Chapter 18

Jane glanced at the woman who had been nice enough to give her information about Tim, but she didn't want to talk about living in a refugee camp and what it was like to survive genocide. She understood the curiosity at the same time that she resented it. Would people ask these questions of a person that had survived any other tragedy? What was it like? Sometimes she wanted to scream, "What do you think it's like to have everyone around you die—and not even be able to remember how?" Jane's eyes darted away and around the room until Claudette touched her hand.

"Jane, I don't want to stir up unpleasant memories. I wanted to tell you to watch Jen because she has been telling your business to everyone. Well, those that listen to her." Claudette's lip twisted. "I don't like that one, but that's neither here nor there. I would have told you this anyways, but the fact that you are doing good by Tim makes me even more inclined."

As Jane's emotions began to settle, she offered Claudette a shaky smile. They got to the head of the line then and Jane ordered two slices of the lemon loaf to be placed in separate bags. Jen didn't know any of her business, though. So she had gossiped about her life in a Catholic girl's school. Jane didn't care about that.

"Listen," Claudette said after Jane had paid and they were leaving the shop. "I know you overheard some people saying things about you."

Jane frowned. Now that caught her by surprise. "How do you know all of this?"

"Because Rangbo, Singleton, Bradbury, and Marx is a small little world unto itself. And there are few secrets in this small little world, especially for us long-timers. There are those who come out of the temporary service, and they are the short-timers. They will get a call to work at another place, fill in an empty slot. But those like me, Diana, Lois, and a lot of the others that have been here for ten or more years know the real deal."

Jane listened intently.

"Please don't be discouraged. I know it's not easy. But you seem like a nice person and not everyone here …" They entered the elevator. Claudette waited until they were back on their floor before she continued. "Not everyone here acts or thinks like Jen."

Jane was touched that Claudette had made a point of talking to her about this. She smiled her appreciation.

"But you are going to have to do something about those shoes," Claudette whispered.

Jane laughed. She would make an emergency visit to the donation bin when she got home tonight. Maybe she would find something suitable until she got paid.

It was probably not something normally done in the office, and more than likely probably a little strange, but Jane reached forward and gave Claudette a hug. "Thank you," she whispered. She wanted to make Claudette aware that she wasn't offended by her comment about her shoes, and she found that she didn't care what anyone thought of it.

"I'm Aaron Rangbo's assistant. If you need anything ring me. My number is in the directory."

"I will."

Jane had a pleased smile on her face when she knocked on Tim's door and placed the bag containing his pastry on his desk. She also placed his change and the receipt there.

"Sorry, Tim, no donuts, but I got you a slice of lemon loaf pound cake."

Tim smiled. "Thank you, Jane."

Thank Claudette, she thought, because you nearly got a bear claw from the vending machine.

II

"Tim, Mr. Rangbo is here to see you," Jen said over his speakerphone. He checked his watch for the time. Damn, what does Aaron want! He didn't have time for this when he was trying to write the legal brief. It was something he and Corrine always did, and now he couldn't seem to get a handle on it.

"Send him in."

Tim stood and shook the hand of one of his partners. Aaron Rangbo was in his sixties and approaching retirement. He always looked tired, and he talked like Ben Stein. Tim never understood how anyone could sit through Aaron's arguments because people only wanted him to shut the hell up. He was nicknamed "Eeyore" after the slow talking stuffed donkey from Winnie the Pooh.

"How can I help you, Aaron?" And why didn't you call instead, for Chrissakes?

Aaron sat, not taking the not-so-subtle hint. "Is there a reason that you have two assistants?"

"Why do you ask? Do you need to borrow one?" Tim took his seat again.

"Hardly. Claudette barely has enough work as it is. She spends more time in the canteen than she does behind her desk."

"Yeah, and you wouldn't know what to do without her."

"True." Aaron became thoughtful.

It was rumored that Claudette was more than Aaron's assistant. Tim believed it to be true, though he didn't understand how Claudette could tolerate pillow talk with the man.

"But you didn't answer my question," Aaron continued.

"That was a real question? Sheesh, man, I thought that was a segue." He raised his brow then glanced at the door and lowered his voice. "I just want to make sure Jane knows the ropes before I let the other one go."

"Ahh, so it is true."

"True?"

"That you have one assistant training her replacement."

Tim sat back in his chair. "Well …"

"And they both know it." Aaron got up to leave and Tim was preparing to tell him to wait when Aaron finished his thought on his own. "And one is making life a living hell for the other."

Tim could only sit there stunned at those words. Well, he should have anticipated that. He'd screwed this up royally. Corrine would have thumped him on his head and said, "What were you thinking?"

He walked Aaron to the door and looked at Jen and Jane. They were quiet as they worked, and he realized that the quiet was filled with tension. Well, why the hell hadn't he noticed that before? He glanced at his watch. He had to deal with this right now.

"Jane. May I see you in my office?"

"Sure, Tim." She grabbed a small pad and ink pen. Then she followed him into his office with her shoes making soft squeaking sounds. She tried to walk softly, but that didn't help. She moved to sit and Tim stopped her.