Page 37 of Silent Menace
“I’m not trying to be.”
“Aren’t you? You take the blame for things you have no controlover, and you think even implying an offer of help means guaranteeing success. That’s not your responsibility. It’s God’s.”
Gran chimed in again.Fear and shame are hard taskmasters,but youdon’t serve them.
He pulled in a deep breath. Were his grandparents right? Was he allowing fear to steal his gifts from him?
20
The unnaturally loud ringof her new phone almost startled Hailey off her parents’ couch. She checked the screen readout while simultaneously lowering the volume. Seeing Gleason’s number, she accepted the call and lifted it to her ear.
“Hey, hope you’re feeling better. I’m really sorry to bother you on a sick day, but this is urgent. Eukaria’s CFO wants to meet tomorrow morning at six thirty.”
She gripped the phone more tightly. She’d hoped for another day or two before having to figure out what to do about the meeting. “I don’t know if I can make it.”
“I need you there, Hailey. If you don’t show, I can almost guarantee Eukaria will demand a different accountant. They might even pull out of their contract altogether.”
“It’s not that I don’t want to come.” She only hesitated a moment before deciding to be straight with her boss. “My life is in danger. I was attacked on the way home yesterday and threatened if I don’t leave town. That’s why I called in this morning.”
“Why is this the first time I’m hearing about it?”
Hailey pulled the phone from her ear at the unexpected volume of his question. “I’m sorry. I’m still trying to figure out what’s going on and what I’m supposed to do.”
“Have you reported this to the cops?”
“Yes, the police are involved, and they’re actively working on it. I’m really hoping we can find a quick resolution. I just don’t know how long it will take.”
Gleason was quiet a moment, and she could picture him stewing. Finally, he grunted. “Look, your life is more important than these accounts. If you can figure out a way to get here safely, do it. Otherwise, I’ll cover for you as best I can tomorrow.”
“Thank you. If I can be there, I will.”
“That’s all I can ask. Take care of yourself and keep me posted.” A mechanical beep let her know he’d ended the call as abruptly as it had begun.
She drew in a breath. That had gone about as well as she could have hoped. Gleason often came across as brusque, but he was a good boss. Even if they lost Eukaria over this, she was fairly confident he wouldn’t fire her. She might, however, have to resign if these people forced her to relocate.
She rubbed the uninjured side of her forehead. What was she going to do? Her decision could have significant, or even deadly, ramifications. But she didn’t have much time to decide on a course of action. Wanting to make sure she had all the available facts, she dialed Eric’s number. She didn’t want to bug him, but maybe he’d have an update for her.
“I was just about to call you,” he said as greeting.
Her heartbeat accelerated. “You have news?”
“I do. We tracked down the owner of the credit card associated with that gas station receipt. He tried to run when we showed up, but we caught him.”
“Is it one of the guys who attacked me?”
“Looks like it. He’s got a broken nose and two black eyes that are consistent with your account of fighting back. And there was a banged-up silver hatchback in his garage.”
“Who is he?”
“His name’s Jacob Kingston. You know him?”
“No, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of him.”
“Well, he apparently knows who you are. He’s been a security guard at the 1798 Building for the last six months.”
She caught her breath. “What?” Her mind raced at the update.
“Yeah. I know. He lawyered up fast, so we’re waiting on his attorney to show up before we can question him.”
