Page 125 of Dancing for the Minotaur

Technically Taurex had never fired her. She hadn’t quit either. In all the emotional disaster of their return to Earth, neither of them had said a word about Intergalactic Imports.

Finally, on Monday morning, Terra dressed in one of the nice office outfits she had bought with her new income, drove downtown in her battered Honda and parked in the Montana Building garage.

The front desk staff didn’t give her any trouble this time. Apparently Taurex’s instructions still stood because they greeted her politely and allowed her to take the golden elevator to the penthouse without question.

The elevator doors opened onto silence.

“Taurex?” Terra called as she walked toward the office but there was no answer.

The penthouse seemed even emptier than she remembered. Without Taurex’s huge presence filling it, the rooms felt sterile and impersonal again—all expensive stone and glass with nothing warm enough to make them a home.

Terra walked into the office and found it was tidy, which should have made her happy.

Instead, it made her heart ache all over again.

The filing cabinets she had bullied Taurex into buying stood along one wall. The conference table was clear and the accounting folders she had created were arranged neatly in their proper places.

Then she saw the envelope—it was sitting in the center of the desk, and her name was written across the front.

Terra.

She stared at it for several seconds before picking it up. Inside was a single sheet of paper which read…

Terra,

Commander Rarev requested that I undertake the mission to Valeria Prime concerning the kethra resin. I have agreed and will be away from Earth for an indefinite period. Because I do not wish you to feel obligated to remain in my employ or to return to a workplace where my presence might make you uncomfortable, I am releasing you from your position with Intergalactic Imports. I have deposited a severance payment into the account you provided for payroll. I hope it will allow you sufficient time to complete your education and pursue whatever career you choose.

Thank you for everything you did for my business. I wish you and your family happiness and prosperity.

Taurex.

Terra read the note twice…then a third time.

He was gone. He had actually left Earth and now he was far beyond her reach.

“Damn it, Taurex,” she whispered.

Her hands began shaking. What did he mean by severance payment and how much had he given her?

Terra pulled out her phone and opened her banking app. She logged in with trembling fingers.

Then she stared at the balance with wide eyes.

“No,” she whispered, staring at the figure. “No, that can’t be right.”

She refreshed the screen—once then twice but the number remained unchanged.

An electronic deposit from INTERGALACTIC IMPORTS had been made three days earlier for the sum of $100,000.00

Terra actually sat down.

“Oh my God,” she whispered.

A hundred thousand dollars. He had given her a hundred thousand dollars.

Not five thousand…not ten.

A hundred thousand dollars.