Free Project Northwest by C. B. Carter

still miffed and the lack of
friendly banter made the day even longer and more unbearable. To
everyone walking by, he and Shelly were just two professionals
working on a project.
    At five on the dot, James logged out of the
system and turned off the monitor. “Well, I’ll never bad-mouth a
report again, I will say that.”
    Shelly rubbed the back of her neck. “I know
what you mean.”
    “Can I leave now?”
    “Yes, I’m going to write up the summary and
will be leaving shortly.”
    James left the office without saying goodbye.
He had to do this, but he didn’t have to make it a pleasurable
experience. Maybe, just maybe, he could wear her down. He doubted
it, though, as she quickly established control and set the pace of
the questions. She was driven and that much was obvious. James
exited the data room knowing she was running the show. As far as
being discourteous for the purpose of manipulating control—he’d met
his match. James knew she would eventually win. She was far tougher
than he was and being disengaged didn’t fit in with his
personality.
    Bridget had called around three and said
she’d found the car. If they could get to the tow lot before seven,
they could gather the personal items and the insurance adjuster was
ready to meet them there at six.
    As he collected his items from his locker, he
recalled the only conversation between him and Shelly that wasn’t
about numbers, it was short and curt.
    “Was that her?” Shelly pryingly asked.
    “It was.”
    “She called late. I mean, I assumed she would
call earlier, several times throughout the day. You didn’t mention
your promotion.”
    “She used to call all the time, but I
explained personal calls were frowned upon. At any rate, leave her
out of this. That was the deal. Plus, I don’t hear the phone
ringing off the hook for you.”
    Shelly frowned. James found it difficult to
be mean and decided it best to not make it personal. “Yes, you’re
right. We should just stick to the job at hand,” she said and James
agreed. And they were back to the numbers. She only left the office
twice and announced to James and those listening that they were
both going to the restroom. James found the entire ordeal
oppressive and dreadful. They didn’t even take a lunch break.
    There was a light rain, almost a mist, as he
pulled into the condo parking lot and picked up Bridget. She
greeted him with a loving kiss and rubbed his neck.
    “You look exhausted. Did that investigator
give you a hard time?”
    “Who, Mr. Wright? No. I suspect he’ll contact
me in a week or two when he’s completed the investigation and
reported it to my superiors. It usually takes some time.”
    James thought, that’s why I didn’t tell
her about the promotion, Shelly . He wanted to scream it to all
those listening, but knew he couldn’t.
    “Wow, they’re serious over there at the bank.
Do you think he’s still spying on us?”
    “Probably, but I’m sure it’s dying down now.
Hopefully, he’s moved on to bigger fish.”
    Bridget was happy to hear it and couldn’t
hide her emotions as the smile beamed on her face and lit up the
entire car. Then her face soured. “What about the green?”
    “Oh, yeah. It wasn’t mine, and I’m sure they
will request a urinalysis. When it comes back clean I will be
fine.”
    She nodded her head in agreement. “Last night
was exciting, the whole cloak and dagger thing, but it was also
creepy,” she decreed as she settled into the passenger seat,
letting her thoughts reminisce of another great night at Green
Lake. “We’re going to Forty-Sixth Street. We should take
Aurora.”
    James felt Westlake would have less traffic,
but didn’t want to get into a discussion about the map she had hand
drawn and held in her hand. She loved navigating, but she didn’t
respond well to criticism. Her natural reaction was to get her way
and she was wearing her favorite slogan shirt: ‘I’m not bipolar,
I’m me-polar.’ James made his way onto