Winds of Fire, стр. 33

“I can assure you that he's not,” Rae said. “I do like my job. The pay and benefits are exceptional and most of the time everyone really is pleasant. It's just a few gossips, but I've learned to ignore them.”

“That's the best thing to do. It sounds as though outside of the petty gossip, everything is perfect.” She tapped her pen on the page of the notebook where she'd been scribbling notes. “I had a thought. Is your supervisor aware of the gossip? Most won't tolerate it if it makes the working environment too unbearable.”

“It hasn't been bad enough to report.” She frowned. “I take it in your case your supervisor didn't help you.”

Johanna shook her head. “No. She wouldn't listen. The gossips acted like high school bullies.”

“That's how some of them are here. They need to grow up. I don't really have many dealings with my supervisor, but the few times I have she's been pleasant. As long as the work is completed, she's happy.” She leaned forward.

Johanna noticed the change in her. Rae's body language spoke volumes even if the woman hadn't. She was deeply distressed. She opened her mouth and then closed it as if trying to put her thoughts into the proper words. Johanna waited for her to speak.

Rae eyed her guardedly. “If I tell you something, you're sure it will be strictly off the record?”

“You have my word.” Johanna hoped Rae was about to give her something she could use.

“Well,” she paused and bit her lip. After drawing a deep breath, she continued. “Every time I've been in the employees' lounge, I've heard the employees in the finance department snickering and making derogatory comments behind their supervisor's back.”

“So they obviously don't have the same pleasant relationship you do with yours.” Johanna tried to contain her rising excitement. Certainly Rae was referring to Becca Manning, but she knew she had to play dumb. “Are you upset with their lack of loyalty to their supervisor?”

She emphatically shook her head. “Oh no. I've seen her a few times and she's a real bitch.” She bit her lip again. “I shouldn't have said that, but Becca Manning goes out of her way to intimidate everyone. She acts like she owns the company.”

“You're entitled to your opinion. Has she said something directly to you?”

“No, not directly. But shortly after I began working here, she made it clear on my only direct meeting with her that if Mr. Longman made any uncomfortable gestures towards any female employees I was to let her know.”

“That's an odd thing for her to say,” Johanna replied. “Why would anyone go to her with a complaint? That's what human resources are for.”

She shook her head. “No one dares go to them. If they do, they won't be employed here for long.”

“That's illegal.”

“Maybe so, but like I said, the pay and benefits are better than we'd find elsewhere.” She shrugged. “If you saw Becca Manning you'd understand why her employees are making fun of her.” She paused. “She has a strange infatuation with Mr. Longman,” she whispered. “I doubt he'd ever be attracted to her, though. The way she acts borders on the ridiculous where he's concerned.”

“Maybe the employees should meet with him and voice their concerns about Becca Manning.”

“See, that's the thing. It won't do any good. For some odd reason he lets her get away with everything. She can do no wrong in his eyes.”

“Has anyone been fired because of her?”

“No, only warned. One of the employees who had a confrontation with Becca said Mr. Longman was very polite, but made it clear he wasn't going to take any action on the complaint against Becca.”

“That is odd,” Johanna agreed without further speculation. She decided to change her line of questioning. “Have you ever met Mrs. Longman?”

“Yes, a few times.” Her eyes brightened. “She's one of the sweetest women you'd ever meet. I haven't seen her in a while, though.”

Johanna looked over Rae's shoulder and noticed Frankie slightly nod her head in her direction and then tap her wristwatch. She glanced at her own wristwatch. She smiled again at Rae. “I'm afraid our time is almost up, Rae,” she apologized.

Rae frowned. “I suppose there's not much I said that you can use in the article.”

Johanna couldn't help but notice the disappointment in Rae's eyes. “You'd be surprised. From the positive things you did say, I believe I can attribute a very nice portion to you.”

A satisfied smile broke across Rae's face as she stood.