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  “Yea, right, like that took a lot of effort. You were a willing accomplice.”

  “Not as willing now as I was. If there was a way to take it back I would.”

  “Please, give me a break,” Mark shrugged and left the office. There is no way she knows anything; she’s just a woman. Maybe I need to call Craig and see if he’s ready to pay me what I want to join his company. I think I’ve let him suffer enough. Smiling, he entered his office.

  Daryl reached down and picked up his planner. What did I do with my pen? There it is. As he reached over, he noticed that his intercom light was on. Damn! He was always leaving the line open, always forgetting to close the connection when he finished. I’ve heard some strange things when I’ve left it open in the past, he smiled. He switched it off, realizing he’d left it on after asking Mark to step into his office.

  Charlie rushed to his desk, looked around to make sure Daryl hadn’t arrived yet and exploded into Jana’s office without knocking. “Jana you are not going to believe what I just heard!”

  “Charlie, you didn’t even knock. What’s going on?”

  “This can’t wait. I need to tell you what’s right under your nose. See, I had to deliver a file to Mark. He wasn’t in his office so I went in and laid it on his desk. As I was leaving I heard voices.” He saw Jana roll her eyes. “No, not extra-terrestrial voices, I heard Daryl and Mark talking. They were in Daryl’s office; he must have left the intercom open. Anyway, I didn’t mean to ease drop, but I couldn’t help it. I overheard them talking about inflating their travel expenses. Daryl said something about this being the first time he did it but Mark said he’d been doing it for years even when Craig was here. I wanted you to know before you met with Daryl.” Charlie finally stopped for a breath.

  Jana eyes narrowed and her lips curled into a predatory grin, “Was there anything else?”

  Charlie started to continue, then paused, his eyes widening as the realization swept over him. “You knew didn’t you? The meeting this morning was your way of stalking your prey. You knew. Oh my God, what’s going on?”

  Jana silently sat back in her chair, holding an expensive Mont Blanc pen in both hands.

  “You need to be careful, Mark is pissed off; I didn’t understand all of his comments, but he doesn’t like you; that part I’m sure,” Charlie cautioned.

  Jana nodded, her steady composure calming the excited Charlie. “I can’t tell you any more than what you already know. I can assure you; I’ve got this under control.”

  “You’ve actually been stalking them haven’t you? I can’t believe you’ve been able to lull your prey into your den. They are so screwed. I love it. Okay, I’ll go wait for Daryl and let you know when he gets here. This is turning out to be a very exciting day.” Charlie bounced back to his desk, his body displaying the excitement he felt. When Daryl arrived he buzzed Jana. “He’s here; do you want me to send him in?”

  “Let him wait a few minutes. I’ll buzz you when I’m ready, okay?”

  “I’ll take care of it.” Charlie hung up the phone and turned to Daryl. “Have a seat, she’s finishing up something and will be with you shortly. It shouldn’t be long.” Charlie watched as Daryl hesitantly took a seat and waited; he was sweating and fidgeting. Charlie couldn’t help but smile with a touch of sympathy. This man is going down.

  Both men flinched in surprise as the line to Jana’s office rang. “Okay Charlie, send him in.”

  Charlie looked up and told Daryl that Jana would see him now.

  Daryl took his handkerchief from his back pocket and wiped his face. Charlie watched him run his hands up and down his pant legs.

  This guy is in serious trouble, oh well, his problem not mine. Charlie reached for the intercom dialing Mark’s office. “Mark, Jana wants to see you.”

  There was a moment of silence, and then Mark replied, “Yea, I’ll be right there.”

  Jana stood and came around her desk, greeting Daryl as he entered her office. Put him at ease, then attack. “This won’t take long. I just wanted to talk to each division chief on ways they felt we could better control travel costs. I’ve found that a lot of the expense accounts are inflated-well, not inflated or excessive, but I’m not sure we are always taking advantage of using the corporate travel office for flights and rooms. Your division’s costs, at least for this last trip, are 10% higher. Is there a reason that you are aware of? I know you were on that trip, what do you think?”

  Jana paused, allowing a heavy silence to fall over the room. “I looked over your expense record and your costs for food exceeded that of our contractors, and of Cheryl’s staff. Didn’t you eat together? I thought that’s what I’d heard.”

  “Well, we did, and we didn’t-I mean-there were times when I was, uh, still hungry, after the meals, so-um-I-um, I ordered things to take back to the room.”

  “So you ordered room service?”

  “Well, not exactly. I actually ordered things to take with me to the room.”

  “Really, you were that hungry? You don’t look any bigger.” She smiled, shifting in her chair, making herself more comfortable, inviting a friend to friend discussion.

  Daryl relaxed, noting no hostility in Jana’s body language. Maybe Mark was right, she doesn’t have a clue. “Bigger, no I actually lost weight on the trip. Some of the Asian food just doesn’t agree with me.”

  “Why then would you order an additional meal to take to your room?” Jana’s tone was concern, almost a motherly interest.

  Daryl looked up, noting the concern was not motherly; it was predatory, a stalk-and-ambush approach, and he knew she was not going to let this one go. Shaking his head in defeat, tears filled his eyes.

  “What’s the matter Daryl? Aren’t you feeling well? Can I get you a glass of water?”

  “Jana, I’m so sorry. I have a confession,” he sniffed, taking his handkerchief out and wiping his eyes and nose.

  “And that would be?”

  “I lied.” Crying harder he buried his face in his hands.

  “You lied? Daryl what’s going on? I don’t understand. You lied about what?”

  Daryl remained bent over, sobbing and shaking his head in despair. “I knew it was wrong, but I submitted my travel claim from my last trip with exaggerated food costs on it. I falsified my travel expenses. It’s the only time but I did it and I’m truly sorry. I haven’t been paid yet, so I guess legally I didn’t commit fraud, but I did try and I’m so sorry.”

  Jana folded her hands and considered his answer. “Would it surprise you to know that I was aware you did this?”

  Daryl’s head popped up, his eyes wide with fear. “But I was told there was no way you would know.”

  “Really? Did Mark tell you that?”

  “No, Mark, no he didn’t tell me. Why-why would you think Mark would tell me something like that?”

  No longer compassionate, she was now the dogged prosecutor. “Daryl, don’t add complicity to your sins. Mark is involved in this isn’t he? In fact I’m convinced he told you about it in one of his drunken escapades, and instead of reporting him, you decided it sounded like easy money. Am I right?”

  “No, that’s not true. Yes, I traveled with Mark, but we spent very little time together.”

  “You and Mark had a heated discussion in the bar at the hotel. What was that about?”

  How could she know about that? “It wasn’t about anything.”

  “Define anything Daryl. Remember what you say will be used against you in a court of law-yes I intend to prosecute. Tell me again, am I right about Mark?”

  Daryl folded; his resolve gone. She’d broken him. He didn’t intend to save Mark; hell, he wasn’t even sure he could save himself. “Yes, you are. Mark has been doing this, according to his story for over five years. He told me after he had a few too many.” He wrung his shaking hands and continued, “I was the only one there. I didn’t realize anyone saw us. Anyway he told me it was easy and no one would know.” Daryl watched Jana, waiting for her respon
se.

  “I’m really disappointed Daryl, and I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t. Since you chose this path I’ll tell you what I now expect you to do.” Jana rose to her feet, towering in her stilettos over Daryl as he seemed to shrink into his chair. She held out a piece of paper. “You’ll sign this resignation. Once done you will leave by my back entrance. Security will meet you and assist you in clearing out your office. As of this moment you no longer work for me.”

  Daryl shook his head. This can’t be happening. “Jana you can’t fire me. I’ve given you over twenty years of dedicated service. This is my only mistake. Please don’t do this; I have a family, a son in college.”

  “Daryl, first of all I’m not firing you, you’re resigning. When you have time to think about it, you’ll agree I’m doing you a big favor. Second, if I don’t do this and the word gets out, which it will, everyone will think they can get away with stealing from this company. You really should have thought about your wife and son before you did this. To think you threw it all away for less than $500. The good news for you, and in this I feel I’m being quite forgiving, I’m not going to prosecute you for fraud. I’m letting you walk away. I won’t give you a reference, but I won’t pass on what you did to another employer unless they call and ask me directly. There will be no notation on this action in your personnel records. If by chance you get another job, and the new employer asks for your history files, they will be clean. That’s all I’m willing to do, and I only do that because of your wife and son and the twenty years of service.” Jana walked to the door and opened it, noting the security officer waiting.

  Daryl signed the resignation, dropped the pen on the desk and walked through the door.

  Jana closed it behind him. That’s one down and one to go. She walked to her desk and pushed the intercom switch, “Charlie, please send Mark in and call Detective Monroe at the number on the card I left on your desk. Let me know the minute he gets here.”

  Charlie looked up at Mark pacing the lobby. “Mark, she’ll see you now.”

  “It’s about damn time,” he mumbled. He walked into Jana’s office and took a seat in one of the wing chairs in front of her desk. “So what kind of mess do you need me to bail you out of this time? You know I didn’t buy the travel expense foolishness from the meeting this morning. So come clean, what is it?”

  Jana pushed her chair back, creating more space and providing her with a fuller view of her adversary. She used the trappings of power, the executive desk and furnishings to her advantage. “Excuse me, Mark, did I miss something?”

  “No, YOU wanted to see ME.” Calming himself, he continued, “When Craig needed to see me he always wanted me to fix something he had screwed up.”

  “Really? It seems you’re invaluable to the organization. I never realized Craig depended on you so much.”

  Jana’s sarcasm was lost on Mark. “Sure there were a lot of instances when he would have been in big trouble without me. So what do you want me to fix for you?”

  “Actually I’ve no idea what you’re talking about, but I don’t need you to fix anything for me. The reason for this meeting is to establish travel rates for our employees. I want my manager’s input before I make a final decision.”

  “Sure, right, okay my travel expense account. It is, and always has been, accurate to the penny. I submit it every month on time, though I have to say your accountants aren’t real fast in getting the checks back to me.” He leaned back, his hands behind his head. “Other than that all is well, anything else?”

  Jana’s eyes closed slightly as she stood, watching her prey. Where is that detective? “Mark, let’s cut to the chase.” Her intercom buzzed and she lifted the receiver. “Yes, Charlie what is it?”

  “He’s here; do you want me to send him in?”

  “Yes, please.” The door opened and Detective Monroe entered. Jana greeted him with a handshake. “Thanks for coming on such short notice.”

  “Not a problem, is this the gentleman you wanted me to meet?”

  “Yes exactly. Mark, this is Detective Monroe. He’s here to arrest your ass for the fraud you perpetrated against my company over the past five years. From the accountant’s initial review, you have,” she picked up a spreadsheet, “filed excessive travel expense records for over $8,000. Detective Monroe tells me that’s a felony.”

  Detective Monroe laughed softly, “Jana, please let me have some fun here too.” He removed his hand cuffs from his pocket and indicated, with his head, for Mark to stand up.

  “You can’t put those on me,” Mark screeched.

  “Actually, I can. You’ve committed a crime, and now you’ll get a chance to request an attorney and pay your debt to society.” He grasped Mark’s right hand and pulled it behind him as he read him his Miranda rights. He brought the left hand back and secured the cuffs. “Let’s go.”

  “Jana you can’t let him take me out like this. I have a reputation to think about.”

  “Yes, that’s true, we all do, but you should have thought more about yours before you did this.” Her eyes never left his as she dropped the spreadsheet in the trash.

  “Craig-Craig-he knew I was doing this. He never had a problem with it.”

  “I find that hard to believe Mark, but even if it’s true, it has nothing to do with me.”

  “Sure it does, he was having an affair with the secretary in Purchasing while you were married, and I covered for him. He told me he would make it worth my while, but he never did, so I took care of it myself.”

  “Detective Monroe, can we take that as a confession?” Jana chuckled. “You know Mark you’re the loser here. It’s unfortunate Craig didn’t take you with him to protect his little secret. I personally have no reason to protect you. He’s all yours.” Jana walked over and opened the door. “Thanks again Detective Monroe.”

  Mark snarled. “What about my office...my stuff?”

  “Right now it’s my stuff until we’re done with our investigation. Let your attorney know, they can contact me direct for status. Have a good life Mark. Understand I intend to prosecute you to the full extent of the law.” She turned away and ignored his further protests as the Detective pushed him out the door.

  Jana walked over to her desk, sat down and leaned back in her chair. Ten, nine, eight, seven six, five. Her door opened and Charlie walked in. “You’re getting old Charlie, it took you five seconds to get into my office, and for the second time today you didn’t knock. What am I going to do with you?”

  He saw the gleam in her eyes, the flush in her cheeks, the satisfaction of the stalk and kill. “Do you need me to do anything for you?”

  “Yes, call Cheryl and ask her to come down. Then call Mike and ask him to stop by in about 30 minutes.”

  Jana had that “this isn’t the time to chat” look, so Charlie followed orders. He called Cheryl and asked her to come to Jana’s office as soon as she could. When she entered Jana’s lobby Charlie told her she could go in.

  Cheryl opened the door and entered Jana’s office. What the hell is going on? Charlie never let’s anyone in without announcing them – what’s going on? I know she met with Daryl and Mark.

  “Cheryl, come in and have a seat.” Jana walked around the desk and took a seat facing her. “I need to let you in on some secrets.”

  Cheryl shook her head, “Okay.”

  “You know I met with Daryl and Mark already, right?”

  “Yes, that was the plan you told us about from our meeting this morning.”

  “Well there was more to it than that. I just want you to listen to all I have to say and then I’ll try to answer your questions. Daryl and Mark no longer work for me. Each in their own way have either resigned, or been terminated for cause. They both committed fraud, but only one of them walked away with money. Daryl’s offense was fraud with a lot of stupidity thrown in for good measure. I let him resign.” Jana paused, running her hand along her suit skirt. “Mark is another story. He committed numerous frauds over the past five years
, and my intent is to prosecute him to the fullest extent of the law. What all this means to you is that you are now my Deputy Director and second in command.”

  Cheryl twisted her hands, her mouth opened in anticipation of Jana’s next comment.

  Jana continued, “I need you to get with our headhunter and see if you can identify some viable replacements for both of them as quickly as possible. The longer we delay this process the more work you and I will have to take on. If you have any ideas on potential candidates, either internal or external, I’d like to see their resume. I want your recommendations and we’ll take it from there.”

  Cheryl couldn’t help it, she fidgeted when she was excited, unprofessional as it was, and this was the best news Jana could have given her. “I’m sorry, but I think this is great. Those two have been a major pain in the ass for a couple of years. Since they joined forces in Macau they’ve been unbearable to work with. I’ll admit I’m excited and a little scared with the position I now hold, but I’ll make sure you never regret your decision.”

  Jana laid her hand on Cheryl’s arm, “I know that. Working with you is going to be great. All that aside, can we do dinner one night next week? I think we need a ladies night out. What do you say?”

  “I’m game; just tell me when and where.” Cheryl leaned back in her chair, prompting a moment of silence. “I do have one question.”

  “Sure; anything.”

  “Tell me about the young stud you left the dinner with last night.”

  “With everything that transpired this morning that’s your only question?” Jana’s eyes brightened as she prepared to reveal some deep dark secret, almost purring. “Not now, he’s on his way here and I need to freshen up just a little, but we can discuss it in detail over drinks, later, okay.”

  “Yes, that sounds great, I can’t wait.”

  “Thanks Cheryl, now get out of here, I just gave you a lot to do and not a lot of time to make it happen. If you need anything, have a question, or just want to talk come see me. Don’t let anything fester, okay.”