When The Lights Went Out...

by Judy Christenberry

  “I already know, Sharon. Are you all right?”

  “Of course I am! What did that idiot tell you? That I had sleeping sickness? I can’t believe he convinced my mother to follow his direction. It won’t happen again, I promise you, Andy.”

  “Kane wants you to get checked out. When you come in, you can set up an appointment.”

  Sharon didn’t argue the point now. But she would. First she had another phone call to make. She dialed again.

  “Mr. Waterton’s office,” a sweet voice said.

  With her teeth gritted together, Sharon, said, “Is he in?”

  “May I ask who’s calling?”

  “Sharon.”

  “Oh, just a minute, please.”

  Like he’d left instructions to always put her through. She didn’t think so.

  “Sharon? How are you this morning.”

  “Not so good since I’m missing half a day’s work, thanks to you. How dare you interfere in my business!”

  “I thought you needed the rest.” His voice was calm with just a tinge of amusement that drove her crazy.

  Spacing her words for emphasis, she said, “Don’t you ever make decisions for me again!” Then she hung up.

  She hoped she never saw the man again! Not that he’d seek her out, now that she’d assured him she had no intention of suing him. That had been his only concern. She headed for the kitchen and a glass of milk before she got ready for work. And maybe a scrambled egg or two. She needed her strength.

  When she showed up for work at noon, Alice was at her desk. “How are you, dear? Were you sick again this morning?”

  “No, Alice, I wasn’t.” She tried to keep her voice calm. After all, it wasn’t Alice’s fault she was late. “Someone decided I should sleep in and turned off my alarm.”

  “Maybe it was for the best,” Alice said, still smiling.

  “It won’t be for the best if I lose my job. They had no right to—never mind. I’m here now and I’ll get my work done.”

  “Of course you will. Here are your messages.” With a coy smile, she said, “That nice Mr. Waterton has called several times.”

  Sharon clenched her teeth and said nothing. That nice Mr. Waterton could call as much as he wanted, but she wasn’t going to return his calls.

  The one from Pete, Jack’s field manager, caught her eye. She hurriedly dialed his number.

  “Pete, this is Sharon. Is there a problem?”

  “Well, sort of. I can’t get hold of Jack and a vendor has a question about two statements he’s got. I just thought you could give us an answer.”

  “Is he still there?”

  “Yeah, he is. Can you come over now?”

  “I’ll be right there.”

  “Thanks, Sharon.”

  She sighed. Another ride on the elevator. She turned to Alice. “I’m going to the job site, Alice.”

  “Of course.”

  She grabbed her briefcase so she’d have a calculator and pen and paper and headed back to the elevators.

  When she crossed the street, she made her first stop at the temporary office to find her hard hat hanging on a nearby nail. She stuck it on her head and walked outside to meet Pete with a big barrel-chested man in his late fifties.

  She stuck out her hand and introduced herself. “I’m Bill Waggoner. Glad to meet you.”

  “You have a question about a billing practice? On this job?”

  “No, not this one, but this just came in the mail today, and I thought maybe Pete here could tell me what’s going on, so I brought it with me.” He handed Sharon two pieces of paper, both copies of an order. “These here components are expensive pieces of machinery for the elevators.”

  She inwardly groaned. She couldn’t seem to get away from those things. “Yes?”

  “Well, this other job has four elevators, so they ordered ten, which was a lot, but hey, it’s Jack’s money. But when I got the copy of the order and the check for payment, there was another copy in the envelope for twenty of ’em.”

  “Twenty?”

  “Yeah, and he didn’t order no twenty. And it shows my signature and Jack’s on it.”

  So here was Jack’s proof. A stupid clerical error, including the fake billing slip with the correct one to the vendor. “I see. I’m pretty sure I understand the problem, Mr. Waggoner, and it won’t be a problem for you. May I keep this for a day or two?”

  “Sure, I don’t need it. Almost threw it out, thinking they must’ve made a mistake.”

  “I’m glad you didn’t, and I’m sure Mr. Waterton will be glad also. Thank you. I’ll return the real receipt in a few days and I’ll let you know what happens,” she promised. Then she nodded her thanks to Pete and crossed the street again, after dropping off her hard hat.

  Now she had to return Jack’s call, because she was pretty sure she had evidence that his accountant was scamming him for money.

  When she entered her department, she discovered she was wrong. She didn’t have to call Jack. He was sitting at her desk, waiting for her.

  “Good afternoon,” she said stiffly.

  He stood, smiling, as if nothing personal had ever been spoken between them. Maybe she should sue him just to upset him.

  “Would you join me in the conference room?” she suggested firmly enough to let him know it was an order. Then she spun on her heels and crossed the hall to the private area.

  “Testy today, aren’t we?” he asked with an even bigger grin.

  She closed her eyes and counted to ten. It didn’t help that much, but at least she should get credit for trying.

  “One of your vendors had a question.”

  “Which one?” he asked, snapping to business mode at once.

  “Bill Waggoner. He asked Pete, who asked me.” She slapped the two copies on the table. “Take a look.” She sat down to await his response.

  After looking at both papers, he fell into a chair beside her. “Here’s my proof.” He wasn’t exultant. If anything, he sounded depressed.

  “I’d hoped I was wrong,” he finally added. “We’ve been friends for a long time. I should’ve pursued it more vigorously, but I kept thinking he’d stop.”

  “That rarely happens,” she said softly, not wanting to sympathize with him, but she knew a friend’s betrayal hurt.

  “I’m going to have to get him out of there and have a complete accounting done. Can you take it on?”

  “Not and do my job properly. However, we have an excellent forensic accounting department. They’ll be able to straighten it out and give you a proper accounting of the damage done. Shall I call them?”

  With a heavy sigh, he agreed.

  She picked up the conference-room phone and called the proper office. In no time, several men joined them in the conference room. Sharon briefly explained the situation and then let Jack take over.

  As she excused herself, he said, “Oh, and, honey, can you call my office and tell my secretary I’ll be out the rest of the day? Thanks.”

  The two accountants sent speculative glances her way, and she fought to keep the red from her cheeks. She was going to kill him. Calling her honey in front of them made their relationship appear a lot more than professional.

  “Certainly, Mr. Waterton.” Then she flounced out of the room.

  As soon, as she sat down at her desk and took a deep breath, she picked up the phone and dialed Jack’s office.

  “This is Sharon from Kane Haley, Inc. Mr. Waterton asked me to call and tell you he’d be out of the office the rest of the day.”

  The sweet voice from earlier said, “Oh, dear. And I don’t suppose he has his cell phone on, does he?”

  “I don’t know. Is there a problem?”

  “Roger has been trying to call him. Said he has a question that only Jack can answer. He’s always so full of himself!” the lady complained.

  “Mr. Waterton is still here. Shall I ask him to call you?”

  “Could you, please? That would be such a help.” “I’ll do so right aw
ay.”

  She didn’t want to go back into the conference room, but she had no choice. She crossed the hall and knocked on the now-closed door. Then she stuck her head inside.

  “Mr. Waterton, your secretary asked that you call her right away. Roger has been calling with a question that he won’t reveal to her.”

  “Thanks, Sharon, and wait a second, will you?” Like she had a choice now. She stood there while he talked briefly with his secretary. Then he dialed another number. “Roger? What’s up? Libby said you’d been calling.

  “Well, that sounds like a good deal, but let’s wait a day or two. I don’t want to get overextended just to have a few backups.

  “Uh-uh. I think you exceeded your authority, Roger. Call them back and withdraw the order.” He paused, his look intense. “I’ll drop by in a few minutes to talk about this.”

  Finally he ended the conversation.

  Then he turned to Sharon. “Call Kane and tell him I’m going to need your company to take over my other two projects at once.”

  She felt like saluting, as if she were a private and he was the general. But there was that heartsickness in his eyes that touched her. So she stuffed her resentment away and nodded. Then she closed the door behind her.

  chapter eight

  Jack normally enjoyed his work. He liked building something, knowing that when he finished his job, there would be a building that people could use, enjoy.

  But today had been a day that made him want to withdraw from the world. Today, he’d lost a friend.

  He and Roger Mallick had met just before Jack had decided to go out on his own. He’d invited Roger to become a partner in the business. Roger had refused, not willing to put his own money into the firm, but he’d agreed to be the head of accounting. Well, then, it had been the entire accounting department.

  After five years, Jack had again offered Roger the opportunity to become part-owner. He’d felt bad that he was doing so well and Roger, though he received a good salary, wasn’t getting to share in the profits. But he’d refused.

  When Jack was married, the two couples had done a lot together. Roger had children and Jack was their godfather. Their lives were intertwined. And, according to the accountants who’d gone with him to Roger’s office, he’d been stealing from Jack in increasing amounts for the past five years.

  When he’d confronted Roger, the man hadn’t apologized. He’d told Jack he deserved the money. He didn’t believe he’d done anything wrong. The accountants suggested he have Roger arrested. Jack didn’t know if he could do that. He’d had the locks changed, his account at the bank closed and a new one opened. Roger’s name had been removed from any access to his company.

  He got off the elevator. He couldn’t explain what he was doing here, either. Telling himself he wanted to be sure Sharon had lined up more accountants to take over in the morning, he’d driven to Kane Haley, Inc. It was almost six o’clock, but he was hoping Sharon was still here. He’d called her home and her mother had said she was going to work late.

  It was Friday night. The office was empty when he stepped into the Special Projects area, except for one beautiful woman. She sat at her desk, her head down, working.

  “Sharon?”

  She jumped, her face reflecting her surprise. One hand went to her throat. “You—you startled me,” she exclaimed. Taking a deep breath, she leaned back in her chair. “What do you need, Jack?”

  “Did you talk to Kane?”

  “Yes, of course. Did—did everything go all right?”

  “I guess.” How could it be all right when a man you trusted stabbed you in the back and didn’t care?

  “Kane said to tell you he’s sorry, but we’ll do everything we can to help you through this.”

  He stared at those light green eyes of hers, seeing sympathy in them. He’d known he wouldn’t get any sympathy from his family. Oh, they would rant and rave about the lost money, but not about the lost friend. They wouldn’t understand.

  Somehow he’d known that Sharon would.

  “It was awful,” he muttered, frowning fiercely.

  He heard her move, but he didn’t look up. Then she touched his arm.

  “I imagine it must’ve been. Did he express remorse?”

  “No, none. All this time I thought he was a good friend. I trusted him!” His voice was growing louder, closer to losing control and he gasped for air.

  She said nothing and he looked up. Her eyes were glistening with tears, much to his surprise. “Jack, I’m a friend now, not your accountant, okay?”

  He didn’t understand what she was saying until her arms slid around him and she laid her head against his chest. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “I know that must’ve hurt.”

  He clutched her to him. How had she known? Her heat began to warm and fill the hollow spot inside him that ached. He stood there, holding her against him for the longest time, until another kind of feeling began to assert itself. As it had on the elevator.

  She was so sweet, no wonder making love to her had been incredible. But he wouldn’t let himself get out of control again.

  He stepped back. “Thank you. I’m a little old to ask for a hug, but it helped.”

  “You’re welcome.” She moved back toward her desk, but he took her arm to stop her. “Yes?”

  “I want you to come to dinner with me,” he said, his voice gruff, prepared for her refusal.

  She stared at him, and he saw a debate in her eyes and held his breath.

  “Okay, as long as it’s somewhere simple. I couldn’t take French cuisine two nights in a row.” She smiled, as if she hadn’t surprised him.

  “You will?”

  “Yes, I’m hungry.” She pulled from his hold and began straightening her desk. Stacking folders, she opened her briefcase and placed them inside. Then she turned to him. “Ready? There’s a diner a block away, near my El stop. Is that okay?”

  He knew the one she meant. It was clean, the food simple but good. Tonight, it didn’t matter where they ate. But he wanted company. Sharon’s company. “Yeah, that’ll be fine.” Then he’d take her home.

  Sharon knew she was breaking the rules Kane had established for her protection. But when she’d needed strong arms to hold her, to help her through the time in the elevator, Jack had been there for her.

  When he’d come into the office, pain in his gaze, a hug had been the only thing she could give. And she had.

  Now he needed company, someone who would understand his misery. Someone who would coax him to eat and listen to his agony. Someone who cared.

  That was the scary part. She cared. Last night, she’d been angry with him for asking her if she was going to sue. Even the anger had been because she cared.

  Pretenses and lies had been stripped away in that elevator, when she’d thought she was going to die. In Jack she’d found a basic attraction combined with a caring that meant a great deal. They’d connected.

  Now that she knew more about him, more details that is, she cared for him even more. So she had to be careful. She had to keep her distance. She had to protect her heart.

  But tonight, she had to be his friend.

  When they’d settled in a booth across from each other, Jack tried to tell her how much he appreciated her presence.

  She reached across the table to put both her soft hands on top of his clenched ones. “You were there for me when I needed you.”

  Pain shot through him. “So this is payback? Is that all it is?”

  “No, this is someone caring, Jack.”

  His anger melted. His hands pulled from beneath hers only to catch them and hold them there. “Thank you. I didn’t have anyone who would understand except you.” Strange to say that. He had friends. A lot of friends. But he wasn’t close with anyone. His parents had never taught him intimacy.

  In the elevator, he’d had no choice. He’d reached out to Sharon because her hysteria made it absolutely necessary. He’d been more intimate with Sharon, both emotionally and physi
cally, than he’d ever been with anyone.

  “You folks ready to order?” a tired waitress asked, standing ready with her pen and pad.

  He didn’t turn Sharon loose. “What’s the special today?”

  “Meatloaf plate. Comes with mashed potatoes, green beans, and apple pie for dessert,” she rattled off.

  “Okay, Sharon?”

  She nodded.

  “We’ll both have the special. And coffee.”

  “I’ll have water, no coffee,” Sharon added.

  “Got it,” the woman said, and left them alone.

  He was still holding her hands, loving their warmth, but he didn’t know what to say.

  Quietly, she said, “Tell me what happened.”

  Somehow, going through the events of the day made sense. It gave him a focus. At the end, he said, “The forensic accountants said there was more than enough evidence to convict him, that I should press charges.”

  “They’re right.”

  “Sharon, I can’t do that. Because he betrayed me doesn’t mean I can put him in jail.”

  The waitress appeared with their meal and he was forced to release her hands. He sat back, frowning.

  When the waitress had left, he picked up his fork, suddenly wanting to avoid conversation.

  “Jack, he needs to pay a price for what he’s done. And you need to send a message to the next accountant you hire.”

  “Yeah, but does his wife need to pay a price? And their kids?”

  “Did you pay him a good salary?”

  “Hell, yes!” He named the salary he’d considered generous.

  She looked impressed. “You’re right. That was a generous salary.”

  “I offered twice to make him a principle in the company, but he was never willing to invest any of his money.”

  Sharon shook her head. “Why bother taking a risk when he could just steal it?” she said, sarcasm filling her voice.

  “Yeah.”

  “That’s why you have to press charges. For him to know he did something wrong. Let his children know he did something wrong. Let all of them know that society doesn’t accept his behavior.”