When she caught a shadow in her doorway from the corner of her eye, her breath hitched, her heartbeat pounding erratically until she recognized Gary.
“Oh, it’s you. I didn’t hear you come in. You startled me.”
He lowered his head and walked in, his shoulders rounded. He fell into the chair opposite her desk, rubbing his eyes. Gary sat quietly, staring at the floor. Baylee shifted uncomfortably in her chair. He seems so sad. I am totally getting canned.
She cleared her voice. “Gary, I know why you wanted to talk to me.”
He lifted his head and gazed at her, his eyebrows raised. “You do?”
“Yes, and I know this is hard for you. I mean, you’ve known me since I was born.”
His eyes glistened.
Oh, my God. It looks like he’s going to cry. He must really not want to fire me.
“But it’s okay. I understand.”
Gary’s eyes widened. “You do?”
She nodded. “I screwed up. I knew the firm’s policy, and I got involved with Axe anyway. I know you can’t make an exception because you and my mom went back a long way, and I wouldn’t want you to. I take full responsibility. I only ask that you, Bob, and Warner give me a good recommendation.”
Tilting his head to the side, Gary said uncertainly, “You think we’re firing you? That’s crazy. You’re one of our best employees. We decided to make you partner.” His smile faded. “Isn’t it ironic?”
“Wait, you mean I still have my job and I’m a partner?”
He nodded. She squealed then jumped out of her chair, her thoughts scattered.
“This is awesome, Gary. Oh, thank you!”
She hugged his stiff body and gave him a peck on the cheek. Pulling back, she placed her hand on his wet cheek.
“You’re crying. Why?”
He opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He lowered his head again.
“Gary, talk to me. Are you sick, or something?”
“I’m sorry,” he choked out.
“For what?”
“For being a coward,” a cold voice said.
Baylee spun around. “What are you doing here?” she asked Stephen Rodgers, then gasped as she stared into his flinty green eyes.
Eyes she’d seen before. In her dreams.
Her nightmares.
Baylee’s limbs went weak and she fell back, hitting the corner of the desk. Looking at Gary, she noticed he avoided her gaze.
“Gary? What’s going on?” she asked weakly.
Gary lowered his head while shaking it.
Stephen Rodgers loomed over the crumpled man. “You empathetic piece of shit. I should’ve taken care of you years ago.”
As reality began to sink in, icy shivers weaved through her, and she pressed her fists to the side of her face. Black spots moved in front of her eyes and she gasped for breath. I can’t pass out. I’m in danger! Holding onto the desk, she steadied herself right before Logan burst into the office.
“Sorry I’m late.” He smiled broadly at the group.
“Who the fuck is he, and why is he here?” Stephen snarled.
“He’s an employee. I don’t know why he’s here,” Gary said in a monotone voice.
“I’m here for the meeting.” Logan looked at Baylee, confusion evident on his face.
“There’s no meeting. Too bad you came,” Stephen Rodgers snarled.
Before Logan could utter another word, a shot filled the room. As Logan fell back, blood oozing from his chest, Baylee placed her hands over her ears, her screams drowned out by the deafening gunfire. She leapt toward the door, stepping over Logan’s motionless body. A strong arm yanked her hair, dragging her back into the room.
“Our meeting isn’t over, Baylee,” Stephen sneered.
Baylee twisted out of his hold, her eyes landing on a large, angry scar running up his forearm. She clutched her throat as the sound of her heartbeat thrashed in her ears.
“You! You killed my mother! Why? She didn’t know you. You’re fucking crazy!”
“You’re wrong. She knew me very well. She was always teasing me with her low-cut blouses. She had nice breasts. Just like you.” His finger traced right above her camisole’s neckline.
She forced the bile down. “You sick bastard.”
“Maybe, but I didn’t kill her for that. I killed her because she couldn’t keep her mouth shut. Gary warned her, too, but she was so high and mighty. She was going to turn us in to the police. If she would’ve kept her nose out of our business, we wouldn’t be here now. But…”
It was as if someone had sucker-punched her. She stared at Gary. “You were responsible for my mother’s murder? You were her friend. She was so close to you. How could you let her die? You sonofabitch!”