Page 33 of The Burnt
“My, you are a skittish one,” she said. “About the filing you didn’t get around to—would you like to keep the files onyourcases inyourfiling cabinet, or in with the main office files with Declan’s?”
“Which would be best for you?” he asked cautiously.
“I think you’re more than capable of handling your own files. And that way, they’ll be at arm’s reach and I’ll have less filing to do,” she said.
Mrs Beckerman handed him the slim folder containing the Chipping files. “Now—is there anything you need from me right now or can I get on with filing?”
“No, ma’am.”
“Charlie—no need to be formal. We’ll be working together. You can call me Mrs B.”
“Thanks… Mrs B.”
She headed back to her desk.
Charlie sorted out all of the old cables she’d given him, then labelled them and stowed them in the bottom drawer of his filing cabinet. He moved all of the security system manuals out of the cupboard in the kitchenette and organised them in his bookcase. When he glanced up, Mrs B was smiling at him.
“You remind me so much of Declan when he was first starting out. Eager to look professional. When I first met him, he was terrified that someone would expose him as a complete novice when it came to running the business. I told him from the wordgo it was clear he needed help andIwas the person to help him. I don’t think he even offered me the job. I just took it.”
“You’re kidding?”
“It’s true. I like to think of myself as a good judge of people, and in spite of the fact he was so nervous, he treated me with kindness and respect. I knew he was a good person.”
Charlie just nodded his head.
“My instinct says the same about you. We’re going to get along just fine, Charlie Watts.”
Charlie breathed a sigh of relief and his shoulders relaxed.
“Now, if you’ll kindly tell me where my computer password Post-It note has gone…”
Charlie ran over to her desk with a new Post-It note that said ‘WelcomeBackMrsB5%’. “This will be more than secure enough and save you time.”
“Thank you.”
Just then Declan descended the stairs from above and poked his head out from the inner office. “I hope you’re playing fair, Mrs. B.”
She smiled, but didn’t say a word.
Declan turned to Charlie and said in a serious tone, “Can you come into my office? We need to talk about your interview with Simon Griffin.”
Charlie smiled weakly. “Sure.”
Why do I feel like I’ve done something wrong?
Chapter Thirteen
Declan sat down behind his desk and Charlie took the chair opposite.
Declan nodded his head toward the closed door, then said in a quiet voice, “So, how’s it going out there?”
“Pretty well,” Charlie replied.
“Interesting, because when Mrs B and I started to work together, that woman terrified me.”
Charlie let out a long breath. “So, it’s not just me. I think it’s those laser-beam eyes of hers.”
“Ahhh, then you’ve already experienced the power of the Beckerman stare.”
