Page 82 of Reclaiming Love

Chapter 45

“They found images on his work PC,” Nadine said scornfully. “He obviously thought he was too smart for everyone. He thought he could get away with it.”

“Does he know of my involvement in this?” Melissa asked.

Nadine shook her head. “No. Neither do the people in HR. Let’s say the IT manager owes me a few favors. I let him know that we had suspicions of some activity, but that we couldn’t prove it without the evidence. I merely asked him to take a look discreetly. He checked a couple of PCs, not only Mr. Elliott’s. Apparently, they found nothing personal on his machine, no images of you or anyone else. Some porn, some of it hardcore.”

“What happens next?”

“He’s been suspended temporarily. With immediate effect.”

“And then?”

“I guess a suspension should be enough of a warning. He’ll be off work for two weeks without pay. That should hit him where it hurts.”

Melissa breathed a sigh of relief. It still didn’t stop the guy from bumping into her on the way in and out of work though. And he knew where she lived. She felt uneasy.

“Are you alright with this?” Nadine asked gently.

Melissa nodded. She’d have to be. She’d gone through worse.

“I’m here for you. My door is always open, if you need to talk or anything. I don’t suppose this is over completely,” she added, trying to make the situation sound better than it was. “I’ve requested that he not deal with any support calls on this floor.”

Melissa appreciated it. And wondered what she was going to do when Nadine left her in the lurch for a year or more. As if reading her thoughts, Nadine added. “This should all blow over by Easter. Don’t worry. I’m here until then.”

“Is it all set? Your transfer abroad?” asked Melissa, her nerves were already frayed. The thought of only having Nadine around for another couple of months unsettled her completely.

“I’ll still come over for a few visits,” she offered, not sounding completely convinced herself.

“It won’t be the same, will it?”

“No,” Nadine replied wearily, “it won’t be the same at all.” She had that same faraway look on her face again, and Melissa didn’t want to ask how Ethan was taking to this news. Nadine was already dealing with enough on her plate as it was, without having to wade in and deal with Melissa’s crap too.

“Thank you—for all that you’ve done for me.” Melissa meant it more than Nadine would ever know. The idea of losing a great woman boss, someone who looked out for her as well as mentored her was beginning to hit her.

Two sharp knocks on the door announced trouble. Before answering, Nadine asked her, “I’ll keep you posted on events as they unfold. You let me know anytime you need to talk. Okay?”

Melissa nodded and smiled as another sharp knock followed.

“Thanks, Nadine.” She headed toward the door and when she opened it, Sandra burst in.

“Michael wants me to sit in when you deal with Noble Vintage or Flight from now on.”

“Is that all?” asked Nadine, the expression on her face incredulous.

“Someone’s got to look after your high-profile accounts while you’re off for the year.”

“I’ll still have a handle on those accounts,” Nadine told her firmly. Melissa watched their sparring and kept out of the way.

“Not according to Michael,” said Sandra testily.

“I’ll clear it with Michael first. And for the record, Sandra, I don’t consider my time in Europe, no matter how long, to be time off. That might be your experience of working abroad, but I can tell you it certainly wasn’t mine.” Nadine walked to the door, rolled her eyes at Melissa and waited for Sandra to exit. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to speak to Michael and tell him exactly how my high-profile accounts will be handled while I am away.”

Sandra hurtled out of the door and along the hallway, as Melissa let out a sigh of relief. She felt sorry for Nadine. Despite this crap going on in her own life, Nadine had been a tower of strength to her, even though she was putting out fires at home and at work.

She felt relieved to be back at her desk, working in the role she had without ever having to deal with the kind of stress her boss endured.

The thought of Matt suspended from work gave her a modicum of relief. Unable to accept that it was all over, she still felt as if there was more trouble lurking around the corner.

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