Chapter 27 #2
“This mirror?” Candace gingerly removes it from the wall and examines the back side before flicking her eyes to me. “Perhaps this explains why there was no note with the data. She had planned to give it to you in person.”
I take a page from her playbook and keep my mouth shut.
“Nothing else?” She glances around my office, maybe wondering as I did if other notes are shoved away in hiding.
“No. I think she’s waiting for me to look into the data.”
Candace just nods.
“Which of course doesn’t make any sense, since the data is fraudulent,” I stumble. “So maybe she’ll be in touch soon.” I need to either continue to not offer conjecture or get better at improvisation, and fast.
She’s quiet again.
Finally, I break. “Is there anything else?”
“Yes. I was just meeting with Hardwin. He mentioned some additional stress you’ve been under with home and getting ready for the board meeting on Monday.”
“He did?” I try to keep my voice neutral, but this is so annoying.
People telling me I’m under stress or not sleeping well or having some anxiety.
It crosses the line in an intimate way. I’ll choose when to share about my mental health or my sleep patterns.
In this case and in most cases, I’m open to feedback on my work product and conduct, not my personal life.
“He wanted me to give you something.” She pulls out an envelope from an inner suit pocket and hands it to me.
I draw back, my body protecting me from one more message.
“Take it, Meredith.”
I trap the word no behind my teeth as I force my hand to grip the creamy linen envelope, the weight of a formal invitation. Am I being invited to a party? By Candace and Hardwin? It wouldn’t be Candace and her husband. My fingers twitch.
Did she notice?
I slide a gilded gift certificate out of the envelope.
“It’s apparently to a nice place in Scarsdale.” Her voice lacks its usual staccato charm. I can’t quite read the tone. Sarcasm or maybe bewilderment? She never lets the security mask slip, especially with me.
I study the card—certainly is a nice place. Provisions is one of the top farm-to-table restaurants in the area. Clint and I used to make it a point to get there once a season but haven’t been there in years. Reservations take months to procure.
“You have a reservation for two at seven thirty tonight and—”
“A dinner reservation tonight?” I flip the thick card stock over, looking for the catch.
She rounds her eyes at me as if saying, Yes, that’s what I just said. “Also, you’ve been emailed details about a booking for a cottage Thursday night through Sunday in the Poconos. A thank-you for all the hard work.”
“I’m sorry.” I want to ask her to repeat herself but sense her growing frustration with me. I’m being rewarded? “You’re sending me on vacation to the mountains.”
“The company is.” Candace nods curtly. “Your hours have likely put strain on your family, and this is our way of supporting you.”
A chill runs up my arm holding the card—like they’re all reading out of the same playbook. Is it Hardwin’s idea to get me away from here, and from Betsey, until after her deadline?
“Time is a limited currency. Wouldn’t want you to waste it,” she says.
I swallow the stone lodged in my throat. Phil must have shared my email.
As if Candace can read my mind, her eyebrows slightly raise as if saying, Of course this is their way to get you away from your mess. Be thankful this is the direction the company is choosing to go.
“Maybe I can take some time next week? After the board meeting? I have a lot going on for the next few days.” I indicate all the folders and my computer on my desk.
My cell phone rings. It’s Clint. I expect Candace to excuse herself, but instead she remains completely at ease, as if the call is for both of us.
“Give me a minute,” I say.
She nods but doesn’t budge.
I press my lips against a sigh and answer the phone, but I’m suddenly unsure how to. We haven’t spoken since he accused me of purposefully not coming home. I blurt out the highly imaginative “Hi.”
“How are you?” Clint asks.
Not what I was expecting. He hasn’t asked that question in ages. Part of our counseling is to inquire and share specific information about ourselves, and not use platitudes or open-ended nonsense.
“I’m fine.” I can break the rules as well.
“Erika and I are leaving for her dentist appointment soon.”
“How is she?” It’s like we’re roommates talking about when our puppy needs to go out.
“On her phone.”
“What?” I spin around to face my couch and lower my voice. “But I have her phone.”
“She has a burner.” Now I hear it in his voice. He’s holding himself tight like he may erupt if left unchecked.
“A burn—” I twist to my left, and my eyes catch Candace’s. If she won’t leave, I will. I shoot up from my desk and my chair rolls back, slamming into my credenza. I leave it and walk out my door.
“Are you still there?” Clint’s voice takes an edge.
“Yes. Sorry. I had to get out of my office. She has a burner phone?”
“Had.” He lets out a heavy breath into the phone. “I had to wrestle it out of her hands.”
“Oh, Clint.” Makes sense now why she gave up her phone relatively easily yesterday.
“I know.”
I look through the glass doors to the central elevator bank. If Hardwin and Candace want me gone, maybe it’s time I just agree. My family has to come first. “I’ll meet you at the dentist.”
“Appreciate it. Question is, can I get her there? She’s locked herself in her room. I’ve decided to give her a minute, although we need to leave in forty-five if we’re going to make it.”
“Can I share an idea?”
“All ears.” If there is sarcasm in his tone, I don’t hear it.
“Remind her of the fifty-dollar cancellation fee. If she misses the appointment, it’s coming out of her account.”
“Not a bad idea.”
I glance back down the hallway toward my office. “I’ll meet you there.”
“You really will?” This time, maybe a tad of sarcasm.
I ignore the bait. “Yeah, maybe I’ll take a couple days off. Perhaps we can all get away to somewhere nice.”
“Who are you, and what have you done with my wife?” He chuckles without any pointy little edges. A sound I haven’t heard in far too long.
When I return to my office, Candace hasn’t moved.
“I’m heading home. Well, to the dentist first and then home. Please thank everyone who had a part in these gifts. We will enjoy them.”
“Good to hear.” Candace walks to the door and then turns right before leaving. “One more thing.”
I finish reentering my password to wake my computer and then look up.
“The fake customer data on the thumb drive. You didn’t make a copy?”
I glance down at my laptop and then back up at her. “My computer doesn’t allow outside USB drives.”
Candace remains staring at me.
“I pulled it up on my personal computer before handing it over. I needed to know if it was about work. It was just a thumb drive.”
She turns and glances in the small silver mirror, but she’s not looking at her own reflection.
“Copies?”
“I gave what I was given to Terrence.”
I hold my breath as I open my inbox to find an email about the cottage reservation. Access to the data is my leverage. I have a handful of copies stashed. My stomach rolls with acid. I need to get out of here.
I’m turning into someone I don’t recognize.
Her retreating footfalls echo in my ears.