with their employee." Sam got the hint.
Any more conversation was cut short as the car slowed to a stop. The door closest to her opened to reveal the underground parking lot. She gave a polite smile and nod to her host before she slid out of the car. She headed toward the elevators as the limo pulled away and disappeared amidst the other numerous cars.
"Well, that was interesting," she softly commented as she watched the limo drive off. That little voice in her head was still disappointed, but she squashed it flat. No matter how much she enjoyed their sensual rendezvous, she still felt the relationship was not only risky but unethical.
With that fresh on her mind Sam rode the elevators up to her floor and slipped into her small space. She was actually five minutes early for a change, and she used the time to lean back in her chair and relax. Leisurely she got to work when the clock showed eight, and she didn't even worry when Slinky didn't make her appearance. Nearly an hour was killed in blissful quiet and she finally felt that everything was going her way.
That didn't last long, though.
At about nine o'clock Slinky suddenly slunk into Sam's small cubicle.
"Don't move, act like I'm not here," she whispered.
"What int he world are you doing?" Sam hissed beneath her breath. It was an uncomfortable fit as she tried to turn around while Slinky squished herself behind the chair.
Sam didn't to wait long for an explanation as Winkle came marching passed, but she paused at the threshold to her small domain. Her supervisor looked in at the unoccupied cubicle beside her.
"Where is Miss Slink?" she demanded to know.
"I'm sure she was just here," she deceptively replied. Fortunately Sam's coat, chair and body hid the petite Slinky behind her chair against the wall. Sam gave her a shaky smile, but her upturned lips dropped when she noticed the dark circles beneath her supervisor's eyes and the tight lines around her mouth. She looked like she hadn't slept a wink last night and was out for any excuse to beat someone to a pulp. "Is something wrong, Mrs. Winkle?" she politely asked. Even if the woman was a bitch, she was genuinely concerned. She didn't like to see animals suffer. "Did you need me to get you some medicine or something?"
"Just get back to work," Winkle growled, but she at least walked on.
As soon as she was out of sight Sam's shoulders slumped and she sighed with relief. She leaned over and glanced down at the bundle nestled on the floor.
"It's safe," she whispered. Slinky popped her head out of her coat and looked around. "Now mind telling me what you're doing trying to hide from her? I mean, you could have just gone into your own cubicle."
"Two very good reasons," Slinky informed as she crawled out of her small space. "The first is, I don't even like seeing her ugly mug." She stood up and brushed the wrinkled out of her wild looking outfit. Today she was wearing an Hawaiian shirt with khaki shorts.
"And the second?" Sam just had a morbid curiosity to her Slinky's reasonings.
"The second is I've been asking around about things she doesn't want us finding out." Slinky glanced over the walls for any danger and then hunched down against the desk. She was ready to bolt out of the cubicle or behind the chair again at the first sign of trouble. "She's gonna want to knock me off when she finds out what I've been doing."
"That sounds a little paranoid," Sam pointed out.
"You think so?" Slinky challenged as she turned to her with wild eyes. Then she paused and reflected. "Come to think of it, I do sound a little paranoid."
"See? Now you're starting to talk sensible." Sam would have gotten back to her work, but Slinky had her attention with the secrets she supposedly found. "Now what exactly were you going to tell me you'd found?"
"For starters, apparently that other woman who had your job was here for almost fifteen years."
"That's a really long time to up and get fired," Sam noted. That was only half as long as Mrs. Winkle herself, though, so she still had more seniority and experience. "Maybe she was having an affair for a while and got fired when she got found out."
"Maybe, but the really weird thing is nobody seems to know where that rumor came from. You know, the one about her having an affair."
"So how would knowing this get you on Winkle's hit list?"
"Because one of my informants just came to me a few minutes ago and told me Winkle had asked her about me." Slinky's shifty eyes darted around the small cubicle. It wasn't much to look at. "She's trying to trace where I've been and what I've got."
"And how much medication you're on," Sam teased. Her friend was a little miffed at her lack of worry. "To be honest, I'm not really sure what you just found except what we already knew," she pointed out. "I mean, what does it matter that she'd been here that long?"
"Maybe nothing, maybe a lot, but I mean to find out as much as I can." Slinky narrowed her eyes and leaned over Sam. "Can I trust you with this information?"
"With my life," Sam swore. She remembered to cross her finger over her heart.
"Good. I gotta go out on another reconnaissance, so I'll see you at lunch."
"I'll be here," she promised.
Slinky snuck out of her cubicle and out of sight. Sam shook her head, but paused for a moment. Now that she thought about it, it was a little strange that someone that long had suddenly been given the let go and no one knew quite why. In an office building as big as this where someone at the top had been let go, and with how many connections Slinky had throughout the place, it did all point to a mystery.
Her friend disappeared until lunch time, when she came back to pick up Sam for their lunch appointment. It was nice getting out of the stuffy office building, but Slink was quiet, at least for her.
"I'm guessing you didn't find what you were looking for?" Sam interrupted the silence.
"Not a thing," she admitted. She heaved a great, dramatic sigh and shook her head. "Nobody knows exactly why she was fired or even where that damn rumor started about her doing something with one of the bosses."
"Have you tried asking your dad?"
"Yeah, but he told me he didn't know what happened to her. She was there one day and the next there was a notice of termination on his desk."
"Where'd the notice come from?"
"From the twentieth floor. It was signed by the president, but no one gets much of an answer from him about anything. It's like he's a ghost or something."
"Doesn't he come to board meetings?" Sam recalled how Davies had mentioned occasionally seeing the president, so she assumed the rest of the board saw something of him. She didn't know how a company could run with their president being so mysterious.
"Sometimes he phones in, but other than that there's no sign of him. He must be pretty old by now, though, since the company was founded by him about sixty years ago."
"Wait." Sam put a hand on her friend's arm to arrest their walk. "Are you telling me nobody knows what this guy looks like?"
"Nope. The only thing they know is that it is a guy. The voice is all gravelly and deep, and that's all anyone knows about him. Oh, and his name is Dave Ose."
"Ose?" Sam frowned as they started walking again. They were on a deadline, after all. "That's a strange name."
"Yeah, not sure where it's from." By that time they'd arrived at her apartment and Slinky nodded at the kitchen. "I don't know what you cook, so I bought a whole bunch of stuff for you to make something."
"So I don't get treated to your killer scrambled eggs?" Sam teased.
"I had some this morning, so I'm all killered out."
"Well, I'll see what I can do."
Sam had her work cut out for her. Not only were they on a schedule, but the food Slinky had bought was so mismatched she wasn't sure she had all the necessary ingredients for anything. Finally she managed some toasted cheese sandwiches. She'd need to make a list of the missing items before she could make anything other quick meals. The
y leisurely at it and began the short journey back to the office.
"I might not see you again for the rest of the day," Slinky informed. She let out a complimentary burp and patted her stomach. "I'm gonna go ask around again and see if I can't find anything."
"Haven't you talked with everybody yet?"
"Hey, it's a big building and I'm following any lead I can. Besides, my dad wants to take me out to dinner early, so I gotta get all dressed up." She wrinkled her nose at the idea.
"Why's he taking you out?"
"He's trying to get me hitched to one of the son's of a business partner." Her mood grew dark and she scowled. "I feel like he's auctioning me off to the highest bidder."
"Is the guy nice?"
"Yeah, I guess, but I'm not ready to settle down. You know, have kids and stuff."
"At least you're able to make that choice," Sam pointed out. "A lot of people can't have a kid because they have to work."
"You mean like you?" Slinky guessed. Sam shrugged her shoulders. "You ever thought about settling down?"
"Yeah, but I haven't found Mr. Right yet, just a couple of duds."
"What about Mr. Davies?" There was a sly grin on Slinky's lips.
"What about him?" Sam couldn't stop the blush on her cheeks.
"He seemed pretty interested in you in the elevator, and you already got called to his office for some work. I've never so much as been on the twentieth floor." She pulled out the key ring with the duplicates. "I need to try these things, too, before Mr. Cass turns me into the police, but it looks like that'll have to be another day."
"Would he really do that?"
"I'm not sure, but he's crazy enough I'm not going to tempt him." She stuffed the keys firmly back into her pocket. "I was gonna ask you if you wanted to go out on a dinner date with me this weekend."
"This relationship is starting to sound serious," Sam teased.
"Don't get any ideas," Slinky scolded, for once the voice of reason. "I don't swing that way. Besides, like I was saying the other day, I don't get a chance to treat a friend who hasn't already been to these fancy places."
"I guess, but it depends on when you're going to break into the building to get to that top floor," Sam slowly replied.
"Why's that?"
"I won't have any money to bail you out of jail after they catch you."
"Bah, they won't catch me, I'm sneakier than they are." She had a thoughtful expression on her face as she tapped her chin. "Now what day to try my sneaking..."
"Maybe tomorrow?" The day was only Thursday. "Or maybe come in on the weekend if your dad would let you? That way there'd be nobody up there."
"Hmm, not a bad idea," Slinky mused as she rubbed her chin. "And I bet one of these things opens the front doors, too, so I won't even have to tell my dad about it." She evilly grinned and rubbed her hands together. She glanced over at her friend as they entered their office building. "Care to join me in the fun?"
"I'll have to see how I'm feeling. I'm kinda tired already and it's not even Friday."
"I'll take that as a 'maybe' and hope for the best." She glanced over at the side door which led to the mail room. "I think I'll go grill Mr. Cass again. He's pretty forgetful, so maybe he's remembered something that might help."
They parted ways and Sam went back to the drudgery of the afternoon. She somehow managed to keep herself busy with errands from the board members and working around the stack of folders. Mrs. Winkle hadn't told her what to do with the pile, so she was stuck with it until further instructions.
As the minutes ticked by until five, Sam had an unpleasant thought that didn't sit well. She had no idea how she was going to get home. Davies had given her the free ride and the distance was too far to walk. She had the option of going by bus, but wasn't exactly comfortable. Unfortunately, there really didn't seem to be any other choice. Slinky couldn't drive and she knew of no one else who would give her a lift.
Her problem of a ride was still bothering her when the clock struck five o'clock. One of her fellow coworkers noticed her hesitation in leaving as they passed by her cubicle.
"You feeling okay? Got a bad stomach or something?"
"No, I'm fine." She didn't want to beg for a ride from someone she hardly knew, and that would cause her to either lie or admit the truth about why she was without a vehicle.
"It's almost time to leave. Want me to walk you to your car in case you keel over or something?" Sam could've appreciated her acquaintance's kindness more if she hadn't been so distracted.
"What? Oh, no, that's fine. I gotta finish up some stuff here and I'll be going." The coworker didn't look like she believed her, but she went on her way.
Five o'clock rolled around and Sam waited until the elevator doors closed behind her fellow coworkers before she breathed a sigh of relief. That was one obstacle overcome, now all she needed to do was catch that bus. That meant she had to get an idea of the bus schedule and locations, and she took the chance now to look at the list for tonight. Thankfully she was in luck and there was a stop a few blocks away. A bus would be heading out of there in about twenty minutes which ran moderately close to her home.
"Bingo," she muttered to herself. She printed out the directions and schedule, and stuffed both into her coat pocket.
Sam swirled around to exit her cubicle. She found Mrs. Winkle standing in the entrance. Sam jerked back out of surprise and not a little fear. Her supervisor had dark circles beneath her eyes and her arms lay straight against her sides. Her hands were balled into fists and she looked like was wanted to strike at anything close enough. Sam didn't want to be that thing close enough.
"Mrs. Winkle, I didn't hear you," she managed to choke out. She scrambled for her purse and rose to her feet. "Is there something-"
"Shut up." The tone was cold and hard, and it stopped Sam in her tracks. "I know what you're trying to do, you little bitch."
"Mrs. Winkle, I don't kn-"
"Shut up!" Her face was turning a terrible shade of red and her body was starting to tremble in rage. "Don't pretend you don't know what's going on! I won't stand to be replaced by a worthless little bitch like you!"
"What the hell are you talking about?" This was starting to make Sam angry, too, but she still wanted to just escape from this madwoman. "I just want to get home." The clock was ticking and she would miss the last bus anywhere close to her home. "Now if you'll get out of my way."
Sam tried to shove her way passed the smaller, older woman. She thought she'd succeeded as she moved out into the hall, but one of those clawed hands reached out and grabbed her arm.
"Let go!" she shouted. She frantically tried to shove her off as she looked around for help, but everyone else had left. It was only her and her crazed supervisor. "Get the hell off me!"
"You won't get him, I tell you!" Winkle shouted. Her long fingers began to dig into Sam's arm as she tried to get out of the vice-like grip. "I've worked too hard for too long to let you get him!"
"Mrs. Winkle!"
They both stopped and their eyes shot toward the door which led to the twentieth floor. Mr. Smith held open the door and it looked like Mr. Davies had just stepped out. He wore a deep frown on his face and his narrowed eyes glanced between the two woman with barely contained anger. Sam flinched at the expression, but Winkle started blubbering.
"I-I didn't mean anything, Mr. Davies." She let go of Sam like she'd just been burned by fire. "I was just giving her a lecture on...on proper ways to address you."
"Do you think I'm that stupid, Mrs. Winkle?" he sharply questioned as he stalked down the hall with Smith at his heels. "What is the meaning of you interfering with my private matters?"
"I-I just...it's just." She glanced between the three accusing faces, but she stopped at Sam's. Her young charge was too confused and frightened to have a triumphant expression on her face, but there was something Winkle saw that she didn't like. It made her bold. "Sir, I would like an explanation."
"What's there to explain?" he questioned.<
br />
"Why have you given this...this girl," she spat out the word like it was lower than filth. "Why have you chosen her to fulfill this position? You know Miss Taylor was more competent."
"Miss Taylor did not satisfy all the requirements, as you were aware when she was discharged." There was a warning in his tone that she chose to disregard.
"I must protest her hiring! I was not given a chance to evaluate her qualifications!" Her face was red and her hands were clenched tightly into fists.
"Mrs. Winkle, I recommend you watch yourself," he slowly warned. His tone revealed a patience which was quickly reaching its end. "Unless you would like to join Miss Taylor in the unemployment line." Mrs. Winkle paled and didn't argue. "Do you understand?"
"Y-yes, sir." Sam would have triumphed over her cowing, but she felt more pity than glee. Mrs. Winkle's eyes were filled with tears and her shoulders were slumped. "Will that be all?"
"Yes, Mrs. Winkle. You may go home now."
The supervisor turned to pass by Sam, and the other employee froze. Sam had never seen such a look of indescribable hate in her whole life, and the malice wad directed completely at her. Mrs. Winkle didn't speak, however, but merely stalked passed her and to her office. The three watched her grab her purse and coat from her office and take an elevator down to the lobby. Davies didn't say a word until the doors to the elevator had firmly shut.
"I must apologize for her behavior," he commented with a shake of his head. "She's never been so disagreeable to anyone else."
"It's fine. She's probably right about my qualifications, anyway." Sam could be bothered by it later, but right now she had to figure out a way home.
"Don't consider yourself less gifted because of the jealousies of a supervisor," Davies insisted. "It doesn't do you justice."
"Jealous? What's she got to be jealous of me for?" She was younger, to be sure, but her position was nothing of which to be jealous.
"I'd be glad to explain in my limo." He smiled when her face brightened up. "I was sure you were in need of a ride when I remembered I'd brought you myself." He offered her his hand. "Care for a stroll to the parking garage?"
"With pleasure."
Arm in arm they led Mr. Smith down the elevators and into the garage. The limo was parked not far and everyone slid into the same places as that morning. The engine started up and Sam was glad to be in a comfortable seat with a quick ride home. They still had traffic to contend with, however, so it was going to take a few minutes to get to her apartment.