Winds of Fire, стр. 36
Haley screwed up her face. “I don't think so.” Her voice dropped to a low pitch. “Everyone who goes in or out of Becca's office has to pass by my desk. I told you mine is closest to Becca's office. Anyway, the day she brought the baby, I heard Becca shouting hysterically at her. Before when the woman visited, never a peep came from the office. The whole office heard Becca screaming. I'm assuming someone alerted Mr. Longman because a few minutes later he rushed into Becca's office. Obviously he couldn't calm her because her shrieking continued. I couldn't make out what she was saying, but it most likely had something to do with the baby. I felt so sorry for the poor little thing having to listen to that commotion. After about ten minutes things finally calmed down. Mr. Longman and the blonde with the baby exited the office.” She shook her head. “What was odd about the whole thing was that Mr. Longman was smiling as he left. I couldn't figure out why after what had just transpired. I was hoping that maybe Becca had finally been given her walking papers, but no such luck.”
“That does seem strange,” Frankie agreed.
“What's even stranger is the fact that Becca keeps getting away with her horrible treatment of people. Anyone else would be fired in a heartbeat. We have discussed it in the office and no one can understand it. There are a couple of women and one guy who have been here for years and they said it's almost as though Becca has a stake in the company and can't be terminated.” Haley's eyes narrowed.
“There could be some truth in that. Otherwise what would be the connection?” Frankie asked.
“Yes, but what is the connection? Becca has Mr. Longman by the balls. We were thinking that she has something on him. Whatever it is must be pretty damaging for him to allow her to stay. Don't you think?” she asked lifting an eyebrow.
Chapter 10
Frankie watched Haley and Mary, the woman Johanna had just interviewed, depart. She kept her eyes glued on the door assuming two more would immediately enter to take their place as had been the norm. She glanced at Johanna and shrugged. Five minutes later Johanna removed her reading glasses as she made her way to where Frankie sat drumming her fingertips impatiently on the tabletop.
“Maybe no one else wants to be interviewed,” Johanna said and then frowned.
Frankie looked pointedly at her. “I don't think so. Have you managed to get anything worthwhile?”
“I did.” Johanna grinned. “And you?”
“The last one had some very interesting facts.” Before she could say anything further, the door swung open and Jayne rushed in.
Her expression was anything but friendly as she approached them. For a fleeting moment Frankie was afraid that one of the women had mentioned some of the inappropriate questions.
“Sorry for the delay. The scheduling got mixed up and I'm trying to straighten it out,” Jayne explained.
Frankie was relieved that it had nothing to do with them.
“I hope this won't be an inconvenience,” Jayne continued.
“Not at all,” Frankie quickly reassured her. “We can wait.”
“Good.” Her face relaxed. “I have a few men who have agreed to the interview, but won't be available for an hour or so. But there should be a few more women in the meantime.” She glanced at the wall clock. “I have a meeting in a few minutes. If no one shows up in fifteen minutes, please go to the counter in the lobby and let them know. They'll be taking care of the scheduling.” She smiled. “I'm looking forward to my interview after my meeting. I should be finished in about an hour or so. I'll also have the agreement ready for your signatures.” She abruptly turned on her heel and was out the door before either of them could utter a response.
“Perfect,” Frankie replied even though Jayne was long gone. She looked at Johanna. “Do you want to hang around?”
“Do you think we'll get a chance to interview Becca Manning?”
“I doubt it, but even if she did agree, she won't give us anything.”
“You're itching to get out of here. Why?” Johanna asked.
“I think I've got enough. And you said you have something. Let's not waste any more time here.”
“Should we just leave? What will be our excuse?”
“Why do we need one? Do you really want to interview Jayne and sign her agreement?” She pursed her lips.
“No, but what do we do? Just walk out?”
She nodded. “Do you have a better idea?”
She shook her head. “What will we say if someone sees us leaving?”
“I don't know. We'll wing it.” She shrugged. “Maybe no one will even notice. Let's not waste any more time discussing it. Someone could be headed here right now for an interview. The sooner we leave the better.”
“Okay,” Johanna agreed. “Let's go.”
“Let me just leave a note on the table that says we'll be right back just to be on the safe side.”
After Frankie scribbled the note, they grabbed their bags and then Frankie opened the door and cautiously peered down the hallway. A couple of women had just turned the corner at the opposite end of the hallway. “Hurry,” she whispered to Johanna. “Those two might be headed here.”
“You left a note,” Johanna said.
“Right, but I don't feel like having to explain in person where we're going.”
“Because you haven't figured that out yet.”
Frankie chuckled. “You're right. We'll just pretend we didn't see them.” She tugged Johanna's arm. “At least I left them a note. Let's go.”
Frankie closed the door behind them and without glancing back to see where the two women were, they quickly made their way to the end of the hall. They stopped and pretended to be chatting while Frankie glanced around the corner. She whispered close to Johanna's ear, “Let's be as quiet as possible. It looks like they're all busy and not paying attention to who's coming and going on