Chapter Four

Never in seven years had John Fredericks ever known Harry to do anything on impulse. “This isn’t like you, Harry. Why this discovery…now of all times?”

“This discovery, as you call it, John, may well hold the key to the future, and that I want to see firsthand. As to why I want to go now,” she said arching an eyebrow, “now is as good a time as any for me to participate in a field trip. Call it a learning curve. Hell, it must be about the only thing I don’t have a nodding acquaintance with in the company.”

Also puzzled by Harry’s out-of-character behavior, Sally listened for a clue. But her boss was an emotionally closed book. Therefore, her decision shouldn’t have come as a surprise. Sally’s heart ached for the lonely woman. Never in her life had she seen anyone so consumed with grief for a lost love. She’d had the privilege of witnessing firsthand a love that had left both women completely lost in each other. Sally had often found herself feeling jealous of the love so pure and deep. Maybe mourning this long was called for. “Want me to reschedule Guy Cole for next month?”

Harry looked away from her second in command to her PA. She knew John would be fine with Sally to back him up along with his own efficient PA, Jane. “No. John can handle it. Can’t you?”

John cleared his throat before he choked on the words. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Harry. He’s trying his damnedest to take over the company and you know he has two of the four largest shareholders in his pocket already. Not to mention he’s buying stock on the open market.”

“You can handle it. Sally has the files and you just have to convince him that it isn’t in his best interests. I have faith in you and in our personnel.”

“You know if I fail and he convinces Shekia to go over to him, he could end up with controlling interest. I think you should meet with him yourself, Harry.”

Harry pursed her lips as she considered the ramifications. Shekia Canning had always been loyal…to a point. Right now, the grapevine indicated she was financially embarrassed and that could be trouble. If presented with the right proposal, she might be willing to part with the shares her father had left her. It was up to them to see that that did not happen. “She could go over to him, you could fail, and he could end up with controlling interest. None of that is a certainty, and yes, all that could happen. Why not make it, she didn’t go over to him, you didn’t fail, and he didn’t gain controlling interest.”

John heaved a sigh and smiled at the woman who trusted him with the well-being of the company. He wouldn’t fail the company, the employees, but most of all—her, she trusted him.

“Didn’t is the order of the day then, Harry. Sally, you had better pass those files to my office as soon as possible, and tomorrow we can get together with Jane to work out a plan of attack.”

Harriet Aristides chuckled softly. Her second sounded as if he was going to detail a battle plan—which it was. Guy Cole was no pushover; he had been a rather irritating thorn in their side for some time. “Excellent. I’ll call you before I leave, John, and brief you with what needs attention in my absence.” She turned back to her desk and contemplated the mountain of files.

“Okay, boss.” Fredericks walked out the door leaving her and Sally alone.

Several seconds passed and neither woman spoke, then Harry looked at her PA with a wry smile. “Okay, go ahead, say it.”

“Say what?” Sally knew exactly what Harry meant and sat down opposite the woman, watching her fingering the locket she wore around her neck.

“This is short notice…why are you going…have you lost your mind? You know those kinds of questions.”

“It is short notice, but that’s your prerogative. As to what has gotten into you…well…I figured you had that one covered.”

“I know you, Sally,” Harry said, arching an eyebrow. “We’ve worked together for several years now and you always have something to say.” A small smile played around her lips. “Why change a lifetime habit now?”

“Oh, I don’t know, you’re changing, so why can’t I?”

Both women made eye contact and Harry laughed at the absurdity of the conversation.

“I’m sorry I can’t make your dinner party this Saturday.”

“I knew it! There you have it, that’s the reason you’re going.”

“Yep, that’s it exactly. Any chance that you’re having caterers this time?”

Sally gave her an affronted look. She thought Harry had enjoyed the barbecue last year, though she actually hadn’t cooked. “What! You didn’t like my cooking?” she teased.

“You didn’t cook, Sally, and I loved the food. I merely thought you should give Ethan a break. I don’t think he left the kitchen all the time I was there.”

“He loves it…and, if I remember correctly, you left early.”

“Yes, I did. Sorry. Next time I’ll stay longer.”

Sally’s face filled with warmth and compassion for the lonely woman. Harry was brilliant, had money, a position others would kill for, but she didn’t have the essential light that made life worth living. It had died along with Abby. Somewhere there had to be a reason for Harriet Aristides to light that flame in her heart again. “When you come back, how about dinner and I’ll cook?”

“I wouldn’t miss it, Sally. Thanks.”

“Shall we go over which of these files you will take and which ones John needs to deal with?”

“Guess we’d better or I’ll never get out of here tonight. I still need to pack. Sally, will you please check on how the arrangements for tomorrow are going? We need to inform the other members of our team as soon as we have the particulars.”

“I’ll get right on it and make sure the information is distributed, and then I’ll come back and help with the files. Anything else you need?”

The question went unanswered as Harriet became absorbed in the pile of files. Smiling and shaking her head, Sally quietly left the office, all the while wondering what was really going on with her boss. Oh, Harriet, what are you up to now? The field is no place for you! Do you have any idea what you’re getting yourself into or what’s ahead of you?