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She nods as if in shock and as I sit at the nearby desk, I try to empty my mind of the unfortunate incident that just occurred.
* * *
As mornings go,this is one of the dullest and as I trawl through the computer records, it becomes obvious that probably every single one of Robert’s employees could be a suspect.
To her credit, Mrs Armstrong keeps me wallowing in coffee for which I am most grateful and only a call from my Inspector breaks the tedium of the day.
“How are things going?”
Mrs Armstrong has taken a natural break, so I’m free to speak and I say in a low voice, “It’s a laborious task, but I’ll get there.”
“Any ideas?”
“Not yet.”
He sighs.“Do your best, Jessie, because there’s a shed load of files heading our way and I need someone to organise them.”
My heart sinks. Great, me again. Every file that passes through our office starts with me, and I’m beginning to wonder if I’m only viewed as a secretary. None of the guys are tasked with filing, and I’m getting fed up with it.
Feeling antsy, I growl, “I’ll do my best, but this situation is one that needs resolution. Mr Harvey is a man with many enemies, and I intend on unmasking the postman if it’s the last thing I do.”
“The postman?”
Detective Inspector Ranauld sounds amused, and I say tightly, “My codename for the perpetrator.”
The silence is surprising, but then his amused voice says abruptly,“Just hurry up. I need you here.”
He cuts the call, leaving me bristling with anger. So much for my glorious promotion when I’m successful. Knowing him, I’ll be back to making the coffee and filing before my feet hit the stained carpet in his office.
With a sigh, I resume my task, wondering how long I can string this out because at least here I’m important and doing something that will make a difference. I like to think so at least.
* * *
I can tellthat Mrs Armstrong has something on her mind when she returns because she can’t stop staring at me and is shifting awkwardly on her seat and after an hour of it, I snap.
“Do you have something you wish to say to me, Mrs Armstrong?”
“No.”
I fix her with an imperious stare, and she squirms a little. “I, um, well…”
“Spit it out.” My impatience obviously shows because she flushes bright red. “It’s just, well…” She laughs nervously, “Word on the shop floor, gossip I’m sure, is that you and um, Mr Harvey…”
“Are lovers?” I raise my eyes and she blushes so red it’s quite an astonishing sight.
Before I can answer her, a low laugh heads our way and we glance up to see Robert leaning against the door frame looking so edible I openly stare. He winks at Mrs Armstrong, causing her mouth to drop and says flirtatiously, “Hey, babe, ready for lunch.”
I’m pretty certain my face is as red as my companions and with an angry glare, I say briskly, “Of course.”
I grab my bag and stride towards him, directing my hardest glare in his direction.
As I pass, he drops his hand to my waist and follows me out and I am burning with mortification as he publicly declares something that isn’t even real and I hiss, “What are you thinking? Are you crazy?”
“I thought this was what we agreed. Our cover story.”
“If anyone asks, you idiot. Honestly, you could have said nothing, and nobody would have suspected a thing. Way to go. You have just made me public enemy number one.”
“In what way?”
