Read Online Death Loves a Messy Desk by Mary Jane Maffini - Free Book Online Page A

to handle it on my own. That’s what I’m paid for. He has enough to worry about without having to run the office.”
    “Did he say it was Barb Douglas?”
    “Yes.”
    “Did he mention who told him?”
    “That wouldn’t be like him. He just said to make sure you were all right and to find out—”
    I waited.
    She took a deep breath. “—to find out what the goddamn hell was going on over there. He meant here.”
    “And I’d like to,” I said. “Do you think it could have been the two truck drivers who stopped to help?”
    She stared at me blankly.
    “Oh, I guess I didn’t mention that. It didn’t seem important. They were kind to me, that’s all.”
    “I don’t think . . . they wouldn’t know how to reach Mr. Van Zandt at home. He’s not listed. And why would they? They could have told the foreman, but he was off sick yesterday and today. If they were really worried, they’d let me know. Who were they?”
    “They said their names were Mel and Del.”
    “Mel and Del?”
    “Yes.”
    “Are you sure?”
    I laughed. “Well, who could forget that?”
    Fredelle bit her lip. “But we don’t have a Mel and Del.”

5

    Keep a recycle bin within tossing distance of your desk.
Practice your aim and get rid of as much
unnecessary paper as soon as possible.

    “Most likely I’m mistaken about the names,” I said. “I was so shocked at having avoided a head-on collision. But I really could have sworn that they said Mel and Del.”
    Fredelle shrugged. “I know everyone in this company, even the occasional drivers and the part-timers, and I’m one hundred percent certain there’s no Mel and no Del, and I can’t recall any names at all like either one of them. Did the truck have a Quovadicon logo?”
    “I was kind of shaky. I didn’t notice. It was black and silver.”
    She frowned. “Those are our colors. But I guess it’s not important right now.”
    I reminded myself that Mel and Del were the only people who might have witnessed Barb Douglas running me off the road, so it was important and I didn’t really plan to forget about it. I said, “I’m sure it will all become clear. In the meantime, here’s an interim plan to help take the pressure off.”
    “You have an interim plan? That’s so wonderful!” Fredelle actually clapped her hands.
    I smiled and pointed to her chair. “Let’s hope. It’s fairly basic, but office politics can be worse than family dynamics. The big problem is often the most easily solved.”
    “It is?”
    “Sure, it’s the backbiting that will get you. Have a seat, Fredelle. I have some sketches and suggestions that might solve some problems. Most of them involve changing the placement of certain desks, including the IT area.”
    She nodded enthusiastically, the silver curls bobbing in agreement. I raised an eyebrow and she sat primly at the edge of her chair.
    I took the chair next to her. I flipped open my notepad to show her the design. “I noticed a couple of problems here in the layout of the office.”
    The enthusiasm faded. “But the whole purpose of bringing you here is to have you fix Barb’s desk.”
    “Actually it was to find a solution to the messy desk without causing Barb to get mad and quit.”
    “Oh. Right. Yes.”
    “So if we fix these other items, which really need to be fixed, then the solution to Barb’s problem won’t be as . . .”
    “Insulting?”
    “Among other things. I could help her get that desk under control, no problem. But you have to understand, that may not solve anything and you could end up looking for a new IT person.”
    Fredelle sighed tragically. “What do you propose?”
    “Three things: First, reorient the reception desk so that Autumn can see people coming through the front door. It’s a small change, but it will help her stay on top of her job and it will make clients and other visitors feel more welcome.”
    Fredelle’s brow wrinkled. “You know, that desk used to be facing the door. I don’t know when it