Falling For The Mob

06 Accidents

Zoë

Ever since my dinner with Addy last week, I have found myself intrigued by Sam Claymore.

Our next board meeting is scheduled in an hour, and this time I made sure to be caught up on all the reading and research for all the points on the agenda. Big softy or not, the last thing I want is to embarrass myself in front of her again. I really don't like it when she looks at me with cold eyes. Which is basically always.

I decide to also attempt researching more about the Claymore group and Sam, but unfortunately, twenty minutes brought me no further than the handful of facts that I heard from my colleagues over the last few weeks.

All that was stated was her age and a link to her father. There is no mention of her mother or the accident that caused her death. There isn't even a decent picture of Sam to be found.

After clicking away another tab with no new information, an ad pops up from a website offering a thousand-dollar reward for anyone who can capture a picture of Sam Claymore smiling. Briefly, I chuckled at the idea, based on what Addy told me that will never happen since Sam rarely smiles, even with the people closest to her.

As that thought crossed my mind, there is a knock on my door and Addy's face appears with a warm smile. "Hey, come in, how are you feeling?"

Last night, she texted me about nausea induced by gas, and she was a bit worried. As she steps in, Sam follows from around the corner.

"I'm doing much better, the soda water really helped, thank you." I smile at her and when my eyes meet Sam's, she gives me a firm nod.

"Dr. DeLuca."

"Ms. Claymore."

Addy tries stiffening her laughter at my tone. It wasn't my intention, but it sounded like a slight mock. Nothing in Sam's demeanor shows that she is bothered.

"What brings you to my office? I thought we still have half an hour?"

I clear two chairs, which Addy immediately takes. Sam, however, remains standing while slowly looking through my office, taking everything in.

"Since you only agreed to be our liaison on Monday, there was no time to prepare you for the board meeting today. We decided to inform Mr. Walsh this afternoon, and after the presentation, the three of us can work out the details of the coming transition period."

"Wait, Henry doesn't know that he is being replaced yet? By me?"

Sam stops studying my bookshelf. "The plan is to tell him after the meeting, Dr. DeLuca. Is this a problem?" Her cold glare makes me feel even more uncomfortable.

Addy looks at me worried. "It's just that Henry and I don't get along, as you may have noticed. I thought he already knew that he was being replaced, this way it looks like I went behind his back and took the project from him. Maybe it's best you find someone else, he can make things very difficult for my department and I don't want to give him motivation. Last time we had an argument, he rewired my department's funding through offshore accounts, causing it to arrive two days later and missing a few vital payments."

Briefly, Addy's face hardens before she looks at Sam. It seems like they were having another silent conversation before Sam's back straightens.

"I will handle Mr. Walsh. You needn't worry about him anymore."

"Sam, I appreciate you trying to help, but it's much more complicated."

"Let her handle it, Zoë. Sam is used to dealing with these types of people." I am still hesitant, but not much can be done if both of them are staring me down like this.