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Chapter one
Sidney
Nancycallsmeintoher office just as I tell her goodbye for the evening. I feel strangely nervous as she refuses to meet my eyes.
“Sidney. Please sit.” She takes a deep breath and I feel the walls closing in on me.
“Is everything okay, Nancy?” I smile nervously to mask my unease.
“I don’t know how else to say this, Sidney. You’re an excellent employee and I hate that things have come to this.” Her kind eyes bore into me and I see a depth of emotion there.
“Come to what?”
“We know what has been happening to you with these ‘visitors’.” She stares at me and I drop my eyes. I don’t need to ask which visitors.
“We’ve had reports of at least three occasions in the parking lot in full view of workers. And quite frankly, employees are talking. They don’t feel safe, Sidney. And I have to think about their safety as well.”
I feel it coming. And I’m powerless to stop it. I hear her sigh before she speaks again.
“Management has discussed the matter and we have decided it is best for all parties concerned for you to take some leave.”
Silence ensues and it is as though I can hear a pin drop. I lick my lips nervously.
“Take some leave? But I’ve already used all my vacation time.” I wipe my clammy hands on my skirt, praying that this conversation will end.
“That’s okay. You can take all the time you need to sort out your personal affairs.” She tries to smile kindly but it falls flat.
“Are-Are you firing me?” I whisper the question, my mind racing a mile a minute.
“Firing is such a strong word. It’s some time off to get your affairs in order.” Her smile slips and her demeanor becomes cool.
“And if they never get in order?” I wait with bated breath for her response, like a patient waiting to hear how long I have left to live after being diagnosed with a terminal illness.
“Then you stay on leave.” She doesn’t even flinch.
I sit in silence swallowing against the lump in my throat. “So, basically, I need to find myself another job.”
“Well, put it this way. If you quit, we would provide you with a glowing reference. You are an excellent worker, Sidney. You’re organized and efficient. Any employer would be happy to have you as an assistant.”
“Just not Shadeed’s.”
“I’m sorry, Sidney. You know how rough this city is. We can’t take any chances and put innocent people in the line of danger. I’ll tell you what, I can speak with accounts and see how best we can work out a salary in lieu of notice arrangement. And if there are a few vacation days that you would have earned, we can pay you for those as well.” She scribbles the details on a notepad. “How about that?”
“I would appreciate that.” I nod and stand. “Thank you.”
I leave the office quickly, my mind numb about what happened.
I’m trying to stave off the thoughts as I hurry home. Suddenly, a hand grips my arm, and before I know it, I’m pulled into an alley and shoved up against a wall, knocking the wind out of me.
“Where’s our money?” I hear that familiar guttural tone and I close my eyes. This day just keeps getting better and better.
“Please, I don’t have any money!” I squeeze my eyes even tighter and whimper as I try to catch my breath without swallowing against the press of the cold blade against my throat. My heart feels as though it's going to beat out of my chest. My brain is in a fog. All I can think is that I’ll be the next Chicago news headline when my lifeless body is found covered in blood in some nondescript alley.
“Well, then where is that little boyfriend of yours? He owes us.”
“I told you, he’s not my boyfriend anymore. I haven’t seen him in months!”
I try to control the sobs as the thug presses his face into mine.
