Reporting

In her office, Paige calls Lawrence in security. “Lawrence, it’s Paige. I wanted to provide some updated information regarding my missing laptop.”

“Hey Paige,” greets Lawrence. “What do you have for me?”

“A friend of mine made some inquiries on the incident that occurred on the sidewalk near our building. He found out that Joe hired someone to steal my laptop.”

“Why would Joe want your laptop?”

“I have no idea. As I’ve shared with you before, I had one incident with him, and I reported it to no one. I pulled him aside and provided coaching myself. I didn’t think it necessary to pull in his boss at that time. Now had he persisted in his behavior, then I would have gone to his boss, but he didn’t.”

“Thanks for letting me know. We’ll be working it from our end in partnership with the police. I would suggest that you avoid him.”

“He isn’t on my floor and I typically don’t see him. Once I reach my office, I’m in it most of the day.”

“We’ll keep you informed.”

“Thanks.”

Paige then calls Betts. “Betts, how are you?”

“Busy. How about you?”

“Busy too. Hey, are you still having issues with Joe since you broke it off?”

“I’m avoiding him. He was nasty the last time I accidentally passed him in the hall, so I’ve been changing my daily routine up consistently to keep that from happening again.”

“I just found out that he was behind the theft of my laptop.”

“Why would he want your laptop?”

“I have no idea. I really don’t.”

“Be careful. If he could hire someone to steal your laptop, who knows what else he will do to harm you.”

“Do you know if there are other women in the company or in the building that have had issues with Joe?”

“Yes, there are other women who have had issues with Joe.”

“Can you get their names? I don’t want to talk to them, but security may want to talk to them.”

“Yeah, I think I can. I gotta go,” Betts says and disconnects the line.

“What just happened?” Paige murmurs.

Her instant message is blinking. She opens the window. The message is from Betts and reads, “Joe is in my office right now.”