Page 122 of The Stranger

“Simone … it’s Spencer,” I say when my PA answers. “I know it’s short notice, but Laura is finishing up tomorrow. Do you think you could organise a small party for her? Use the company credit card to get whatever you need. Can you buy her an acceptable gift as well?”

“Of course. That was sudden. I knew she was struggling …”

“Her husband got a job out of state.”

“Do you need me to organise a temp to start Monday?”

“No, Delilah can fill in for her. She knows the job, so it makes more sense to utilise her.”

“Ah, okay.”

“Listen, while I’ve got you here, can I ask if you have heard any office gossip concerning me and Delilah?”

“Yeah, I have. I try my best to shut it down when I do.”

“Thank you. What about a betting ring?”

“Umm … yeah, I’ve heard about that too. I think Shay-lee is the one running it.”

“Can you schedule a meeting with me, Shay-lee and HR first thing tomorrow?”

“For what it’s worth, I think it’s just some harmless fun.”

“That may be true, but I don’t pay these people to sitaround and talk idle gossip, or run an illegal betting ring, for that matter.”

When I end my call with Simone, the first thing Delilah asks is, “Are you going to fire Shay-lee?”

“Do you want me to?”

“No.”

“Then I won’t, but she will get an official warning.”

“I feel terrible now.”

“Don’t. Look at what this has been doing to you. I won’t stand by and let anyone disrespect you … especially my employees.”

“They’re saying stuff about you too.”

“I don’t care about that. Your needs will always trump my wants … I’ll always have your best interests at heart.”

“I love you,” she says.

“I love you too.”

Standing, I bring her with me. “Now that the fixer has fixed everything, let’s go order some dinner.”

“Nobody calls you that.”

“Do you have proof to back that up?”

“Ugh.”

“I thought as much.”

“Can we have Chinese?”

“We can have whatever you want, sweetheart.”