Played: Chapter Two - Jackie

“J & M Consulting,” I answered the phone in my professional voice.

“Hi, Jackie. This is Brad. Is Mike or Jake around? I need to speak with someone,” one of our freelance contractors stated.

“They’re in a meeting. Let me buzz and see if they’re available,” I said.

“Even better. Tell them I have an update,” he said.

“Hold, please.” I placed Brad on hold and pushed the intercom button for Jake’s office.

“Yes, Jackie,” Jake said.

“I have Brad on line one. He’d like to speak with you and Mike.”

“Patch him through.”

“Just a second.” I disconnected with Jake and pushed line one. “Brad, they’ll speak with you. Before I transfer you, don’t forget to fill out your expense report and turn in the receipts for payroll.”

“I’ll have those for you by the end of the week,” he promised.

“Thanks.” I transferred the call.

I worked for J & M Consulting, a small, private consulting firm run by two men: Michael “Mike” Michelson and Jacob “Jake” Jacobson. My title was Administrative Assistant, but my job was that of an office manager. I held things together while they were out of the office, made travel arrangements, handled payroll for the twelve contract employees who worked for us, and generally made sure the bills were paid.

My desk sat in the reception area located between the two bosses’ offices and the entrance. Our suite of offices also contained a breakroom, conference room, bathroom, copier room, and an additional small office where contractors could come and complete their paperwork. Situated as I was in the center, no one could get to anywhere within our space without me seeing.

Both bosses were in their mid-forties, but their personalities couldn’t be more different. Jake was the more serious of the two. Mike usually had an upbeat personality and easy-going smile that almost disguised the sharp intelligence in his eyes.

They were opposite in looks as well. Mike was dark—dark hair, dark eyes with thick eyebrows, and a neatly trimmed beard and mustache. His gold-toned skin hinted at a Mediterranean heritage. He was tall and had the somewhat bulky musculature of a man who liked to stay physically active and fit.

Jake was our golden boy. His hair was a dark golden blonde. Like Mike, he kept his haircut short and sported a neatly trimmed beard and mustache. Though just as tall and muscular, Jake was on the lean side. It was his eyes that really defined him. They were golden brown and piercing, just like an eagle.

I’d been with the firm for over four years, almost from the very beginning. I remember the day the temporary agency called with the assignment.

“Jackie, we have a new client that’s looking for a receptionist. I have to warn you. You’ll be the fifth temp we’ve sent in less than two weeks. It’s a small, startup business run by two men. Both are former military and stringent in their requirements. By all accounts, one is a sweetheart. The other is a terror. They said all they wanted is someone to answer the phones, but from what I was able to glean from the women I sent, what they actually need is someone with more administrative abilities. If you’re interested, I need you to start tomorrow morning at eight. This is a temp-to-hire position,” Katherine said.

I’d spent ten years as an executive secretary before the company I worked for folded, so I was more than qualified to handle the job. “Sure, I’ll go. Give me the details.”

From the very first day, it had been easy to see which man was the sweetheart and which one was the terror. At the time, Jake had been in the middle of a contentious divorce and had the disposition of a grizzly bear. He also had the tendency to bark orders like a drill sergeant. That first month, we’d gone head-to-head quite a few times, while Mike watched with an amused grin.

I’d passed my probationary period and been hired on permanently. As business increased, so had my pay, job classification, and responsibilities. Over the years, I’d gotten to know both bosses fairly well. I could read their moods and almost anticipate their needs, which is why I knew when something was up.

The bosses were acting strange. It wasn’t the number of closed-door meetings they held. When present, they spent most of their time in and out of each other’s offices. It was the way Mike looked at me each time he went into Jake’s office, and the way Jake seemed to avoid my gaze. Something was going on with those two. Something that involved me.