Glass Hearts

Chapter 34: Snooping

I speed through the office lobby with my briefcase in hand and go straight to the desk. The security guard shifts his attention from the monitors and smiles at me.

"Morning, Ms. Capbell."

"Good morning, Doug. Anything interesting on?" I say, motioning to the computer screen.

Doug chuckles as he inspects my security badge. "Nothing much. I did have to go up to the fourth floor earlier."

"My floor? What for?"

Doug hands the badge back to me. "The lady up there needed help with the security system."

"You must mean Donna."

I stuff the badge into my bag with a puzzled expression. Why was Donna dealing with the security system and not Kevin? I want to ask him some follow-up questions, but another employee waits for their turn behind me.

"Thanks for the help. I hope it wasn't too much trouble."

"I needed the exercise." He jokes.

Doug buzzes me through the security gate. I wave before dashing onto the empty elevator. I didn't have much time in the bathroom to do my makeup, so the elevator reflection is going to have to do. Sweeping my curls out of my face, I tie my hair in a loose high ponytail. I may not have laid my baby hairs, but my hair cooperates enough to make the style look intentional.

As soon as I got home last night, I passed out. I didn't even change out of my work clothes. I laid my head on my pillow and was carried off into a deep and restful sleep. When I finally woke up, I had to wipe the drool off my face and throw on whatever outfit I had ready to go in my closet.

I'm usually not one to sleep through alarms, but I guess I was finally comfortable and relaxed enough to sleep through the night. I haven't felt this charged in a long time. There are usually so many stray thoughts and worries that run through my head when I'm trying to drift to sleep. Walking through the park must have helped me release those pent-up thoughts and wasted my reserved energy. Hopefully, Kevin didn't need me for anything in the forty minutes I was trying to get here. I tried to give him a head's up, but he didn't answer his phone.

I put on a brave face when the elevator doors open. Shoulders back and head high, I exude confidence when I step out. The last thing I want is to come into the office looking frazzled. My co-workers may be all smiles when I'm in view, but I'm sure they notice when I don't look put together or appear uneasy. I can't let them catch me off guard, even for a moment. I don't know how Kevin does it.

Donna scurries from behind the reception desk. "Oh, Samantha. I'm so glad you're here now!"

My brow creases. "What's wrong, Donna?"

"This morning has been all over the place!" She exclaims, throwing her hands in the air.

People type away at their cubicles but a few ladies in the back glance our way with perked ears. I steer Donna back to her desk.

"Let's try to be a bit quieter. We wouldn't want to disturb the others would we?"

She seems to pick up on my meaning and nods.

"Shanelle is in your office." She whispers.

My eyes narrow into slits. "And why is that?"

"She went in there to take the Casaletto phone call. The agent asked to speak with you, but I explained that you weren't here yet and that I could take a message. Shanelle overheard and tried to take the phone from me, but I wouldn't give it to her. She went in there and transferred the call to your office line anyway."