Free Ash - the Sandstone Affair Part 1 by Priscilla West Page B

even my lunchbox left over from yesterday. I pull at a tag to see the word “EVIDENCE” written across it.

“Evidence? Evidence of what?”

“I’m sure if you search your soul deep enough, you’ll figure it out,” Kenneth says. He talks to me like I’m three years old and it always sends me into a tailspin.

“Drop the act and tell me what is going on or get the hell out of my office.”

I hear the click of the office door as the security guard closes it, shutting out the prying eyes and ears of my entire staff.   Mr. Allen reaches into his briefcase and brings out three legal sized manila folders, placing them in a line. The last folder is red.

“We’ve been watching Lynx for some time, Miss Sharp. Or, should I call you, ‘Miss Shark?’   That’s what your staff calls you. We saw it all over their inter-office instant messaging. We also saw some… shall we say… irregularities in the account management. We aren’t sure what we’re looking at yet, but if it’s anything serious you will be the first person we notify.”

“Irregularities? That’s bullshit. Where’s Mark? Why isn’t he here telling this to my face?”

I can see the gloating fire behind Kenneth’s eyes. “Mark is no longer in charge of your accounts. He turned all the necessary documentation over to Blake last week.”

Another news flash that hits me between the eyes.

“Why would he do that?”   It’s like trying to put together a puzzle where none of the pieces match in any way. I’m drowning in new information and none of it makes any sense.

Stop. Calm down, Julia. Breathe. You need to think.

“Because Mark is in charge of functioning properties, and this magazine no longer meets the criteria. Blake is in charge of acquisitions, transfers, merges and – in your case – closures.”

A surge of fury and something else, betrayal, clenches in my stomach.

“Closures? You’re closing Lynx?   You can’t do that! I still own forty-nine percent of this company, dammit. You can’t just come in here with some bullshit charge and then shut us down! I have some time for legal recourse.” This can’t be happening.

Kenneth opens the first folder. “You’re right, Miss Sharp. Of course, you’re always right, aren’t you? Enclosed is a copy of the injunction barring Lynx Magazine from any independent publication, action or pursuit until the terms of closure are finalized. The magazine can function only under the direction of Blake Stone until your time for rejoinder is finished.”

I stare at the stack of legal nonsense in front of me. I need to sit down but the only chair in the room has a box filled with files in it. I grip the back to steady myself as Kenneth opens the second folder.

What? There’s more? I’m trying to clear my vision.

“What you see in this document is the closure of Lynx Magazine, and transfer of contracts, staff, projects in development and all resources to another of Sandstone’s properties.”

Kenneth smiles like a hungry alligator.

“Everything here, except for one element, will be transferred to Ladies World under the direction of Valerie James. And finally,” Kenneth clears his throat, smiling broadly as he opens the red folder. He pretends to offer it to me then pulls it back. The security guard has both my arms behind my back so he knew I couldn’t take it in the first place.   “Well, I can see you’re upset. I’ll just read it.”

“Yes, please do” I snarl.

“Julia Sharp, by executive order of Blake Stone, Co-President of Sandstone Ventures, due to the pending closure of Lynx and transfer of its resources to a magazine that already has an editor-in-chief, your position has been declared redundant and your services are no longer required. Pursuant to contract section V paragraph 3A – you are hereby terminated from your position.”

He hands the folder to a guard and sits down behind my desk while his superior smile still gleams. I look around