“Where are we headed, Ms. Brennan?”
She opened her eyes and offered him a smile. “To the office first, Malcolm. I’ll need you to wait and take me home after.”
“Very good.” He pulled into traffic and she let herself drift as he drove. She really was tired. She’d stop into the office long enough to pick up her purse and arrange to take a few days off. Heck, maybe she’d even take a whole week. But first, she’d find out what had happened with her presentation.
Her chest tightened and she forced herself to take several slow, deep breaths. Her stomach was none too settled and her hands had a slight tremble. She clutched the paperwork tighter.
The traffic wasn’t too bad, not for New York, so it didn’t take them too long to get to the office. Malcolm pulled up in front of the tall building. “Don’t bother coming around to get the door. I won’t be long.”
She shoved open the door and used it to help pull herself up and out of the vehicle. Her muscles were like jelly, begging for rest. “Almost there,” she muttered.
She made her way across the sidewalk, into the building and back to the bank of elevators as quickly as she could, which actually wasn’t that fast at all. It was as though she was moving in slow motion.
The elevator dinged and the doors slid open. She stepped inside and hit the button to go to the tenth floor. The ride up was mercifully quick and the doors to Claymore and Butler were before her.
The receptionist’s mouth fell open when Audrey pulled open the door and stepped inside. “Ms. Brennan. We weren’t expecting you.”
Audrey waved her away. “I know. I need to pick up a few things from my office.” She walked briskly down the hall, aware of all the eyes watching her as she passed. She could do this. Show no weakness.
Gwen wasn’t at her post, but Audrey’s office door was open and Gwen was sitting behind her desk in her chair. “Making yourself at home, I see. Don’t get too comfortable there.” Audrey hadn’t meant to snap, but seeing the younger woman sitting at her desk had hit her hard.
Gwen jumped out of Audrey’s chair and smoothed down the back of her skirt. As always, Gwen’s sleek black hair was impeccably styled, her makeup perfect, and the deep purple blouse she wore brought out the color of her blue eyes. Beside her, Audrey felt as appealing as a wet dishrag.
“Audrey, what are you doing here? I thought you were still in the hospital.”
She refrained from making any further snide remarks and marched around her desk and yanked open the bottom drawer. “I was released this morning, but I couldn’t go straight home. No keys.” She dragged her purse out and plunked it on the desk.
“I’m sorry. I should have thought of that, but it was so crazy here yesterday. You have no idea.” The younger woman straightened her shoulders and offered a smile that was anything but friendly.
Audrey had every idea as to what had gone on after she’d been taken out of here on a stretcher. “I trust you gave the presentation.”
“Of course.” Gwen sidled behind her and around to the front of the desk. “I was searching for the preliminary notes for the Baxter Corp job. Mr. Claymore was asking for them.”
Audrey strode to a tall file cabinet and yanked open the top drawer, pulling out a file. “They’re right here.”
Before she could hand them to Gwen, a male voice boomed across the room. “What are you doing here, Brennan?” That was Mr. Claymore. He called everyone by their last names like they were in the military and he was the general.
She shut the cabinet door and handed Gwen the file. “That will be all for now.” Gwen nodded and hurried out of the room, closing the door softly behind her.
“I’m here because I didn’t have my purse or my keys, sir. I couldn’t get into my apartment without them.”
“Someone should have thought of that.” He shrugged and she knew it was forgotten. If it didn’t directly impact the company, Michael Claymore III didn’t care. But he was right. Someone should have thought of it. “What did the doctor say?”
“Nothing serious. I just need a few days rest.” She knew it was best to downplay her illness. And no way in hell would she mention the dreaded words panic attack.
“Good. Good. You know those young pups are always nipping at your heels.” He gave a sly smile and she was tempted to slap it off his face. She was very well aware of the competitive style of management that was encouraged here. No one really made friends and everyone was a potential enemy. Suddenly, Audrey was tired of all of it—him, her job and this entire company. All she wanted was to go home to bed.
“I’ll be gone a week, maybe two. I’ll get back to you on that.”
He frowned and resembled an unhappy bulldog with his jowls. “That long. Are you sure that’s necessary?”
It was necessary. It surprised her how abruptly her goals had changed. When she’d left the hospital she’d planned to get back to work as fast as possible. Now she didn’t care if she ever saw the place again. “Yes. Doctor’s orders.” She grabbed her purse and strode past her boss. “I’ll be in touch.”
She didn’t wait for a reply. The man seemed to be stunned. Of course, this was the first time in ten years she’d put herself ahead of the company. And how sad was that? Gwen watched her pass. There was no concern in her eyes, only ambition. They’d worked side by side for two years and yet Gwen hadn’t even thought to call and ask if there was anything she’d needed. None of them had.
She kept her gaze forward as she made the long trek back to the elevator. She was grateful it was empty and she didn’t have to share it with anyone. The trip seemed much longer this time but finally she was back in the lobby.
Malcolm was still waiting in the car and jumped out when he saw her coming. He had the door open by the time she got there. He didn’t speak but hustled her into the car and hurried back to the driver’s seat. The car eased into traffic. “Where to next?”
The papers next to her crinkled. Her prescriptions. She’d all but forgotten about them. “I need to stop at the pharmacy.”
God, she was tired. Tears welled in her eyes but she willed them back. As if sensing how close she was to the edge, Malcolm took her prescriptions in to be filled and waited until they was ready. Then he drove her home. It was taking all her energy to keep herself together.
Utter relief hit her like a sledgehammer when her building came into view. She was almost home. Malcolm parked and came around to open her door. She didn’t discourage him from doing so. She was as weak as a newborn kitten at the moment and needed all the help she could get.
Audrey gathered her purse, papers and the bag with her medication. Malcolm put his arm around her shoulders, helping her out of the car. “Thank you.” His small kindness almost broke her. She gave him a watery smile.
“Are you sure you’re going to be okay, Ms. Brennan?”
“I’ll be fine, Malcolm. Thank you.” Of course she would be. She didn’t have any other choice.
“I’ll walk you up.”
“There’s no need.” But his offer touched her. He really was a nice man.
“Yes, ma’am, there is.” He let her lean on him all the way into the building.
She dug out her keys and unlocked the inner door. He opened it and led her to the elevator. They were both silent as they went up six floors. Her apartment was the last one on the left. She unlocked her front door and smiled at him. “I appreciate your help.”
He nodded. “If you need anything else, you call.”
“I will.” He looked as though he might say something else but didn’t. She watched him walk back down the hall before closing the door to her apartment.