Page 19 of Playing with the Boss
TEN
Mason
“Tony.” I nod to the area manager as I enter the boardroom.
“Mason.” He leans back in the chair at the head of the table, body turned toward the door in an arrogant show of power.
Oh, no he doesn’t. I may not have the influence to get this asshole in trouble, especially if he does have Pete on side, but I sure as hell can make his life difficult.
Alf meets me with a blank stare as I pull out the seat beside him and settle in. Apparently, the old git still has no idea what this is about. Shit. I’d hoped his jowly face would give it away, but if they’ve kept him in the dark, it means that this get-together has nothing to do with his branch. That means one of two things: either Tony has gone over my head about my decisions here so far, or—
“I called Alf in here today considering what I’m about to say affects one of his staff.”
—it’s personal. Fuck.
“Okay?” I aim for the unaware look: vacant eyes, soft gaze, attentive body language.
I aim for denial before he’s even said a damn thing.
“I was told,” Tony leads, choosing to rise from his seat as he continues, “that you gave one of the ladies in the office here an unusual request.”
Is it hot in here, or what? “Such as?”
“The records for the company credit cards.”
Thank fuck for that. “Yes. I did.” I breathe a little easier.
“Why?” The pompous asshole stands before the large window, hands in pockets with his back slightly toward me. Classic power move.
I lean back in my seat, swivel to the left, and kick my feet up on the table.
Classic badass rule-breaker move.
“I thought it would be obvious?” After all, I’m here to evaluate spend and performance. I need to know where the money goes.
“Each card is separated into the appropriate cost center every month,” Tony debates. “You can obtain the report from Accounts Payable. That should be enough for you to know how the funds are apportioned.”
I shake my head, mouth twisted down. “Nope. I need to know details.”
“Why?” Color rises into the asshole’s face.
“So I can give a thorough recommendation on where spending needs to be trimmed back, adjusted, or”—I drop my feet and lean both elbows on the table for effect—“if the status quo is satisfactory.”
Tony turns to the table, leaning both palms on the hardwood. “Every credit card expenditure within this office is signed off by myself.” He jerks his chin toward Alf. “After they’ve been checked already.”
“I know. I trust Alf’s judgment.”
“So?” Tony damn near snorts. “If you trust his judgment, why ask for the details?”
“Because Alf doesn’t check yours before it’s signed off.”
His nostril’s flare. Fuck me, this is fun. Between riling up Tony and getting a taste for Lisa, this trip is bound to be my best yet.
“No,” he states. “Pete does.”
“Uh-huh.” I lean back in my seat once more, hands folded on my stomach.
“Which is why I phoned him yesterday.” A smug grin crosses his squirrelly features. “I thought our CEO should be made aware that you’re questioning his decision-making abilities.”