Page 83 of The Atonement
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
AINSLEY
SIX MONTHS EARLIER
Isat outside the corporate office of my old job with butterflies in my belly. I wasn’t sure why I was so nervous. I had this under control. Tina said Burt wanted to talk to me about a new position that was opening up now that I was settled into our new apartment. When they’d initially refused to transfer me, I’d taken a job as a secretary at a legal firm, anything to make sure I had income and insurance again, but I couldn’t deny that I missed doing what I loved. What I was good at.
If they’d offer me a job again, I’d take it in a heartbeat.
I’d flown back to Nashville to talk to him in person, as he wanted to make absolutely sure the person heading up their newest branch was a great fit, according to Tina.
I crossed the street cautiously, a lump in my throat.
I’d never been so nervous.
“Good morning,” the receptionist greeted me from behind thick-framed glasses. “Can I help you?”
“I’m here for a meeting with Burt Stover. I’m Ainsley Greenburg.”
“Okay, just a minute.” He raised the phone to his ear, dialing two digits. “Mr. Stover, I have a Ms. Greenburg here to see you. Excellent. I’ll send her up.” He hung up the phone and gestured toward the elevators to my left. “You’ll take these elevators to the third floor and turn to your right. You’ll see the HR waiting area at the end of the hall.”
“Thank you,” I said, patting the counter and making my way toward the elevator. Once the doors had shut, I inhaled, releasing the breath slowly. It was all going to be okay.
Following his instructions, I turned right, spying a waiting area behind a glass wall. I walked into the room, knocking cautiously. A plump woman with short blonde hair grinned at me.
“You’re Mrs. Greenburg?”
“Ms.,” I corrected. “And yes.”
“Mr. Stover is expecting you. You can go straight back. His office is the last one on your left.” She pointed down a hallway to our right. “Would you like a bottle of water or anything?”
“I’m okay. Thank you.” I clasped my hands together, my heels clicking on the tile floor as I made my way down the dark hall. His name was printed in black on the glass of the door and, when I reached it, I knocked.
“Come in.” The voice sent chills down my spine. I hesitated.
Breathe. You can do this.
I pushed the door open, my body going rigid as I saw the man waiting for me.
“Peter?”
“No,” he said, standing up, both hands on the desk in front of him. “Burt Stover.”
“H-how?” A block of ice settled in my core.
“Sit down.” He pointed to the seat in front of his desk.
“Not a chance.”
“Did you meet Beth out there?” He nodded toward the door. “Nice old lady. Beat breast cancer twice. She has twelve grandkids. Can you imagine? Twelve.” He twisted his lips. “Be a shame if she didn’t get to see those grandkids this Christmas, wouldn’t it?”
A wave of panic washed over me, and I sat. “What do you want, Peter? How are you here?”
“Jim left quite a few useful things behind, didn’t he? Sedatives, fake identities…”
“You impersonated Burt Stover?”
“IcreatedBurt Stover,” he said. “Way back when I needed a way to contact you the first time. When I thought you’d be harder to find. I thought I’d keep him in my pocket, just in case. Turns out, it was a good plan because I was going to lose my job and need a replacement anyway.”
