Page 109 of Serial Killer Games

“Not really my wheelhouse, but was there a letter or email of termination?”

“No.”

“Then she wasn’t terminated and she was owed that paycheck.”

“Even if she wasn’t being given any work, and no one was supervising her and it was obvious that—”

“Jake,” Grant says, his voice persuasive and smooth. “Work-for-hire is a fixture in today’s highly competitive corporate world. It’s a strategy to sequester talent away from the competition. Even if your company doesn’tneedanother top-tier analyst or software engineer—or what have you—at least you can keep her away from assisting the competition, right? Do you see what I’m saying?” Essence of suave criminal defense lawyer condenses on the windows and drips all over the expensive leather upholstery. “She was given no reason to think her situation was anything other than that. And she showed up, didn’t she? She was available for work every day. Professional. Ready. Willing. We have character references and testimonials notarized and ready for submission at discovery—” He sketches in the details, falling in love with his own story.

“Got it, thanks,” I say.

His voice abruptly returns to normal. “I’ll always have your back. If you ever need a criminal defense lawyer—”

“I don’t plan on it.”

“I’m here when you need me. Oh, and Jake?”

“Yes?”

He clears his throat, and I know what’s coming. No. No, no, no.

“I was wondering if—”

We’re on W now. “Wendy? Wanda? What did you call this one?”

He sighs. “Willow.”

“No.”

“I need her out of here—Jake—please. I’ve been journaling.Everyoneneeds to journal, Jake. And I’m realizing things about myself. I’m afraid of rejection. I’m afraid of disappointing someone and failing in a relationship. I worksomuch. And the sex thing”—disgust and anguish enter his voice now—“it’s so hard to date when everyone expects that.” He sighs. “I just wanted to love someone. I wanted to have a person. I wanted to feelnormal.”

Twenty-three sex dolls in the pursuit of normalcy.

“I get it,” I say slowly. And I kind of do. Dodi did, right from the start. Being afraid someone won’t accept you as you are, being afraid of hurting other people, being afraid to share your secrets. And if you get past all that, being afraid of losing them.

“So can you throw her out for me when you come by for the car? I’ve got a full bag of compost under the sink too.”

I end the call.

There’s an accident on the bridge, which means I have to go north and take the other bridge, which takes me past Grant’s. On the other side, it’s going to be gridlocked all the way from the bridge to Dodi’s…I grit my teeth. I slam my brakes for a red light and another caller is announced by the dashboard screen:SPENCER & STERNS.

“What?”

Cynthia’s cool HR voice is on the other end. “I’ve been trying to get in touch with you. I have a piece of paperwork here on my desk with your name on it.”

“I don’t work for Spencer & Sterns. I’m atemp—”

“I make a point of wrapping up all unfinished business myself before my contracts expire,” she says firmly.

“—and it’s the day after Christmas.”

“I’m not sure I follow? If you are not an employee ofSpencer & Sterns, you are not enjoying paid time off right now. And I work on contract. I never stop working.”

She’s truly remarkable.

“If you have a moment to meet…?”

“Sure thing, Cynthia,” I spit at the dashboard screen. “But it’s theholidays. Come over now for some fruitcake and do an in-person exit interview. You have my address in your system. Come right up to the top floor.”

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