Page 111 of A Bossy Roommate

I swallow the lump in my throat.

“That’s a great way to see things,” I say, making an effort to convey a supportive tone, but feeling terrible. His words align perfectly with his beliefs, about the significance of progressing and concentrating on goals rather than holding on to harmful influences.

“Maybe it’s because of you,” he adds, putting the tablet down and reaching under the table to lay his hand on my knee. “Maybe I’m feeling good because you’re staying with me.”

I had informed him of my plan to clear his name. He’d told me not to. He’d told me a number of times that I shouldn’t do that for him because it was risky and could cost me my job—a job I’d been more than just excited about. But it matters to me.Hematters to me. They’re wrong, and I’m determined to prove it.

“It’s not fair.” I take a drink of my coffee. “I’m a positive person, at least I try to be, but this is some bullshit, and I won’t stand for it.”

He leans down and kisses the top of my head, then my lips. “All right, I have to head out. Don’t work too hard.”

By the look in his eyes, I can tell that he’s proud of me for sticking up for him (if only he knew)—but I can sense that he holds doubt regarding my chances of uncovering evidence of his sabotage.

“Okay, babe,” I say, “have a good day.”

“I’ll call you on your lunch break.”

I watch him leave, thinking what a change a little over a month could make. When we first met, we both were so adamant about pretending our first night hadn’t happened. Now, we’re living together like we’ve known each other our whole lives. I waited years to find a loving man like this, and he had fallen into my lap when I least expected it.

I take a couple of bites of my breakfast, but it doesn’t settle right. Ever since Carter was fired, food hasn’t been even remotely appealing.

I finish getting ready for work early and head out not too long after Carter leaves.

Bradleyand I are full steam ahead in our investigation. However, by the time Wednesday rolls around, I’m thoroughly exhausted. Bradley and I weren’t able to find any glaring issues with the client files at our first go around, and even though what we’re doing has priority, actual work obligations demand our attention. There’s no set date for when they’ll find a permanent replacement for Carter, and between his work in NYC and the duties he as COO still has in Connecticut, Bradley is all over the place.

Gretchen has been subtly trying to help me and Bradley—which I’m taking as a good sign that she isn’t part of Huxley’s deceitful machinations. Yet I can’t dismiss the possibility thatshe simply wants to remain in the loop to provide updates to her boss.

Taking a deep breath, I square my shoulders and set about going through my daily routine. I check emails and phone messages, update Bradley’s calendar, and make sure new client files are ready for him to review. Once all that is said and done, I pull up the “CDB” folder I created to store the information we’ve gathered so far.

It’s not much. A lot of it is reimbursement receipts for town cars and dinner meetings that Huxley had charged to the company account. Gretchen is going to dig into Huxley’s calendar for the last month, and together we’re going to cross-reference them with the days his calendar was empty. If he had taken meetings yet didn’t have them on the books, it definitely will be suspicious.

A little while later, Bradley comes in. He looks as tired and unhappy as I feel. “Morning, Eden.”

“Morning, Bradley. I have those files you wanted to go over.”

“Thanks. Have you heard anything from IT about the messaging system?”

“Not today.”

Our internal office messaging system hasn’t been working for days. IT is trying to solve the issue, yet it seems that every time they think they have figured it out, it goes down again. Which makes things more than a little annoying.

Bradley sighs. “Ridiculous. We’ve never had a problem with it before, I don’t know what the hell is going on.”

Something clicks, and I look up from the computer. “Wait a minute. It’s been down since that day—the day Carter was sacked. That cannot be a coincidence, could it?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, what are the chances that thedayCarter is set to be handed the pink slip our trusty messaging system suddenlystops working. And now every time our highly capable and intelligent IT department fixes it, it goes down again? You just said it yourself: We haven’t had this problem before.”

Bradley’s eyes go wide. “Call the head of IT and tell him I need to pay him a visit ASAP. Today. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that before.”

“Neither of us did. We’ve been too damn busy.”

He steps into his office while I reach for the phone. I’ve called IT so many times already that I know the number by heart. Once I arrange the meeting, I jump back into my investigation. I can’t let Carter down.

When the end of the workday arrives, I decide to take my leave, too exhausted to wait for Bradley’s return and the outcome of the potentially lengthy IT meeting. Since I haven’t received any updates, I guess the outcome was insignificant, and Bradley had gone home afterward.

Once I get home,I’m ready to immediately kick off my shoes and collapse onto the couch. Carter won’t be home yet. I recall him mentioning a late interview.

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