Page 118 of Hidden Ties

Sitting down on her chair, Glenda gave her a kind gaze. “Then let me explain it for you. I’ve worked here since before they started. When people don’t like you, you become invisible to them, which I never let get to me. My Jack is all I ever needed. This place is just what makes for us to have the life we want. The great part about being invisible is you see and hear things no one else does.

“Each of those women have become involved in relationships with the managing partner, senior partners, and the head of the department. Susan is trying her best to get with Graham, the chief legal officer, but the last I heard, he hasn’t taken what she has been offering. The three other women are getting anything they want from those men. To be frank, they don’t want you to upset the balance.

“You have to watch yourself and not step on any of their toes,” Glenda advised kindly. “I can see you’re a good person, and if I can see it, then they can, too. The worst mistake you could have made was to get friendly with someone they had their sights on. Keep to yourself, and whatever you do, don’t get drawn into their drama. You do that, you’ll do well. Then, one day, before you know it, you’ll be here giving someone else the same pep talk.”

“You consider this a pep talk? I’m considering quitting.”

“No, you’re not.” Glenda’s eyes filled with mirth. “You’re no quitter.”

No, she wasn’t. She was going to stick this job out no matter how difficult others made it for her. She wasn’t stupid enough to go against Glenda’s advice, either.

“I have a quick question: have you heard if any of them are involved with Kent Bryant?”

“No. I think where he’s concerned, it’s more of a case of wishful thinking.”

With Glenda’s version of a pep talk finished, she set about showing her the duties she would be responsible for throughout the morning. Glenda told her that she would just be shadowing her the first couple of days. Then, on Wednesday, she would start taking over the duties with Glenda watching.

Thankful that she wasn’t going to be thrown in the deep end, she relaxed, making notes if she needed. More often than not, it wasn’t a difficult job, mainly making sure all the procedures were followed closely.

A steady stream of lawyer assistants came to check out files, which was time-consuming, as Glenda would go through a checklist of what was being removed from the box, who was responsible for what was being removed, and when it would come back. Some of the items weren’t allowed to be removed from the file room, which meant they were allowed to use a table set aside for that purpose. Only those assigned to the case could work in full view of Glenda and a camera.

Sitting by Glenda’s side at her desk, Sage saw Glenda watching one of the female lawyers like a hawk as she shifted through documents in a file.

“Please, make sure you put the documents in the same order.”

The stern way she spoke to the lawyer had her flipping the folder closed to put it back in the box. When she carried the box back to the desk they were sitting at, Sage started twisting the watch on her wrist.

“I’m finished.” Plunking the box on the desk, the lawyer started to walk away.

“Mrs. Parker, I need to check the box and sign you out.”

The lawyer to the desk, impatiently tapped one of her heels. “Give me the notepad to sign; I’m in a hurry.”

“I won’t be a moment.”

Meticulously, Glenda went through the checklist before allowing her to sign.

Mrs. Parker raised a haughty brow at Glenda. “This is your last week, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is,” Glenda told her, replacing the lid on the box.

“This week can’t end fast enough for me.”

The insult rolled off Glenda’s shoulder. “Me neither.”

Covering her mouth to hide her laughter as the lawyer stormed away, Sage looked at Glenda appreciatively. “Do they normally get that upset?” she asked when Mrs. Parker was out of earshot.

“I wish.” Glenda picked the box up to carry it back to the slot it had been removed from. “That was nothing. You’re going to be yelled at, called names, and when they’re really mad, they will threaten your job every time.”

“I’m beginning to think I should have gone back to the temp agency.”

“You’ve got more spunk than you think.” Coming back to the desk, she entered the time the box was returned to its slot. Then Glenda clicked a key, which showed Susan Parker’s signature.

“This program would be a hacker’s nightmare to get past.”

Observing the rapid movements Glenda was making on her computer, Sage dreaded when it would be her turn.

Glenda tapped the computer screen with a fingernail. “The login codes are changed twice a day by Mr. Hollingsworth’s assistant. And don’t ever forget to use this computer for nothing other than work. When you touch the keys, a picture is taken every two minutes of what’s on the screen.”