A Different Light by Mariah Stewart

Author:Mariah Stewart [Stewart, Mariah]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance
ISBN: 9780671868550
Publisher: Pocket
Published: 1995-09-15T05:00:00+00:00

16

Athen dressed more carefully than usual the next morning, deciding on a crisp black and white linen dress and black high heels that made her appear even taller than she was. She slipped on large gold button earrings and her gold watch. Standing back to inspect her appearance, she tried to put her finger on what, exactly, was wrong with the picture.

“It’s the hair,” she said aloud, standing in front of her dresser mirror. “I have too much hair. Long and straight may be fine for Callie, but it doesn’t do much for me if I want to say I mean business.”

She tried wrapping it in a bun, but there was simply too much of it. Never having been much of a hairstylist, she was all thumbs, but eventually decided to braid it and wrap the long braid at the nape of her neck.

“Not perfect, but neater, and certainly more professional. And as Meg would say, image is everything.”

She was in the building by eight o’clock, at her desk with coffee she’d prepared by 8:10, long before anyone else would arrive. As she’d suspected, the mail, which should have been piled ceiling high after a week’s absence, was nowhere to be seen. Her desk was perfectly clean, and she steamed with every minute that passed until Edie arrived—late, naturally—at nine thirty.

Hearing Edie’s banter with Rose at the other end of the hall, Athen went to the door of her office and leaned back against it.

“Good morning, Edie.” She forced herself to be pleasant.

“Oh, Athen.” Edie was visibly rattled to see her. “What are you … I mean, when did you …?”

“Yes, I’m much better, thank you. Nice of you to ask. And yes, it’s good to be back.” Athen attempted to smile though her jaws were clenched. “Edie, where’s the mail?”

“The mail?” Edie repeated nervously.

“My mail, Edie, the mail that comes addressed to this office every day. …”

“I—I took the mail home … to … sort it for you.” The woman stammered.

“Then I trust you brought it back.” Athen fixed her gaze on Edie’s face, which had developed a sudden tic.

“I … no … I guess I forgot it.”

“Then you’ll have to go back home and get it.” Athen turned for her office. “I’ll just be in here waiting, Edie. It shouldn’t take you more than, what, twenty minutes, thirty at the most, to go home and back again?”

Athen closed the door behind her, congratulating herself on her performance. She glanced at her watch. By now Edie would be in Jim Wolmar’s office, calling Dan and asking him what to do. And what instructions would he give her? Ignore Athen? Tell her it was stolen? Tell her the truth?

Athen began to pace. She wanted to call Ms. Evelyn, wanted to sit down and talk with her as soon as possible. Of course, Dan would know immediately. Edie would make sure of that the minute Ms. Evelyn arrived and the door closed behind them. It would be better for Athen to go to Ms.

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