Lost and Found

Caught

"Oh, no," Hendricks said sadly and I looked up at him. He gave me a pitying look. "Did they take anything?"

I shook my head. "No, nothing was taken."

"Well, I'm still sorry to hear that," he said, tapping a pudgy finger on his desk. "It's good to know that you find it safe here, though it would still be better if you stayed with family or friends in the future."

I nodded, relieved that it didn't seem that I was going to be fired today. "Yes, Sir."

"Good, good." He waved me away with his hand. "Now get something to eat. Someone came buy and stocked the break room."

My worried fingers released my skirt as I stood quickly from my seat. "Thank you."

I dodged Mr. Blackbourne and fled the office like the devil was on my heels. I had dodged a bullet back there. This job was all I had. There was no way I could lose it.

A few members from other teams were already hard at work by the time I passed them. Employees worked odd hours at the magazine. I avoided eye contact with all of them as I hurried to the break room.

It was empty of people, but several boxes of donuts were placed neatly on the counters. When was the last time I had eaten a donut? It had to have been years.

I lifted one of the lids and picked one with pink frosting on the top. There were some plates out on the counter as well, so I grabbed one to place my donut on.

The door swung open after me and I glanced up at Mr. Blackbourne.

He nodded in acknowledgement, taking in my plate, and moved to grab a paper bowl. Though, instead of getting a donut, he opened one of the cupboards and grabbed out a packet of instant oatmeal.

He didn't say a word as he went to work making his food. I was too aware of him, but I didn't want to show it. But even the simple way he tore open the packet with his teeth, the hardness of his gaze, and the authoritative way he held himself. . .It made me curious.

Who was he?

I turned my eyes away from him while I nibbled sparingly on my food. It made me feel a little self conscious to eat something so unhealthy next to his oatmeal, but that was fine. Food was food.

"I'm sorry that you went through that last night, Miss Sorenson," he said, breaking the quiet. I glanced up at him and found him studying me.The microwave sounded as his food finished heating and he took it out.

i shrugged. "It's fine. Nothing was taken. It's just a little terrifying."

He stirred his oatmeal with a curious expression. "Did they wreck anything?"

I frowned. "No."

He paused for a moment before he continued stirring. "If nothing was taken and nothing ruined, how do you know your place was broken into?"

My lips puckered. This really wasn't any of his business, but I didn't think that I could leave it alone at this point. So what if he thought I was crazy?

Pushing the plate of half eaten donut aside, I crossed my arms over my chest. "Because I could smell them."

This time, Mr. Blackbourne stopped altogether. "You. . .could smell them?"

I nodded. "My place smelled like vanilla and sugar."

His oatmeal forgotten on the counter now, he turned to me. His gray eyes seemed to be looking for something. A lie? A mental illness? I wasn't sure. "And you don't think that could have been one of your perfumes or lotions?"