Merging Assets by Cheryl Dragon

and it might go badly. Her boss might be threatened by her so we don’t know exactly what’s going on.”
    “Who’s the source?” Lance asked.
    “I have a friend in HR there. He’s not high up and more plant-based, but he’s overheard things and people tell him stuff. HR is reviewing the worker relationship policy, as well.” Fred didn’t want to give the worst piece of info, but he might have to for his own sanity.
    “So we didn’t disclose the relationship after the first date, and we’re in trouble? It’s still fairly new,” Andy said.
    “Disclosure is required, but the policy is vague. I checked. My contact thinks they might just be looking for any legit reason to get rid of Crystal so she’s not competition for promotions and so on going forward,” Fred explained.
    “Get rid of her?” Roman asked.
    “Fire her.” Fred shrugged.
    “Or be annoying and difficult enough to make her leave. Throw enough small rocks at someone, and they’ll go the other way,” Lance grumbled.
    “She’s been promoted once already. They have to see her value,” Roman replied.
    Fred nodded. “I’d like to think so. My friend said her file is sterling, but the person she replaced left the company, another woman who was a strong candidate. I guess she had twins or something and went full-time mom. Crystal’s former boss had nothing but praise, but now, he and she are on the same level managing different accounting groups.”
    “So now, she’s the competition for any promotion,” Roman said.
    “Exactly,” Fred replied.
    “But she’s the most recently promoted so it’d make sense if another job opened up, that her old boss or someone else on that level already would get it first. All things being equal, she’s got the least time managing people.” Andy grabbed his stress ball from his desk and started squeezing.
    “But if she’s smarter, quicker, or better—the employees know it. If she’s doing well, it’s not a secret. If they want to keep her down, it won’t be easy, unless they get rid of her.” Lance nodded.
    “It’s a lot of speculation. We don’t know what the CFO or HR actually plans to do. We just need to be prepared that she might need us tonight. Or tomorrow. We don’t need to be shocked or interrogate her. Just be there for her, let her tell us what happened, and we can get angry about it then.” Fred resumed pacing even though the office was fuller now.
    Lance nodded. “They’ll use us. Our relationship and everything they can. Anything she asked for that was more than the others or her quick promotion—it’ll all be thrown in her face.”
    Andy set the stress ball down. “Which is why we need to be strong. Be there for her and deal with whatever we can.”
    “She doesn’t need us running to her rescue. She’d be pissed,” Roman said.
    “That’s not what I mean. If she gets fired, we can ask her to move in. Save her paying rent on her own place. She stays with us most of the time anyway, now. We’re not going to be jerks trying to rush in there because she can’t handle it. She can. But we can make it easier,” Fred said.
    “Distract her.” Lance grinned.
    “That’s the right thinking.” Roman nodded.
    “Good. Just wanted everyone to know.” Fred left the office and needed a nap. He felt beaten and bruised by the corporation system, and nothing had officially happened yet. The stress of not knowing and waiting was worse. When the shit hit the fan, at least, they could dodge then clean it up.
    * * * *
    The great relationship had Crystal on a natural high. Most people were supportive. She’d filled out the form to disclose the relationship to HR and put it in the file over a week ago. So far, nothing had gone wrong. Even the trucking contracts had been renegotiated quickly and favorably.
    Hopefully, the meeting was about that.
    Himmel’s door was open, and she peeked in. Douglas was there again. Crystal had hoped the substantial savings would make the guy’s jobs