More Complications

Sophia

I kept tapping my knees nervously as he pored through a document. The two men seated beside me on both sides only made matters worse for me. When I had entered his large office and saw the two men, I initially thought they were police men, and I was sure I would be arrested. However, it turned out that they were the external auditors that had been hired to check the company records.

I knew I was innocent, but the fact remained that a large sum of money was missing which I couldn’t account for. I was very meticulous and no discrepancy in my job went unnoticed by me. This was going to be a big blow to my career and, worse, I could even land in jail.

“These two men will handle the checking of the company’s records. You will be required to give them all they need whenever they request.

They will start with the other divisions before getting to yours,” Dominick glanced up at me and said after he finished reading.

“And why’s that?” I asked.

“Because your division is accounting and since you claim the deficit must come from the other divisions, I will respect you and check the others first,” he answered.

“But isn’t it a tad too early? Why not give us time to investigate the problem internally,” I suggested.

“You were given enough time when you were told to prepare your reports. This is how we will proceed now,” Dominick concluded. “You may leave,” he said to the two men seated beside me.

They adjusted their suits before exiting the office.

“You really think I took the money, don’t you?” I asked after the men had both left.

“All fingers seem to be pointed at you from everything I see,” Dominick answered.

“I have served in this organization for over eight years. I have had the opportunity to launder money all these years, but I didn’t and my records have been clean.”

“Until now!”

The finality of his tone hinted that he didn’t want to continue haggling with me over my innocence or guilt.

“Yes, your records have been cleaned up until now. In my experience, I have seen that people change. I don’t make any exceptions,” he said.

“Why not arrest me then?” I asked. “Since people change, and you think I stole the money, why don’t you arrest me?”

He remained silent for a few moments.

“Why should I arrest you when I don’t have a shred of proof that you did it? You are only being investigated because you are the head of the accounting division and should know about the movement of funds in and out of the organization. For all I know/care*, it could be someone under you who did it.”

I said nothing and waited for him to continue.

“The date for your trip to Switzerland has been brought forward.”

I shot him a questioning look.

“I am being investigated for theft, and you want me to leave the country?” I asked.

“That shouldn’t be a problem if you are sure you didn’t take the money. I am not scared you might run away to the sunset or something.”

“Stop patronizing me. You know I didn’t take that money,” I said my voice reaching a higher pitch.

“If I was so sure you took it, then I wouldn’t be sending you on this trip. Besides that, I told you I needed you to complete that training. You are one of our best labor assets in this company, and we need your brains for this.”

“When do I leave for Switzerland?” I asked.

“You leave in three days.”

My eyes widened.

“That’s not possible,” I protested.

“And why is that?”

“I have several things I am sorting out on my own end. I have some personal matters I am still dealing with.”

“Listen, Sophia. I am tired of always hearing about your personal issues. Even when I speak to David, he keeps telling me you have personal problems you are dealing with, and I should consider them.

This is what you signed up for. If you think it’s too much for you, then I suggest you just resign and face your issues.”

I swallowed.

“Do you even have any shred of emotion in you?” I asked, not being sure what made me so bold to ask that.

“I do, but you and I also know one cannot allow emotion in business,” he replied.

I began fighting the tears forming at the back of my eyes. There was no way I was going to cry there in front of him. His harshness combined with all the stress I was feeling seemed too much for me to handle.

“I have a question to ask,” I suddenly said.

“I’m listening.”

“Last night… You carried me to bed last night. Why did you do that?” I asked.

He leaned backwards in his chair.

“I knew you were tired and needed rest,” he said.

“But why did you carry me?” I asked.

“Don’t start having funny ideas. I was only being nice, that’s all,’ he answered.

There was silence for a few moments, then I spoke.

“Would that be all for now?” I asked him.

“Yes,” he answered.

I got up and headed for the door when I heard his voice.

“By the way, there’s one more development.”

I turned and looked at him.

“What is it?” I asked.

“An anonymous letter came in by post this morning.”

“We receive letters every day,” I noted.

“This one is different. Whoever sent this claims you are an addict.”