Hard to Handle by Raven Scott Page B

relieved that he was not about to penalize her with micromanagement or additional scrutiny.
    The next couple of hours were uneventful. Kaylee worked quietly at her desk, taking notes and planning her schedule to attend various social and community events. She also sent a text message to Rosalie, suggesting they meet for coffee or lunch that week so they could catch up on things. It would be an opportunity for Kaylee to let her friend know that she was no longer assigned to city politics and therefore would not use the budget information shared weeks earlier.
    At about quarter to four o’clock, she went to the bathroom, which was located on the opposite side of the floor beside one of the staircases. Though Kaylee was distracted while leaving the facilities, reading emails on her cell phone, she paused after pushing the exit door open a crack. Jason Holt’s voice was low, but her name rang clear in the narrow pathway as he walked by.
    â€œStone has been shut down. I told you on Friday . . .”
    Kaylee closed the door and paused there for several seconds, processing the words while her heartbeat started thudding hard in her chest. Shut down? What did that mean? She slowly pushed the bathroom door open, listening intently for Jason’s voice or any sign of where he had gone. The hallway to the bathroom was empty and quiet. Kaylee looked at the exit to the staircase on her right, then crept over and pushed on the heavy door so it opened slowly just a little, then leaned in close to listen for any sound. He was in there, maybe one flight down and speaking in a nervous, urgent tone, but too quiet for her to hear all the words.
    â€œI did what you asked.... When?” he demanded, clearly frustrated.
    Seconds later, his footsteps echoed loudly, suggesting he was moving again. Kaylee quickly let go of the door and rushed back to her desk, trying her best to look normal. She looked around her work area, but no one else seemed to notice her flustered, agitated state. Only about sixty seconds passed before Jason emerged from the hallway, walking with determined steps toward his office, which was not far from her desk. He was no longer on the phone, but his eyes were fixed on its screen as he tapped actively at an application. Kaylee quickly looked at her computer, holding her breath as he passed by. She glanced over her shoulder when he disappeared into the office and out of view.
    â€œJason, do you have a second?” It was Albert Thompson, one of the staff photographers, walking up to the editor’s door. “I need to show you those pictures. They’re due in production within the next five minutes.”
    A moment later, Jason walked out and followed Albert across the room. Kaylee noticed right away that he did not have his cell phone. She looked around. Everyone else in the office seemed to be going on about their business. She stood up, taking her phone and a few sheets of paper with her, and walked to Jason’s office. A quick glance over at Albert’s desk told her both men were sitting in front of his computer screen, intently focused on the images displayed. Kaylee took a deep breath and walked into the room, immediately spotting Jason’s cell phone, face up on the desk. As she approached it, the device vibrated with a message notification and the screen lit up to display the message.
    Kaylee paused to look back at the office entrance, listening to see if she could hear anyone nearby. Then she quickly opened the camera app on her phone and took a picture of Jason’s cell phone screen, capturing the message details.
    â€œWhat are you doing in here, Kaylee?” Jason demanded in a harsh voice.
    Kaylee quickly turned around, placing the papers in her hand over his cell phone.
    â€œI was just dropping off the first draft of the central library article,” she improvised in a calm voice, quickly walking past him and out of his office.
    â€œKaylee!” She closed her eyes