“Then consider yourself better off for it.”
Henrietta speared her with a hard look. “How much does Derian have to do with
how unhappy you look right now?”
“Absolutely nothing,” Emily said instantly.
Whatever had gone so terribly wrong between her and Derian was entirely between
them. “Derian was a tremendous help and the entire staff is appreciative.”
“I see,” Henrietta said, looking as if she
really did see but was kind enough not to probe any further. “I want you to take
a few weeks off. Go home, see your sister.”
“I can’t go now,” Emily said. “You’re not
coming back to work—”
“I can handle from home whatever Vonnie and
Ron can’t deal with, until you get back.” Henrietta looked at her watch. “Now
that’s settled, you have a meeting with Audrey Ames in the conference room in
five minutes.”
“I do?”
“She’s taking over the matter of getting your
immigration status straightened out. After you meet with her, go. You shouldn’t
have any trouble with reentry now.”
Emily’s heart stuttered. Of course. If her
work visa was not renewed, she couldn’t leave the US. She knew of plenty of
people who lived and worked in the US for years without a proper visa, but they
couldn’t leave to see family overseas, not if they wanted to come back.
“All right, yes. Thank you.” Emily rose,
suddenly so tired. “You’ll go home too?”
“I will. And, Emily? It’s going to be all
right.”
Emily didn’t see how, as she went off to meet
with Derian’s best friend.
Chapter Twenty-eight
“Morning,” Emily said as she walked into the
conference room where Aud waited with a laptop open before her and a yellow
legal pad by her right hand. Aud’s navy suit jacket with matching trousers and
an open-collared pale blue striped shirt looked more stylish than standard
business garb on her willowy frame.
“Hi.” Aud smiled, looking tired beneath her
flawless, understated makeup. “Sorry I didn’t get this scheduled with you ahead
of time. Henrietta called and issued a priority edict.”
“That’s fine.” Emily settled across from her.
“Henrietta took us all by surprise today.”
“At least she’s feeling better.” Aud leaned
back. “So—today is just a review so I can be sure you understand the protocols
and what we’ll be doing to get you squared away.”
“I thought—sorry, I’m not sure of the etiquette
here, but I didn’t think you were part of the agency’s legal team.”
“Technically,” Aud said, not appearing put
out by the question, “Winfield Enterprises’ legal department represents all the
divisions. The agency usually works with just one or two of us, but Henrietta
requested me. Are you okay with that?”