Holy crap. How’d he get in to plant cameras? The facility was covered in security.
“They’re all over, Frankie,” Stark continued. “Stick to your floor. We got eyes on you and your crew. We also got eyes on Furlock. I got local talent at my back and they’re at the ready in case somethin’ goes down, which it won’t, so don’t let that freak you. These are just precautions.”
“Uh…okay,” I replied.
“The team went over what was on the drives. It’s good. Wheels are in motion. Bianchi called and reported your schedule for the day. Stick to it.”
“Tandy is comin’ with us to lunch,” I informed him.
“Good,” he replied. “Travis Berger’s assistant is about to schedule an urgent meeting for him tonight at six. We’ll call you after that’s done. You with me?”
I looked to my computer screen and mumbled, “Uh-huh.”
“Right. Be good,” he said as his good-bye, and I didn’t get the chance to say anything witty or sassy back because he’d disconnected.
I barely put my phone on my desk before I saw Heath, a white envelope in hand, walking out of his office, gaze to his shoes.
I looked to Sandy, who didn’t even glance his way. Then, I didn’t want to but I couldn’t stop myself, my eyes went quickly to Bierman’s office.
He was watching Heath, his expression smug.
Something about this made me feel suddenly elated.
If he was smug about Heath, he had no idea what was coming.
And that was awesome.
My gaze went back to Heath and I watched him look up. When he did, his eyes caught on something that made him stop dead.
I looked that way and saw Lloyd heading to my office.
He smiled at my assistant and said, “Good morning, Tandy,” as he passed right by her and came to my door, where he stopped. “Hey, Frankie. Good weekend?” he asked.
“Yeah, you?”
“Yes, Frankie. Thanks.” He tipped his head to the side. “You have a second to sit down with Travis and me?”
Travis and him. The big boss, my boss, and me?
This was a surprise and it took a lot to stop my eyes from going to the camera.
“Sure,” I replied, rolling back my chair and grabbing my cell.
“Nothing to worry about,” Lloyd said. “Travis and I just want to talk to you about your plans to move to Chicago.”
Here it was. They’d made their decision.
I hoped this was good news part two of the day, but whatever it was, it was an important question about my future that needed an answer and I was about to get it.
I nodded to Lloyd and he got out of my way so I could precede him.
“We’re meeting in Travis’s office,” he told me as he fell in step beside me.
“Lloyd,” Heath called, and Lloyd and I looked his way. “After you talk with Frankie, you got a minute?”
“Of course, Heath. It shouldn’t take long with Frankie,” Lloyd answered.
Heath nodded and, avoiding Sandy’s eyes, went back to his office.
I went with Lloyd to Travis’s office.
As I walked in, I saw that Travis Berger was a man who did not have to prove how busy and important he was. He was not on the phone, his computer, reading a file, or scribbling notes when we approached. He watched us, eyes on me, face blank. There was something about this that made me respect him more. He needed my time, and somehow, him watching me come into his office for an impromptu meeting communicated that this meeting was important, I was important, and he wanted me to have his attention.
Greetings were exchanged. A seat was offered. I took it. Lloyd seated himself in the chair beside me in front of Travis’s desk, then Travis asked, “Would you like Penny to get you some coffee?”
I hadn’t been to the pot yet today and could use a shot of joe, but I still shook my head no.
Travis leaned back, laced his fingers, and put them to his flat midriff. His eyes did not move to Lloyd. They remained on me.
Then he started talking.
“Lloyd has told me you have something happening in your life and that means you wish to move back to Chicago.”
I nodded and confirmed, “Yes.”
He studied me a moment and his voice was quieter when he said, “Our choice to hire you was excellent and we’ve in no way regretted it, even after your delay in starting with us.”
I did not think a reminder of that boded well.
He went on.
“Your supervisor respects you. The staff likes you. Your reps perform for you. However, even if it’s our policy to allow employees to work at home and do this regularly, it’s not our policy to allow employees to work from remote offices.”
Bad news.
Shit.
“Of course,” I said softly.