separated this office from the one next door. "That's where Austen sits," she explained. "We work in close proximity to each other, given my role, but privacy is guaranteed with the smart glass."
"It's a very nice office," I said looking around at the sleek furniture.
"It is," she agreed. Taking a seat on one of the sofas, she politely offered me the other. Someone left a tray with a carafe of water and two glasses on a low coffee table but I declined when she asked me if I cared for any. "So how can I help?"
"I'd like to start with Zach's accusation that you and Austen are having an affair."
"Jump directly into it. I like a forthright woman," said Katrina, nodding approvingly. "The answer is no. There never has been, is, nor will there ever be, an affair between my boss and me. I am Austen's assistant, and I like to think I’m his friend too, but neither one of us has the slightest inclination to pursue anything beyond that."
"Why do you think Zach would make such an accusation?"
"I only met Zach twice. First, at Austen and Sophie's wedding; and later at a company event that he crashed."
"What was your impression of him at their wedding?"
"He spent the whole time making comments about what people had rather than learning about who they were. He came off to most people as brash and crass although I think he amused some of the guests with tall tales of his Army days."
"Can you remember what he said?"
Katrina shrugged. "Apparently, he enlisted in his twenties. Did a couple of tours in Iraq, or so he said. He sounded bitter but I suppose many of our young servicemen and women underestimate what they ultimately sign up for."
Oh, boy, did I know that better than anyone! Fortunately, the Army and I switched paths at boot camp. "Bitter? In what way?"
"He whined the country hung him out to dry after he left the military. Barely any pension, no opportunities, and their 'thank you for your service' was nothing but a ‘warm glow with a cold sting’. His words, not mine. Then he said something that troubled me, not like the other things didn't."
"What was that?"
"He said moving to Montgomery was a new start for him and Sophie and he was very pleased that their fortunes had finally turned. Not Sophie's. Theirs. I thought it was an unusual choice of words but I convinced myself otherwise. I pretended Zach meant he hoped Austen would start some kind of charity or new initiative for men like him. Men who gave so much to the country only to receive so little in return."
"Did Austen establish anything like that?"
"It never came up again. I suppose he might have helped Zach privately but I'm not privy to Austen’s personal interests or transactions."
"Like his home renovations?"
"I liaise with his contractor, Mr. Ortega, on occasions, when Austen asks but it’s not my purview."
"Did you note any complaints from Mr. Ortega or his work crew?"
She frowned. "Nothing was brought to my attention. Mr. Ortega is always pleasant to speak with."
"What about the work event? You mentioned Zach showed up there too?" I asked. My purpose for being there was to ask Katrina about Austen and Sophie, yet Zach dominated our conversation and I was curious as to where it would go.
"It was embarrassing really. It happened during our summer family picnic for the employees, their partners and their children. We tried to make it a carnival theme with rides for the little ones and popcorn and hotdog stands and even a raffle. Zach caused a bit of a scene. He shouted at Austen and claimed as he was Sophie's only surviving family, he should have received an invitation to the affair. I don't think she told him about it at all. Plus, it was meant for the immediate families of the employees: their partners and kids, not their siblings. Anyway, Zach also tried to pitch his half-baked ideas to some of the suits, using his relationship with Austen as leverage. He drank too much and became belligerent. I called security to assist him home," she added with an eyeroll. "Austen didn't want him allowed on the premises again. He didn't discuss it with me but I know Zach embarrassed him."
"I can imagine."
"You know what really struck me? How unalike Sophie and Zach are. At first, I thought she was a little meek but gradually, I've gotten to know her. She’s very warm although a little