Could I feel any more stupid?
"This tracking report shows all transactions from your computer, times, dates, and locations. I highlighted the Hawaii ones."
"There are dozens of them." Christine sighed as she took the sheets. "Some weeks we had to change the orders four or five times. This could take hours. I'll need to check the dates and times against my appointment book so I can account for exactly where I was, at what time, and if I really did send it or not."
"I hope you don't mind but since I have the ability, I went ahead and accessed the orders the corporation heads say are forged." Tom pulled out a second sheet. "Take it, compare, and call me if you need anything else."
"Thank you. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this." Christine handed him a gift card. "There's enough for forty cups. A month's worth?"
Tom grinned and stood. "Almost. Glad I could help. I better get going."
"Christine, Tom, fancy meeting you here."
Christine almost choked on her water. She swallowed fast and tried to smile. "Hello Jim. Tom and I ran into each other and are just saying hello."
Jim glanced from one to the other. "I see."
"I need to get to the office. See you later, Jim. Take care, Christine." Tom dashed away.
Jim took his vacated chair. "So, Christine, imagine my surprise seeing you here when I first came in. I bought you a coffee. You drink mocha, right?" He handed her a cup. "How have you been? All recovered from the attack?"
He knew about the attack? How? It hadn't been made public, had it? Christine took the cup and let it sit on the table. "I'm getting there. The sling comes off soon."
"Good to hear. Do the police have any leads on who attacked you?" Jim leaned on the table.
"No. At least not any they've shared with me." Christine mentally kicked herself for thinking this early no one from the office would be around. She shoved the papers deeper into her purse. "How are you?'
"Doing well." Jim lifted his cup and took a deep sip, his gaze lingering on hers. "Interesting you'd just run into Tom here."
"Well, this is a second home to most of us." She laughed and felt the sudden urge to run. Something didn't feel right, something in the way Jim treated her. She'd never felt uncomfortable around him; why did she now? "I probably should get going."
Jim gestured. "You haven't touched your coffee."
"I've had my limit for the day, but I'll take it with me for later." Christine went to rise. Jim put a hand on her arm and stopped her.
"You have a few minutes to catch up with your boss, although since the board is meeting today about your embezzlement case I guess I won't be your boss much longer." Jim's fingers moved up and down her arm.
"They're meeting today?" Christine sank back down. Did Charlie know? Is that why he rejected her? Would Charlie be fired because he'd come to help her? She had to get home.
"Yes. I'm real sorry we won't see your face around the office any longer. It's a true loss to the corporation." Jim's fingers dug into her forearm and caused her to wince.
He didn't sound sorry. He sounded smug. Christine took a deep breath and smelled cigars, the same stench as when—oh my God.
"I'm real sorry you got caught with your hand in the cookie jar." Jim watched her so closely she almost squirmed. "But Charlie is more than making it all up to you, isn't he, all comfy in your house, your bed?"
Christine felt her head spin. How did he know Charlie stayed with me? No, not Jim. He couldn't have attacked me—but the smell—do not panic. Oh holy God. "Charlie's my friend."
Jim laughed an unpleasant sound. "Nice to have 'friends' like him, isn't it? You do realize, of course, his high placed corporate friends won't protect him forever either."
"Charlie didn't do anything wrong, and neither did I." I'm not going to be afraid of you. I'm not.
Jim shrugged. "The evidence says different. All those duplicated invoices changed and on your own computer. I'll have some clean up to do, being it happened right in my own office. But it will all work itself out, I'm certain. Drink your coffee, Christine."
She stared at the cup. What had he put in there? Would he be so bold? A group of laughing women took chairs at the table next to theirs, blocking Jim between them and the wall. Christine took the opportunity to stand and slip away. She raced to her car, her heart pounding.
***