Coming To Reason (A Long Road to Love) Read Free Page A

you.”
    Carrie smiled at the compliment. As Systems Manager,
Destiny had to approve everything Carrie planned to do to their database. When Dan
checked up on their progress, she had no doubt of his love for the girl. Initially,
she’d thought the two were a couple because Dan looked to be in his early
thirties and Destiny in her twenties. Turned out Dan had become a father when
he was seventeen and Destiny was younger than she looked.
    When the elevator doors opened, Dan’s comforting hand
returned to her back and he led her into his office, closing the door. “Can I
get you a green tea?”
    She appreciated he remembered her favorite drink. Even
after two and a half years together, Trent still couldn’t remember her
preference.
    “Why don’t I get myself a tea and you a black coffee? I’m
sure you need to prepare for your meeting. We can talk afterwards.”
    He smiled. “I’ll take you up on getting the drinks, because
I need to make a call, but I do want to speak to you before the meeting.”
    She headed to the break room. After a quick search, she
found the ground coffee and filters. Upon giving the coffee machine a filter,
coffee grounds, and fresh water, she returned to Dan’s office. Otherwise, he’d
never get a chance to talk to her before his meeting.
    Seeing him on the phone, she sat outside on the bench
against the west wall of his outer office. A second later, Dan’s voice spoke
from the secretary’s desk. “Carrie, come on in.”
    She rose and entered, surprised he remained on the phone.
    “Charles, I’m putting you on speaker phone. I need both
hands.”
    He pointed to his ear and then the couch.
    She assumed he wanted her to listen to the conversation. Perplexed,
she sat down.
    “If we can prove collusion, we have a case, if not, Miss
Parker will walk,” the man on the phone said.
    “What do I need to prove collusion?”
    “E-mails would be nice. If the woman you fired would
testify and she’s believable, a jury would find it compelling.”
    “What if I placed a person I trust on my staff and she’s
approached. Would it help?”
    “Depends on the woman. It’s all about credibility of who is
saying what.”
    “If she tapes the conversation, can Parker’s lawyer claim
entrapment?”
    “Ah, I see where you’re going. Not if your hire does not
ask for clients. To do this right, make the person a new hire and have her tape
her conversations. New York only requires the consent of one party to legal ly tape a
conversation.”
    “Thanks, Charles. I’ll get back to you.”
    He hung up and joined Carrie on the couch. “I’ve got one,
maybe more, bad consultants on my staff. I’ve picked up some odd stats from
those reports you made. The number of placements leaving their job one day past
the date I pay the agent’s commission is very high for a few new consultants.
    “I didn’t know if they colluded with the new hire and split
the commission or placed overqualified people who then quit the jobs after I
paid the commission, but in either case I didn’t want them anymore.”
    Carrie nodded in understanding. Dan’s reputation depended
upon his people. If they couldn’t place candidates who would stay and perform
to expectation, he would lose his reputation as the best resource firm in the
city.
    “I called a staff meeting this morning to explain why I
fired three seemingly good consultants and reiterated the need for the
candidates to stay and work for the company. However, Destiny attended a party
somewhere last night and overheard the fired girl bitching about losing her
job. She didn’t understand why I let her go. She’d struggled at first to make
her quotas, but I didn’t fire her until one of the well-connected consultants
started giving her great candidates to send for interviews.
    He massaged his neck. “I suspect these candidates are the
same ones who quit the day after the commission is paid.”
    “But wouldn’t the commission go to the new girl?”