Turning the Page Read Free Page A

made and forms he needed Jane to fill out for him. After today he had a lot to do, and he needed to get organized in order to get it done.
    “Working late, I see,” Gary said after knocking once on his door.
    “Long day without a break.” Malcolm continued making notes, afraid he’d lose his train of thought. “I really need to get this finished.” Part of the reason for working late was so that he could actually finish things up before going home. It certainly wasn’t for chitchatting and wasting time. “Is it important?”
    “I don’t know,” Gary said, drawing out his words, which always meant he had a bone to pick. “Do you have something against the standard dress code for the office?”
    “I do. You’re going overboard, and I won’t enforce it.” Malcolm sat back, now that he was done.
    “I will.”
    “Not with my staff you won’t,” Malcolm said levelly. He wasn’t going to argue about this. “Jane can wear whatever type of shoes she dang well pleases. This isn’t a sweatshop, it’s a place of business, and I want our associates and clients to feel welcome and comfortable, not like they walked back into the fifties. Jane always looks impeccable, and this dress code is ridiculous, so rework it and let everyone go back to the way things were.”
    “We need to present a proper image.”
    Malcolm stood. “You were elected senior partner to lead this firm. But you won’t do that effectively if you go around solving problems that don’t exist. I suggest you work on bringing in more clients and revenue. Look at who’s producing what and work with the lowest producers to help them. That’s what you should be doing, not worrying about dress codes and superficial things. Help to bring in high-profile clients. That’s your job.” Malcolm began gathering up his things for the evening. He liked to have his desk cleared and organized for the following day.
    “I don’t need a lecture,” Gary said more loudly than necessary.
    Malcolm walked over and closed the door. “You’ll get one if you keep up this pissant stuff. Harlan was a master at bringing in new business for all of us. That’s what you’re being paid to do. You have the contacts, so get out and work them, find out what’s shaking, and leave this office control stuff alone. This firm runs on the quality of our people, and every single person out there is the best at what they do. Don’t make problems for yourself. That’s all I’m saying.” He softened his voice. “I wouldn’t have voted for you if I didn’t think you were up to the job.”
    “I guess….”
    Malcolm smiled. “We all make mistakes. Put this behind you and get on to what’s really important.” He picked up his case and opened the office door. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
    Gary followed him out and went quietly through to his corner office. Malcolm hated talking to him that way, but he’d tried a different approach before and gotten nowhere. He made a mental note to talk to Gary in the morning and make sure things were back where they should be.
    He checked through the office area, noting those who were still working, meeting a few gazes, and then he turned and left.
    Malcolm rode the elevator down to his car and stopped on the way home at one of his favorite restaurants for takeout. The man at the counter put in his usual order as soon as he saw him, and it was ready in a few minutes. Malcolm took his gyro and Greek salad home and ate in front of the television, then threw away the trash and put his feet up. He ended up dozing off for a while, read a little, and at ten o’clock he turned off the television, laid out his clothes for the morning, showered, brushed his teeth, and got into bed, sleeping on his side of the bed the way he always did.
    It wasn’t until after he got into bed that his routine changed. Normally he spent time thinking of David and their life together; it made him feel less alone. But tonight a pair of blue eyes, similar to