Sleeping With the Enemy

Chapter 4: Crazy Thoughts

8:34 PM

Tonight has consisted of me gathering more information that I thought would be relevant for the next time Chris and I meet.

We met two weeks ago and he instructed me to look at old files and see if I can spot any clues that gave away what Lance was going to do. It didn't make sense to me though because how would I be able to find documented proof that he was going to take my company? No one documents that, and if they did it wouldn't be in my possession. I've found a few things that may be relevant though, so it is possible.

I could've sworn I heard a knock on my door, but I rarely have any company so I ignored it, but the person knocked again. I placed my wine glass down in the kitchen and looked through the peep hole of my front door.

I unlocked the two locks and opened the door, "Rachel— what are you doing here?" I asked, utterly surprised. Rachel was one of my best workers as well, but she had quit on me two weeks before I got the company taken from me.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't going to come but it has been eating me alive." She said and stepped in

"What? What's wrong?" I asked, closing my front door back and locking it.

We walked over to my couch that was in my living room and sat down, "Can I get you some water or anything?" I asked

"No, I'm fine. But, I wanted to tell you some things I just don't want you to go back and tell Lance."

"One second!" I said and ran to my room to grab my voice recorder. It's so old fashioned because it's from my father, but it's very small and discreet so I kept it. I pressed record before I walked out and I placed it in my jacket pocket that I had on. I wanted to record whatever she had to say so I could report it back to Chris, in case it was useful information.

She had my full attention now, I sat up straighter and cater-cornered my body towards her.

"I'm listening."

"Promise you won't go tell Lance." She said

"Okay, Rachel, I promise. Can you tell me?" I asked, growing impatient.

She sighed, "First I apologize for popping up so sudden, and waiting so long to do so. I also apologize for quitting to begin with, and I truly regret it," she paused, "Lance held a small meeting, with me and a few other employees months and months ago, asking us questions regarding how we liked the place and what would we change and how we'd feel if it went under new management. I didn't think anything of it, I assumed he was doing it for you, but when he told us not to disclose any of it with you I figured you knew nothing about it,"

"He came back to that small group weeks later and offered us an opportunity to work with him. Majority of us denied, but he swindled us in by telling us that we'd be getting paid a lot more an hour and he promised us better benefits. I didn't give him a response right then and there and I assume the others didn't because he came back, again, and then started telling us nasty things you'd say about us..." I cut her off

"And y'all believed it?" I asked

"I mean, yeah, it was played on a voice recorder and unless you have a twin, it was definitely you. But, the things we heard made it easy for us to transition over, and the extra benefits as well. He directed us to be prepared to quit immediately in some weeks, but I felt the need to at least give a two weeks notice because I felt sort of bad. A few weeks before he actually took over, I begin having doubts because I wasn't sure if it would be a good idea. I came to him and told him that I'm backing out but he offered me, and multiple others, a large, like extremely large sum of money to stay and to keep quiet and not tell you any of the information he discussed with us or speak to you again. So, I stayed.." she paused again, "I would like some water now."