I recognized the number: my home office in Atlanta.
“It’s my office,” I said, pulse threading fast and hostile through my wrists. I stood too quickly, cracking my knee on the edge of Luka’s desk.
He handed me his phone.
I took it but hesitated over the Answer button. “I need to take this. And then we’re discussing the phone mirror situation.”
He nodded, silent as a closed door.
The call connected mid-ring as I stepped out of Luka’s office and toward the living room. The muted hallway light was harsh after the electric blue wash.
“This is Alex.”
“Hey, Alex, it’s Greg.” My boss’s voice snapped and crackled through the transatlantic connection. “Everything okay over there?”
I drew in a breath. “Sure. Why do you ask?”
Greg hesitated. “Well, funny thing. I just got off the phone with Richard Montgomery, and he’s none too pleased. What’s going on, Alex?”
I braced my palm on the rigid back of Luka’s couch and tried to keep my voice steady. “What did he say?”
“Let’s start with why you walked out of a client meeting mid-session and never returned.”
My blood froze. “There was a fire alarm. The building was evacuated.”
“And you didn’t go back.”
“I spoke with the office assistant.” I spun up my lie from earlier. “The alarm gave me a migraine. I needed to lie down. But I’m on track with the projects, and I’ll be back first thing tomorrow.”
Greg let out a short cough—the one he used when maneuvering around uncomfortable territory. “He also mentioned…erratic behavior. Said you’ve been distracted. Upset. Possibly even—his words—‘unfit for work.’”
Ice crept into my fingertips.
“He’s concerned about your well-being,” Greg went on, his tone shifting into the gentler register reserved for HR disasters and condolence calls.
I barked a laugh. It wasn’t funny, but the alternative was screaming. “Oh, I assure you, he’s not worried about my welfare.”
Silence stretched across the line.
“Is there something I need to know?” Greg asked.
I straightened, dragging the shreds of my composure around me like threadbare armor. “Nothing that impacts the job. Richard and I had a difference of opinion, but it’s resolved. I’m one hundred percent focused. The deliverables will be there. I’ll exceed target, Greg.”
Silence. Then, “Yeah. Well?—”
“What?” My voice was controlled, polished from years of outmaneuvering rooms full of men who thought they could rattle me.
He exhaled, the phone making it a wet, papery sound. “You know I think the world of you, Alex. You’re one of the best. Iwouldn’t have sent you unless I was certain you could handle it. But…”
Always a but. “Then what’s the problem?”
“Richard raised some…conduct concerns. Both in and outside the office.” A long, uncomfortable pause. “I’m not saying I believe him, but the client is spooked.”
My jaw went rigid. “You’ve got to be kidding.”
“Look, I’m on your side. You know I am. But I’m in a tough position.” He hesitated. “Hallstrom Group is moving to cancel the contract. I don’t need to spell out what that means.”
“Overwhat?” My voice ticked up a register I usually reserved for telemarketers and uncooperative automated telephone prompts. “You can’t be serious.”