In a Heartbeat Read Online Free

to staunch the flow. A printout on Wilson’s desk titled Vendor Masterfile caught her attention.
    “One other question,” she added. “When someone makes a change to the vendor masterfile, is a report printed out?” Tom nodded his head, his patronizing smile still in place. “And do you initial it to designate your approval?”

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    Donna Richards
    “Ms. Blake,” Renard interrupted, “I’d like to see you in my office for a moment.”
    “I have a few more questions for Mr. Wilson,” she protested.
    “Now,” he insisted.
    She rose and silently followed him out of the office and down the hall.
    He closed the door behind her and leaned in close. Too close. The scent of his woodsy cologne transported her back to their previous confrontation at the Hyatt. Only this time, she didn’t have the support of a limo door to reinforce her shaky knees.
    “These questions of yours are a waste of time,” Renard stated without preamble.
    “What are you talking about?” She bristled. “I’m following the standard audit questionnaires to determine internal control strengths and weaknesses.” There. He had to respect that she had established procedures on her side.
    “Then your standard questionnaires are asinine. Who cares if some printout is initialed or not.”
    That hurt. His lack of appreciation drained some of the wind from her sails, but she still rallied. “It’s visible proof that someone did their job.
    How else do you know that someone checked the report for improper changes?”
    “You trust them to do their job.” His tone, low and cold, held more command than if he had shouted. “All initials prove is someone has an ego problem.”
    Takes one to recognize one. She clenched her jaw to keep from repeating the childish refrain.
    “You’ll cease asking these useless questions immediately.”
    “I’m not your employee,” she reminded him.
    “Thank God for that.” He glared. “I would hate my first official act as the new CEO to be to fire the auditors.”
    She felt the blood drain from her face. He could do that. He could fire the whole firm of Falstaff and Watterson if he wanted. She swallowed, 20
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    In a Heartbeat
    backing up a step. One call and she’d lose her promotion and most likely her job.
    “I’m sorry,” he said, avoiding her gaze. He raised a hand to his forehead and stepped around the desk. “I shouldn’t have said that.”
    “I’m only doing my job,” she said around the lump in her throat. “I can have Max ask these questions if you prefer, but I need to have the answers to document any internal control weaknesses.”
    “Internal control weaknesses?” He raised his gaze to hers. His eyes narrowed slightly. “Do you really think not initialing some report is an internal control weakness?” She nodded, though without enthusiasm. He braced his arms on his desk. “Or maybe you’re looking for things that aren’t there, like drugs in a limousine.”
    “Is that what this is about?” Her spine stiffened. This reprimand wasn’t about business after all. “You’re still upset about the other night?”
    An awkward pause hung in the air. Renard sighed and his shoulders sagged a bit. Angela noted dark shadows under his eyes that she hadn’t noticed earlier. “Look,” he said. “I’m just suggesting that some of your questions are targeted at the wrong things. This company is losing money and that’s not because someone forgot to initial a report.”
    “Well, thank you for your observations of my professional prowess, Mr. Renard. I’ll take your observations under consideration.” Like hell I will . She turned to storm out of the office.
    “One more thing,” he shuffled papers around on his desk, “when you are interviewing or working with my people, you will wear pants or a longer skirt.”
    She stopped abruptly, and turned. Heat flared from her face. “You think my skirt is too short?”
    “How you dress on your