Covet - Eve Vaughn Page 0,4

was either that or kill her. And I had something much worse than death in store for her.

Chapter One

Frankie

“Ms. Harris, may I see you in my office for a moment?” Mr. Morris, the director of human resources, requested as I stepped out of my patient’s room.

I couldn’t stop the frown that drooped my lips because his tone caught me off guard. Normally whenever I ran into Mr. Morris, he was pretty upbeat and friendly. Every now and then he’d tell me a corny Dad joke that didn’t make sense half the time, but I’d smile politely. This time, however, the stern lines etched on his face told me that he wasn’t requesting my company to exchange pleasantries.

“Is anything the matter?” I’ve only worked at this nursing home for three weeks, and though I’m still in my probationary period, I was certain I’d followed my duties to the letter. I was slowly getting to know the residents, and I believed I was building a good rapport with them. There should have been no cause for complaint. “What’s the matter?” I asked again, slightly less composed than a minute earlier. Judging from his body language, this couldn’t be anything good.

His lack of response further deepened my paranoia, but I managed to swallow my panic and followed him to his office. Once we were behind the closed door of his office, he gestured for me to take a seat. I slowly lowered myself, not taking my eyes off of him.

“I’m not going to keep you longer than necessary, so I’ll get straight to the point. As you know, you’re still within your 60-day probationary period. That also means you can also be terminated without notice. So, I must unfortunately inform you that we’re letting you go. You will receive your final paycheck via mail unless you signed up for direct deposit.”

It took a moment for my brain to process the words Mr. Morris had just spoken, and but it finally did. I shook my head vehemently in disbelief. “I don’t understand. I thought everything was going well here. I just speaking with Robin the supervisor the other day who said that she was pleased with the job I was doing.”

“Well, it’s your misfortune that the decision isn’t hers as to whether you stay or go. Someone will be waiting outside the office to escort you to your locker so that you may collect your belongings and to see you off the property.”

It was one thing if he didn’t believe I was a good fit for this job. Judging from the iciness of his voice there was something more to this, and I wanted to know why. At the very least if I had done something wrong, I’d know not what to do for my next job. “I’m sorry Mr. Morris, but could you please give me a reason? Did I make a mistake? Did a patient complain? I believe I followed the rules as they were presented to me.”

He briefly ran his hand over the thing blond wisps of hairs still clinging to his sparsely covered head and released an exasperated grunt. “While you’re in your probationary period, we don’t need a reason for termination.”

“But there has to be a reason. As short staffed as this facility is, there has to be a reason I’m being let go.”

Mr. Morris narrowed his eyes until they were angry slits. “You’re not going to make a scene, are you? Will security need to be called?”

“Security? I’m just asking a simple question. Why am I being let go?”

“And as I said before, I’m not obligated to tell you anything, but perhaps you should might consider finding a different profession. Most places don’t look too favorably on nurses who take advantage of their patients for financial gain.”

This was the last thing I expected him to say. I haven’t been on this job long enough to really get to know all the patients, let alone take advantage of them financially, not that I would. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, but I’m sure if there has been a misunderstanding, I’d be happy to clear it up.”

Mr. Morris’s lips thinned to the point where they completely disappeared as he crossed his arms, closing himself off to me. I’m pretty good at reading body language, and his was telling me this discussion was over.

“You asked for details, and even though I’m not obligated to give you any considering this was your probationary period, I feel I’ve provided you with