Chapter Twenty-Five
The following week at work, I was feeling more like my old self. After speaking to my brother about my findings, my world was back on an even keel. Had even spoken to Beck on Friday night.
When he'd called—just like he said he would—after I'd seen him at the restaurant with that woman.
But things were back on track with us. He'd apologised and told me again that Kath was just a client. They had met up to discuss the possibility of a new job coming up in the next few weeks so Beck might not be working at C and G much longer. It had never even crossed his mind to tell me about it because it was just work.
And he wanted us to meet up at the weekend because he was missing me. Those words had a stupid grin across my face when he'd said them because I missed being with him too. And that, along with finding out about the mix-up on my birth certificate, made me realise that I needed to stop doubting the people around me.
Maybe now I would believe I could trust him. Trust myself. I hadn't realised how much thinking Vinnie wasn't my dad had made me doubt myself. Doubt my relationships.
“You're annoyingly happy today. Quit with the humming.”
Jaz's words stopped my humming as I glanced up at him. His usually happy face nowhere in sight and heavy stubble lined his jaw. “Everything okay?”
He nodded but disappeared back behind his screen. I thought he was lying but I didn't push him. I was sure he would tell me when he was ready. At least I hoped he would.
I focused back on the papers in front of me instead. An invoice for my “special” account. They'd racked up a lot of hours' worth of work, which seemed unlikely for such a small firm. Even more bizarrely, they'd paid it and then some. Almost double the amount due. That couldn't be right.
Pulling up the account details on my computer, I wanted to double-check it wasn't an error before I mentioned it to anyone else this time. Leaning back in my chair I rubbed my fingers across the heart on my necklace. Should I mention it to Tony? To Beck? But the last conversation I'd had with Beck about this client ran through my head and I decided against bringing it up. Things were good between us and I didn't want to rock the boat.
Instead, I found the client's phone number and decided to resolve it myself. That was what I was there for, after all. If it was indeed a simple mix-up I was sure I could fix it. I dialled the number and waited as I heard the ring tone. Once. Twice.
“Hello?”
It took me a moment to respond as I waited for them to announce the company name. Or their name. When they said nothing further I finally spoke. “Oh hello. My name is Kimberly and I'm calling on behalf of Cooper Garson Ltd.” Pausing, I realised I should have thought about what I was going to say. Before I could carry on though they spoke again.
“We're not interested in anything you have to sell.”
Gripping the phone tighter, I coughed trying to cover my nervous laugh. “Sorry. I'm not trying to sell you anything. I wanted to speak to you about the invoice you paid our firm. Overpaid actually.”
“I think you've got the wrong number, love.”
Glancing down at the number displayed on the phone, I read it and then checked it against the number on my monitor. It was the same number. “Is this Period Pieces?”
A laugh echoed down the line. “No. I deal with a lot of relics, but not furniture. Only old people.”
His laugh sounded again but I didn't grasp the meaning of his words. “So, you don't have your accounts done through Cooper Garson? You haven't made a payment for £50,000?” There was silence on the other end of the phone. For so long that I checked the phone display in case he'd hung up on me. But no, he was still there.
“What did you say the company name was again, love?”
“Cooper Garson Ltd.”
“A-ha. Do you have the name of your supervisor?”
There was an audible click as I swallowed. Shit. I'd wanted to deal with this on my own. Was he going to complain to Tony about me calling? “His name is Tony. Tony Rutherford.”
“Yeah, yeah. Don't worry about the payment, darling. Tony is dealing with it.”
Opening my mouth to ask what he meant, the line went dead. I pulled the phone away from my ear and stared at the receiver then slowly replaced it. The conversation replayed through my head but it still didn't make any sense. Was the man going to tell Tony about our conversation? Should I? My gut was telling me there was something off about the situation. I just wasn't sure what right then.
From the corner of my eye, I could see Beck striding across the room towards his office. Maybe he would tell me I shouldn't have rung the client, but it was my job. If I was going to do it, I'd do it right.
Making my way over to Beck's office I pulled my shoulders back preparing to defend my actions. Tried to appear casual as I leaned against the door jamb of his office. “Hey. You got a sec?” Beck smiled at me, dimples popping out, and I relaxed a little.
“Sure. Take a seat.”
I closed the door behind me and sat, linking my fingers together in my lap. “Okay, so I wanted to speak to you about the Lewis account again.” Beck sighed then pursed his lips. Okay, not the best start.
“I thought I told you to do whatever Tony told you to.”
“I know. And I did. But there was an error with the payment they made so I called them to clear it up.”
“You called them?” Beck shot to his feet staring at me wide eyed.
“Err…yes.” That wasn't the bit I thought he'd have a problem with.
“Jesus,” he said, raking a hand through his hair. “What did you say to them?”
“I explained they had overpaid. But they said they were dealing with Tony and then hung up on me.” Beck stopped pacing to stare at me from behind his desk.
“Did you give them your name?”
My brows knitted together at the unexpected question. Running the conversation over again in my head I nodded. “Yes. I gave them my first name and told them I worked here. Why? Does it matter?” He glared at me for a second before yanking open his desk drawer.
“Yes, it bloody matters. Why couldn't you leave it alone like I asked?”
Recoiling at the anger in his words I stared at him in shock. “I was doing my job,” I replied finally, my voice sounding timid because I didn't understand his reaction. Was what I had done really that bad? His shoulders sagged.
“I know.” He slipped his mobile in the trouser pocket of his suit then straightened. “Sorry. I know.” He stared at me for a moment. “And I'm trying to do mine.”
He strode past me and out of the office. Left me there alone to wonder what he meant by that.