unlocked, and the light in the reception office was on. From the inner office she heard the
sound of a man’s voice and she walked inside.
William Fraser was at his desk, dictating into a machine. He looked up as Catherine
entered and snapped off the machine. “You’re early,” he said.
“I wanted to look around and get my bearings before I began work.”
“Sit down.” There was something in his tone that puzzled her. He seemed angry.
Catherine took a seat. “I don’t like snoops, Miss Alexander.”
Catherine felt her face redden. “I—I don’t understand.”
“Washington’s a small town. It’s not even a town. It’s a goddamn village. There’s
nothing that goes on here that everybody doesn’t know about in five minutes.”
“I still don’t—”
“The publisher of the Post phoned me two minutes after you arrived there to ask why
my secretary was doing research on me.”
Catherine sat there stunned, not knowing what to say.
“Did you find out all the gossip you wanted to know?”
She felt her embarrassment swiftly changing to anger. “I wasn’t snooping,” Catherine
said. She rose to her feet. “The only reason I wanted information on you was so that I
would know what kind of man I was working for.” Her voice was trembling with
indignation. “I think a good secretary should adapt to her employer, and I wanted to know
what to adapt to.”
Fraser sat there, his expression hostile.
Catherine stared at him, hating him, on the verge of tears. “You don’t have to worry
about it anymore, Mr. Fraser. I quit.” She turned and started toward the door.
“Sit down,” Fraser said, his voice like a whiplash. Catherine turned, in shock. “I can’t
stand goddamn prima donnas.”
She glared at him. “I’m not a…”
“OK. I’m sorry. Now, will you sit down. Please?” He picked up a pipe from his desk
and lit it.
Catherine stood there not knowing what to do, filled with humiliation. “I don’t think
it’s going to work,” she began. “I…”
Fraser drew on the pipe and flicked out the match. “Of course it’ll work, Catherine,”
he said reasonably. “You can’t quit now. Look at all the trouble I’d have breaking in a new
girl.”
Catherine looked at him and saw the glint of amusement in his bright blue eyes. He
smiled, and reluctantly her lips curved into a small smile. She sank into a chair.
“That’s better. Did anyone ever tell you you’re too sensitive?”