"Any plans for New Year's Eve?" Agnes smiled at her boss leaning on the reception. Maddie shook her head, as her blonde curls danced.
"No not really." She softly replied. "I was thinking about visiting my parents, but we have that big meeting on January 2nd." Agnes grinned from ear to ear.
"You are more than welcome to spend it with Bert and me." Her grin grew. "We've basically invited the entire office." Maddie gave her a warm smile, she really like Agnes, but she honestly didn't know if she wanted to spend her New Year's Eve with Bert and her.
"Please let me think about it." Her smile grew weaker. "I don't know if I am up to it already." She glanced over her shoulder to David's office. Agnes followed her eyes.
"We did ask Mr. Addison, well.. Bert did. He also said he had to think about it, but he said he'll probably hit Vegas." Maddie noticed the hint of hope in Agnes' eyes. She gave her a hopeful smile, yet didn't confirm anything. She softly pushed herself off of the reception.
"I'll be in my office balancing the books." Maddie rolled her eyes in exaggeration. "Only 2 more days till the end of the year." Agnes chuckled. "I need to make a head's start. Talk to you later, okay?" Agnes nodded her head in her usual excitement.
"You want me to bring you some coffee?" She asked.
"That would be lovely Miss DiPesto." Maddie said before disappearing in her office.
She sat down behind her desk, grabbing her big black book, she sighed. "Ugh I really hate doing this." She thought to herself. "Although the last couple of months have been quite successful." She thought as she scrolls through the book. She opens the page to December. Every Friday she would fill in the weeks balance. She writes down Friday December 29th, 1989. She stares at her handwriting for a second, when she hears the small knock.
"Please come in Miss DiPesto." She doesn't look up, until Agnes places the mug of steaming coffee in front of her. "Thank you so much Miss DiPesto."
"You're welcome. Is there anything else I can do for you?" Maddie thought about that question a second.
"Yes, please tell the staff to take a couple of hours off today, they are free to leave as of 3 o'clock." She looked at a surprised Agnes. "I think it will boast moral.." Agnes kept staring. "Unless you think it won't boast moral." Deep down she knows that David is much better in dealing with the staff than she is. It still made her insecure.
"Oh no Miss Hayes, I do think it will boast moral, if it's paid leave." She quickly added.
"Well of course it is paid. That's why I suggested it." She had a look of surprise. "Will you please pass it on?"
"I will do that, thank you Miss Hayes." Agnes had a hop in her step when she walked out. Maddie smiled, knowing in less than 2 hours the office will be empty and she can just crunch numbers in peace. She knew David couldn't resist to leave earlier.
Maddie looked towards her window. The sky was light blue. "This was a better December than last year." She thought to herself as she got up and moved towards the window and looked down at the street. "The cold isn't just outside." She thought to herself. She leaned her head on the cold glass.
"Come on, Maddie, hit the books." She said to herself, then proceeded to walk back towards her desk. She grabbed her slightly cooled coffee and held It like it was her only lifeline. She took her first sip and consciously swallowed as she felt the hot beverage go down her oesophagus. Involuntarily her eyes closed. She sighed and opened her eyes again. "Let's get cracking." She encouraged herself. Grabbing last week's bills. She always started with the bills, quickly writing down the numbers as she went through all the bills. She crunched the numbers in her calculator and then wrote down the results. She looked at the stack of paid invoices, she couldn't help but smile. For once the stack of paid invoices was higher than their bills.
Maddie grabbed the first envelope and opened it. She read the small note and then wrote down the numbers. She grabbed the next envelope and opened it, this time her eyes froze while reading the letter. The letter was from Daphne Jackson, a sweet, wealthy and young woman who hired Blue Moon to find out which one of her employees was stealing from her. Only to find out that the staff was innocent and her own sister and niece were stealing from her. Maddie reread the part of the letter that drew her attention.
'Dear Mr. Addison, Dear David,
I cannot express how much I appreciate your help on finding out who was stealing my property. Enclosed are 2 cheques, one is for your agency and the other is for you and only you.'
Maddie stopped reading and grabbed the two cheques. The first one was addressed to Blue Moon, for the amount of $15,000. The second one was personally addressed to David for the amount of $ 20,000. She audibly gasped as she looked at the amount. Then she put the letter and the personal cheque back into the envelope, she felt tears welling in her eyes and quickly blinked them away.
She stared at her door. "This year has been such a mess." Was all she could think as she kept staring at her door.
=X=X=X=X=
David finished his last notes on the file in front of him. He chuckled at the seriousness of it all. This was one of their few permanent contracts. Every new employee hired by HiTechCal was lifted by Blue Moon, every inch of their personal life would be exposed. The fact that they had a contract with Blue Moon had protected HiTechCal on a couple of occasions. One of the almost hired employees turned out to have a criminal record on fraud, another one had allegations of assault against him and the last one turned out to have lied on their application, they did not, in fact, graduate from MIT. He found that out, together with a little help from Bert. He smiled again, as Mr. Miller had just been cleared by him, knowing Mr. Milles was now able to start in the new year.
David knew he definitely wasn't the same guy he was almost 5 years ago. He still was the fun loving jokester, but she actually made sure he enjoyed his job. He loved being a detective and he loved even more that he got to work with Maddie every day.
He looked at his door, wishing he was able to look through his and her door. "This year has been such a mess." He thought to himself. "I really messed up." As images of Annie filled his head. He cringed at the thought of her.
There was a knock on his door.
"Come in." David was relieved by the interruption of his own train of thought.
"Yes.. Mr. Addison." Bert Viola quickly entered his office. "Uh.. Yes.. Mr. Addison.. I.. uh.." David sat back in his chair, Bert fumbling his words was always slightly entertaining to him. "Yes.. you see, Mr. Addison. I just.. uh.. got off the phone, with.. you know.."
"HiTechCal?" David added.
"Yes sir." Bert smiled.
"What did they want Mr. Viola?" He loved teasing him, he definitely knew what they called about.
"Well you see.. they wanted to know when you'd be done with the background check on.." Bert looked at his notepad. "Mr. Andrew Miller, latest applicant to HiTechCal. Uhhh.."
"And what did you tell HiTechCal?" David was stretching this as long as he possibly could.
"Well of course I told them that you're on it and that they can't pressure genius!" Bert started ranting as he started pacing. "And I also told them that you've never failed them and reminded them about the last applicant who didn't even graduate from MIT." David sat back in his chair amused by the man in front of him. He had tortured the poor man long enough.
"Mr. Viola." He started off. "Mr. Viola.. Bert.. Bert my man.." He whistled on his finger, interrupting Bert in his rant.
"Yes Mr. Addison." Bert spun on his heels to face David.
"Here it is Bert." As he held up the file. "Mr. Miller has been cleared. No criminal record, all the information on his resume is correct. And to be honest, between the two of us.. Mr. Miller sounds like a big nerd. Not a cool guy like you and me." David winked.
"It's hard being as cool as us." Bert nodded in confirmation of his own words. David nodded along with him.
"Could you send this by courier?" David nodded towards the file in Bert's hand. "Make sure it gets to HiTechCal within 2 hours, if possible."
"I don't think that will be possible on the last work day of the year." Bert nervously starts moving back and forth on the heel and ball of his feet. "And Miss Hayes just told the staff we can leave early today." David was about to respond. "BUT.." Bert threw his finger in the air. "I can quickly swing by HiTechCal and deliver the file." He gave David a hopeful look, like he wanted him to compliment him on his great idea.
"I was just about to suggest the same thing." David looked up towards the hopeful man. "But good thinking Bert." Bert beamed.
"Thank you Mr. Addison." He was about to walk out of the office. "Yes, Mr. Addison?"
"Did Ma.. Miss Hayes really tell the staff they could leave early today?" He hoped he didn't sound as insecure as he felt. Bert nodded.
"Yes sir, everyone is allowed to leave at 3pm. She relayed the message through my lovely Agnes." He said with a big smile. "Miss Hayes and you are the best employers we could ask for." Bert somehow always sucked up. David shrugged, but didn't say anything for a second."
"Could you please still bring that file to HiTechCal?" David asked.
"Of course Mr. Addison, consider the file delivered. I'll do it right away." As he sped out of the office.
David leisurely got up and followed Bert towards the main office. He watched Bert grab all his belongings as a confused Agnes watched his every move.
"Miss Taylor?" David started as the young woman looked up from her work.
"Yes Mr. Addison?" She looked at him.
"Could you please join Mr. Viola to deliver that file to HiTechCal?" Bert looked insulted as Jamie looked surprised.
"Of course Mr. Addison, but might I ask why you want me to join Bert? No offense but he has delivered files to HiTechCal a couple of times already."
"Yeah Mr. Addison, I can do this myself." Bert chimed in.
"I know Mr. Viola." David said as he slapped his shoulder. "But as I will be busy with the big case as of the new year, I'd like you to start doing the background checks for HiTechCal with Miss Taylor." David smiled at a surprised Jamie. "She has proven herself to be a great asset to Blue Moon. And no offense, but she is the best researcher in this office." Jamie started blushing.
"Thank you Mr. Addison." She said as she looked at her desk.
"If you are going to do background checks for HiTechCal, it'll be best for you to introduce yourself to them." David looked at Jamie. "Don't you think?"
"Yes sir, I think that'll be best. I'll grab my things." Jamie quickly started gathering her coat and purse.
"You okay Mr. Viola?" Bert turned and smiled.
"Of course Mr. Addison, why wouldn't I be?"
"Good, I need your head in the game. Jamie will need a mentor during this time and seeing as Miss Hayes and I will be busy with the new case." David knew how to handle Bert.
"Of course Mr. Addison, very well thought of!" He smiled again as he turned towards Jamie. "Come along Miss Taylor." As he headed out of the office. "I'll be back, my love." He quickly says to Agnes, who in return giggles.
"Miss DiPesto?" Maddie came out of her office.
"Miss DiPesto?" David said in unison with Maddie.
"Oh." Maddie was about to step back into her office.
"Yes, Miss Hayes?" Agnes quickly replied, stopping Maddie in her tracks. Everyone in the office knew Maddie had been trying to avoid David for months now. As they also know that David was more than fine with that.
"I just wanted to ask if you had relayed the message to everyone?" She lied and David knew it.
"God, she looks beautiful." David looked her up and down as she stood there frozen, looking at Agnes.
"Of course Miss Hayes." Agnes said with a grin.
"Great!" Maddie's voice pitched a little higher than usual.
"Thanks Miss Hayes!" A couple of staff members started cheering. Maddie looked around the main office as she blushed. David always thought it was weird that someone who had been such a public figure could become so shy when it came to her own staff.
"Yes Miss Hayes." He started off, Maddie immediately looked at him in shock. "Thank you." He flashed is ever boyish grin towards her. "What is that in your hand?" He nodded towards the envelope in her hand.
"Ah yes.." she looked at her own hands. "The other reason I came out." She stepped towards him and held up the envelope towards him. "This is yours." He stretched his hand out to take the envelope from her.
"What is it?" He said before taking it.
"An appreciation from Miss Jackon." She said just before turning to go back into her office.
"A what?" He couldn't hide the tone of surprise as he quickly opened the letter, read it and then looked at the cheque. "What?" He said louder than intended.
"For you." Maddie opened her door. David looked surprised at Agnes, who, in her turn nodded for him to follow Maddie.
"Hold on Maddie." He quickly sped towards her office before she could fully close the door.
"What is it David?" She said, not turning around, but still making her way to her desk.
"Maddie could you please hold on for a second?" She stopped beside her desk, sighed and turned.
"What is it David?" She said again.
"I don't want this." He held up the cheque.
"You don't want a cheque for $20,000?" She raised her eyebrow in surprise.
"Nope."
"But you've earned it. As Miss Jackson says in her letter, this is her appreciation to you." She leaned into her desk.
"You've read my letter?" He teased as she looked annoyed. "Sorry.." He mumbled.
"The cheque is yours David." Maddie took her seat behind her desk. "If you don't mind I'd like to finish the books." David plopped down in front of her.
"Don't mind me." He placed the cheque in front of her. "I don't want it." Maddie was about to open her mouth. "But.." her interrupted before she could talk. "I'd like to pay off a bit of my partnership." He pushed the cheque towards Maddie. She looked at him in astonishment.
"You want to give this money to Blue Moon?" She took the cheque and looked at it. Running her fingers over the name and numbers.
"I am not giving it. I am investing it in OUR company. I finally can contribute." He smiled.
"David, the cheque has been put in your name. It's a personal cheque. I cannot take it. Blue Moon can't cash it. You will have to go to the bank yourself." She pushed it back towards him.
"Okay." He grabbed the cheque and folded it, putting it in his pocket. "I will do that as soon as I can." She didn't respond, as she already starts writing.
He hated how uncomfortable the atmosphere between them had become. He truly wished they could go back to the time before he met Annie. He wished he could have take it all back. He looked at her, her nose wrinkled as she crunched the numbers. He knew she always did that when she was busy with the books. "She looks adorable." He thought. His mind was running a course of its own as he imagined just pushing back her chair, pulling her up, kissing her, slowly going down that long, beautiful neckā¦
"Is there anything else I can help you with David?" She looked up at him.
"Plenty." Was what he thought. "Maybe we should talk about the meeting on the 2nd? I mean they asked for us both. And to be honest, you and I haven't really worked together these last couple of months." The words escaped his mouth before he knew it, a problem he had been having forever. Maddie looked up at him, she felt angry rising.
"And that is my fault?" She snapped.
"Whoa, Maddie. I wasn't saying that!" He defended himself.
"Then what are you saying David? Because it sure feels like an accusation." David had missed these interactions, he loved squabbling with her, but he also knew now wasn't the time.
"I'm saying that we both have been busy with our own cases. And also you have been working a lot with Jamie and you know.. Bert's been keeping me pretty busy." He chuckled. "I just meant maybe, just maybe, we should.. you know.. talk about how we are going to approach this new case."
"David, we hardly know what the case is about. This is hardly the time. I need to get the books ready for the end of the year." He could hear the tension in her voice soften. "But when we had the meeting, we can sit down and speak about how we will handle the case. And yes we have been busy. We have been clearing cases. We haven't been in the red numbers for 5 months now. That is something to be proud of, don't you think?" David's mind was running 100 miles per hour, he had so much he wanted to say to her.
"It's something we all should be very proud of." David gave a small smile. "I'm proud of you, boss." He tried lightening the mood.
"Partner." Maddie's mouth spoke before her brain could think. She didn't regret her words, he had earned his place at Blue Moon. She was proud of the agency, of herself and of him.
"I'm proud of you, partner." David knew not to be a smartass at this moment. "I'm proud of the entire agency." He grinned. Maddie smiled back. He just wished her eyes would smile too, the way they used to.
"If you don't mind, I'd like to get this done." Maddie points down at the book.
"Sure.. just so you know. I finished the last background check for HiTechCal. And Mr. Viola and Miss Taylor are bringing the latest file to HiTechCal." Maddie didn't look up, her nose was in the book in front of her, she just nodded. "And I am joining Siegfried and Roy in their latest act in Las Vegas."
"That's good David." She absent-mindedly answered.
"I wish you'd just talk to me." He whispered and then quickly got up. "Well okay partner, don't forget to say bye on your way out." As he made his way to her door. He felt his heart sink as Maddie just waved at him.
