Broken Trust Read Online Free PDF Page A

had this building about five years now. A donor left it to us in her will.”
    Mark stopped at an open door. Finally, she’d be able to set the plant down and see her office.
    “This is Thomas. He works on air quality.” Mark lifted his arm to indicate a tall man with bushy dark curls and hairy legs leaning back in his chair reading. A bike was propped on the wall in the corner. His orange Life Is Good t-shirt, cargo shorts, and stocking feet indicted a casual dress code. His office smelled of the oatmeal he scraped from the bowl resting on his chest. “Thomas, this is Nora, our new director of finance.”
    Thomas peered at them over his reading glasses. “Welcome.”
    Mark pointed across the hall. “This is Bill’s office, but he’s at meetings today. He’s our litigator.” More offices opened up along the foyer creating an impossible labyrinth. “Fay, she’s in charge of open space.” Another thirty-something with blonde hair smashed into a nest at the back of her head and wisps spilling down her back. Braless in an olive green t-shirt and hiking pants, her firm muscles showed regular physical activity.
    Fay turned from her computer and spoke in a creaky voice. “Nice dog!” Abbey responded by trotting in and allowing Fay to pet him.
    Panic swelled in Nora. She’d never remember the names and faces and jobs. She swallowed and forced calm .
    First day. Don’t be overwhelmed .
    Eventually she’d figure this out and make friends. It wasn’t life or death in one day.
    Despite the at least four bodies and one dog, the house felt empty. Maybe it was too early in the day for environmentalists. Still, the staff wouldn’t necessarily keep the same hours as corporate drones. “Seems like lots of space.”
    Mark giggled. “Most of the staff comes and goes a lot. Our work takes us to the field and meetings. It’s not unusual for the admin staff to be here alone.”
    More pocket vibrations. Tenacity = Abigail.
    “Just a minute.” Mark poked his head in Thomas’s office and spoke about meetings and legislation.
    Nora wanted to set the plant down. A window offered a narrow ledge, so she stepped to it and rested the pot. Below, a jumble of flowing fabric bounced into the parking lot on a rusted bike. If the window was open, no doubt she’d have heard the clank and rattle of a chain needing oil. The mass of dreadlocks hid Petal’s face. Plastic flowers wove through the old bike’s front basket and streamers hung from the handlebars. The whole affair resembled more of a circus act than another day at the office,
    Petal jumped off the bike, her flowered skirt fluttering around her ankles. She grabbed a satchel from the basket, flung the strap over her shoulder, and sprinted to the front porch.
    “That’s our Petal,” Mark said from behind her. He scowled and checked his watch. “She works for Sylvia.”
    “Seems like there are a lot of different activities going on here.”
    He grinned and motioned for her to continue down the hall. “We’re proud we’re involved in all kinds of matters affecting the environment. We’ve got a great board and lots of funding.”
    Nora heaved the plant back up to her hip, switching sides. “Must be complicated accounting to keep so many programs and funds straight.”
    A shadow darkened Mark’s face. “Darla wasn’t up to the job. You’ll get it in top shape in no time. From what I remember, you’re super-smart and a great organizer.”
    That’s a lot of confidence based on her presidency in a high school club. But Nora did know numbers. She understood accounting and could retreat into the safety of spreadsheets, where mistakes could be corrected and everything made sense.
    “Do you mind me asking why the last Finance Director left so abruptly?”
    They approached the end of the hall. Her office had to be close. Mark reached into his pocket and brought out a jangling set of keys. “Frankly, Darla was a flake. I’m not surprised she bugged out.”
    No one checked up