by Leslie Wolfe
"Did he fire you?"
"No. After trying to talk to him, I realized I had no other options, and I quit. I couldn't just sit there, knowing he wanted me gone. I didn't want to wait for that shoe to drop, wondering when it was going to happen."
"Most people would have stayed put, while looking for something else. Pay a few more bills in the meantime," Mr. Isaac said, watching her reaction.
"I am not most people. In order to focus on damage control, I had to acknowledge the damage and discard all unnecessary weight, such as the dismissal waiting to happen pretending to be my job."
Mr. Isaac couldn't help but chuckle. "A good sense of humor is your best ally when times turn tough," he said, and resumed the interview questions. "I need to know how you see yourself as part of a team. No standard answer, please."
Alex took a deep breath. This was going to be one interview to remember.
"Well, it depends. A team is good to have around when you need someone's help, although I'm more comfortable on my own. I like to take full responsibility and full credit for my actions. The one thing I hate the most is office politics."
"Office politics?"
"Yes. For example, I'm minding my own business, while one coworker has nothing better to do and starts saying stuff about me. Before I know it, I end up asked to explain things I had nothing to do with. Or, here's another example, I am not given a promotion, because I am the only one who was too busy with work to be aware that the boss bought a new car, so I never had a chance to congratulate him on his excellent choice."
Alex looked up and smiled. It will be a miracle if I get this job, she said to herself.
"I totally agree, but this is not a perfect world we are living in. So, how do you manage to fit in the average corporate environment?" Mr. Isaac continued, undisturbed.
"I didn't say I can't do it; I just said I hated it," Alex replied.
"Oh. True. Let's move on. Where do you see yourself in five years?" Mr. Isaac gave an encouraging smile, as if to warn her to be honest.
"I really don't know; there are too many things to consider. If I win the lottery, then we might discuss what I really want to do in five years. If my luck continues to work the way it did so far, in five years I will be, most likely, interviewing for yet another job, and giving some recruiter exactly the answers he wants to hear. It's hard to say," she said, then shrugged and waited for another question.
"Do you have any questions for me?" Mr. Isaac offered.
Alex sighed thoughtfully.
"How many steps are in this interviewing process?"
"Just this. Based on this one interview, I will make my decision and let you know."
OK, now I know for sure I screwed up. He won't hire me, Alex thought. She was surprised to realize how saddened she was by this thought. She couldn't help feeling that the man in front of her was quite remarkable, and she would have liked him to appreciate her. She continued, out of curiosity.
"Thank you. I asked on my online form, 'Who are you?" And I'd also like to know what job did I apply for?"
Mr. Isaac leaned forward and smiled.
"I created The Agency 17 years ago, when a friend of mine, a business owner, got into some trouble. He had grown suspicious that someone was stealing his customer files and selling the info to his competition. In order to find out who that was, he hired me, not as an investigator, but as a payroll clerk. No one pays attention to the accounting clerks," he said with a chuckle and paused, letting the story and all its implications sink in.
As it did, surprise showed on her face. She saw the ramifications, the possibilities, and grew excited about the idea. Yes. Obviously, this idea worked. I'd love to do that for a living, yes I would, she thought, thinking fast. Not a moment of boredom, no office politics, actually use my brain, my dream come true. Plus they have to be paying really well. However, her enthusiasm abruptly cooled, why the hell is he telling me this stuff if he's not even going to call me for a second interview? She did not realize how well the man could read her thoughts, just by looking at her transparent features and bright, expressive eyes.
"Starting from that case," he continued, "I realized there was growing potential on the market for this kind of service. We are currently a small team of four people, and we need a fifth person. I'm looking specifically for someone with a little more computer knowledge than we currently have among us, to be able to work as an IT executive and assist with email and data-related fraud concerns."
She almost had tears in her eyes. I can't believe they won't hire me—no other job will ever compare, she thought. Mr. Isaac was now standing up, most likely preparing to show her out. Somehow, she found the courage and asked.
"Mr. Isaac, will you please tell me where I screwed up?"
"Who said you did? Let's go meet the guys. And please, call me Tom."
Her exhilarated scream was loud enough to make the receptionist wonder what the hell was going on back there.
~~~End Preview~~~
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bestselling author Leslie Wolfe is passionate about writing fiction, despite spending a significant number of years climbing the corporate ladder. Leaving the coveted world of boardrooms for the blissful peace of the Florida-based "Wolves’ den," Leslie answers one true calling: writing. To date, Wolfe has published seven novels.
Leslie’s novels break the mold of traditional thrillers. Fascinated by technology and psychology, Leslie brings extensive background and research in these fields, that empower and add texture to a signature, multi-dimensional, engaging writing style.
Leslie released the first novel, Executive, in October 2011. It was very well received by the public. It was followed thereafter by Devil's Move (2014), The Backup Asset (2015), The Ghost Pattern (2015), Operation Sunset (2016), Dawn Girl (2016), The Watson Girl (2017), and Glimpse of Death (2017). Leslie’s latest novel, Glimpse of Death, offers unique insight into the dynamics of a serial killing team, as well as an exploration of modern DNA forensics, in an entertaining, chilling thriller.
Leslie enjoys engaging with readers every day and would love to hear from you.
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Books by Leslie Wolfe
Tess Winnett Series
Dawn Girl
The Watson Girl
Glimpse of Death
Alex Hoffmann Series
Book One: Executive
Book Two: Devil’s Move
Book Three: The Backup Asset
Book Four: The Ghost Pattern
Book Five: Operation Sunset
Copyright © 2017 Leslie Wolfe
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the author, with the exception of brief quotations used in reviews and articles.
This is entirely a work of fiction. Characters, organizations, agencies, corporations, places, aircraft, and incidents depicted in this book are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, or events, is entirely coincidental.
The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for
third-party websites or their content.
Italics Publishing Inc.
Edited by Joni Wilson
Cover and interior design by Sam Roman
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