And the longer she stood here talking to Dennis, the longer the day would last.
You can’t leave until after he does. Otherwise, he’ll see you take that file.
Because she was definitely taking it home with her. Rules were one thing, but if something was going on inside the company that directly impacted the safety of Frost Avionics’ planes, then that meant potentially affecting people’s lives.
And she knew better than most just how precious a gift life really was.
“Again, I apologize for not being more considerate of your position and why you’re here,” Dennis offered.
“It’s okay.” Natalie flashed him another quick smile, praying the man would just go to that overpriced party already, and leave her alone.
A moment later, she got her wish. Sort of.
“Well.” He pulled his hands from his pockets and grinned. “I don’t want to keep you any later than you already are.” Turning away, Dennis sauntered toward the door with a swagger only a man of his status could pull off. “Have a good night, Natalie.”
“You, too.”
She watched and waited, her insides screaming when he stopped at the door and looked back at her. “I understand and respect the rules where fraternization with Frost employees is concerned. Perhaps we can plan a time to meet for drinks after the audit is complete.” That overly attentive gaze of his slid to the boxes on the table. “Do you think you’ll be done soon?”
Natalie did a quick mental run-through of what she still had left to do before filing her final report. “I think so. As long as nothing unexpected comes up”—like a mystery file filled with things I’m dying to look at, for example—“I should have everything wrapped up by the end of next week.”
“Excellent.” The interest was more than a little obvious now. “Okay, then. I assume I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“I’ll be here with bells on.”
Or police sirens, depending on what that file says.
With a parting wave of his hand, the man exited the room and headed toward the hallway housing the elevators. Natalie waved back, walking over to where her jacket and purse were hanging from a mounted hook on the wall near the door.
Being as inconspicuous as possible, she made sure Dennis was still out of sight as she carried her things back over to the table. After draping her jacket and small purse over the back of the chair next to her, she gave her surroundings another careful once-over.
If anyone saw her put that folder in her personal computer bag, it would open a whole can of worms. For the time being, Natalie needed to keep a lid on it. At least until she’d had a chance to look it all over herself, first.
Seeing the coast was clear, she hurried to remove the folder from the box before sliding it into her padded bag. With it nestled next to her work computer she’d put into the bag earlier; Natalie zipped the bag closed and hoisted its padded strap over her shoulder.
Several minutes later, she was in her car and on the highway home.
5
Natalie’s gazebounced between the road and her bag as she maneuvered through the thick Seattle traffic. She’d always loved a good mystery, and this was one that had dug its claws into her at first sight.
Watch it be something stupid, like a practical joke left by a man who had more money than God and a wandering eye.
Dennis Atkinson’s face flashed before her.
She doubted a man like that would stoop to such a juvenile level as some silly office prank. She’d also all but convinced herself the folder wasn’t anything more than something innocent, misplaced by a pimple-faced intern.
Unfortunately she wouldn’t know for sure until she got the chance to sift through it all. And thanks to heavier-than-normal traffic—and an unexpected detour she’d no choice but to take—the twenty-minute drive home was going to take close to forty.
Natalie sighed. Normally this would be where she’d connect to her car’s Bluetooth and make a call to Logan. But since he was why she needed a distraction in the first place…well, him and Flirty McFlirtsalot, calling him was out of the question.
Talking to him about Tessa or normal work stuff was one thing. Going to Logan to discuss being asked out by another man would just be…weird.
Not if you only thought of Logan as a friend and nothing more. Which means he must be something more.
Ready to knock her inner voice straight into the stratosphere, Natalie kept her eyes on the road while using her steering wheel’s controls to make a call. As soon as the telltale beep sounded from the car’s speakers, she gave the appropriate command.
“Call Tessa.”