Page 12 of Corrupt Game

Everything else seemed in place and surprisingly, she was qualified for the job at hand beyond her looks and personality. Her skills with data research would come in handy.

“Rossi will give you the contract and take care of any other issues,” I instructed in a dismissive tone as I collected my coat, draping it over my arm.

He appeared behind me with the papers.

With a slight nod to Rossi, I opened the large oak doors and walked out without giving Colette a second look. I paused by the reception desk and greeted Kathy with a smile.

“Kathy, I believe that we found our candidate for today. You may send everyone else home.”

“Yes, sir,” she answered easily.

“Also, I just wanted to make sure you knew that I will be out for the rest of the week, while I get the new assistant oriented.” I kept my back to the room’s waiting occupants, the better to ignore them. “How’s your mom doing?”

Her mother had had knee replacement surgery the week before. Kathy had been fretting about how it was going to go. Her mother would have a hard time staying off her knee for any length of time, and I knew it had been a difficult adjustment for my receptionist not being there for her mother.

“She’s doing well. Thank you for asking, sir.” Kathy smiled. “She really appreciated the flowers you sent. I can’t believe you got her Stargazer lilies, they’re her favorite.”

“Well, you do a great job for us. We like to extend our gratitude, which includes taking care of your family, too. She should have her favorite flowers to brighten up the room.”

Kathy smiles. “There was a call for you while you were interviewing Ms DeLandro. From Mr. Johnson. He wouldn’t say what it was regarding. Just that you needed to call him back, and that he felt it was an urgent matter.” She handed me a slip of paper with a phone number written on it in her neat, precise handwriting.

“That is highly unusual.” I frowned.

“Yes, sir. He seemed quite agitated.”

“All right. I’ll take care of it.”

Kathy rose from the desk and cleared her throat.

“I have an announcement…” she began, her tone firm but empathetic.

Hurriedly, I headed to the elevator, wanting to leave before any scene the rejected women might make. I didn’t have time to deal with emotional people. I learned from that mistake years ago.

I stepped onto the ground floor parking area moments later. My phone buzzed discreetly and the number on the paper Kathy had given me appeared on my cell phone.

How on earth this Johnson person discovered my private number was something I’d deal with later. Harshly. I did not appreciate my privacy being invaded.

Anger at the employee who had made such a major mistake sharpened my tone as I answered.

“Yes.”

“Um, yes, is this business your whole industry?”

An odd question, and also none of his business.

“How did you get this number?” I demanded, done with waiting.

“Well, I did my research, sir,” he began, stumbling over his words.

“That doesn’t bode well for you.” My voice dripped with anger and dark promise.

“Sir, the shipping director told me I needed to get in contact with you personally. But he wouldn’t tell me how to do it and left me with no other options.” The man, presumably Mr. Johnson, hada voice that sounded flustered, on the verge of some emotional breakdown.

“Then why are you calling me? Why isn’t he taking this call instead of some idiot that has no idea what he’s doing?” I kept my tone even while trying to regain control of my anger. The vein in my forehead pulsed, sending tiny jolts of pain through my head.

“Well, sir, he’s dead.” The last word squeaked out of him.

I muted the call.

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