Round the Clock by Dara Girard Read Free Book Online

She’d never gone to a salon before and looked forward to the experience.
     
     
    Anna Marie sat in the luxurious lounge of the St. Claire’s Salon eager to get started. She was surprised by how quickly they’d been able to fit her in. The salon was located in an exclusive clothing store on the rooftop level, which provided a breathtaking view while a pianist played classical tunes surrounded by lush plants. Anna Marie sighed with pleasure, ready to enjoy an all-day treatment when her phone rang. She frowned when she saw the number and stepped outside into the corridor to answer it.
    “Yes?”
    “Thank God, you answered,” Nancy said in a tearful voice.
    “What?”
    “The Cobra is in one of her rages and there’s nothing we can do to calm her. You’re the only one.”
    “But I’ve left that job, remember?” Anna Marie could hear Nancy beginning to cry and softened her voice. “What’s the problem?”
    “I sent our internal audit report to the wrong department.”
    Anna Marie sighed in relief. “Nancy, that’s not the end of the world. Just call the department head and ask them to return it to you,” she said, used to Nancy panicking.
    “But that’s not the only problem….”
    Anna Marie felt a sense of doom. “Then what is?”
    “I sent it before it was ‘sanitized’!”
    “You mean, you…?”
    “Yes. Oh God, if the Cobra finds out, I’m dead.”
    “Where did you send it?”
    “I sent it online. I didn’t mean for it to go to…”
    “You sent it online? Nancy, I told you to always have it either hand-delivered or sent by courier.” Anna Marie took a deep breath. “Nancy. Which department did you send it to?”
    “Mildred Watson’s.”
    “What!” Of all the divisions that should not see their report prior to it being overhauled was the office of procurement. And Mildred Watson, who was chief executive officer for procurement, had an intense dislike for the Cobra and would be delighted to have something to catch her on. The “sanitization,” which was a prerequisite for any of their department’s audit reports, meant that they—specifically, Anna Marie, when she was employed with them—skillfully “adjusted” or “added” line items to provide a full accounting for all of the Cobra’s expenditures.
    Although they were a small office, Sandy traveled a lot. Whether it was to a local, state or national training workshop or conference, they had been told to use phrases such as per diem, training materials and out-of-pocket miscellaneous items to ensure that all expenses were recorded as business, not personal.
    While the Cobra’s absence from the office was always cause for celebration, none of them ever challenged her instructions. They did as they were told. Besides, why should they put their jobs in jeopardy when no one from the Management and Accounting Office noticed? Anna Marie had learned quickly not to question where or how monies were spent. She just matched up expenditures with existing grant-funded accounts, making sure both figures equaled each other, got a signature and submitted it.
    However, Mrs. Watson was a stickler for procedure and strict when it came to each department’s budget. She would spot the inconsistencies. And, if she did, it would definitely result in the Cobra, and everyone else in their division, losing their jobs and possibly facing legal action. Anna Marie knew she had to think fast.
    “If they discover what we’ve been doing, they could eliminate our section,” Nancy continued desperately. “We have to look efficient and viable. I need you. Please help us.”
    Anna Marie glanced at her watch. “But I’m at an appointment.”
    “Can’t you reschedule?” Nancy said with increasing anxiety.
    She looked through the glass doors with longing. She was only a few steps from paradise. “Yes, but—”
    “Please, Anna Marie, I’m counting on you. We could all lose our jobs because of this. I need this job and Dave is looking for a reason to