When we returned to work, we still hadn't finished packing, which was excellent. I knew it would take a while. Scott met with Mitch and Corey while I checked in with Mel. We went over the shipping information, and calls were made.

From what they told me, a female had called and made changes under the guise of me, using my name in doing so. We also pulled invoices and checks to check signatures. Whoever it was was good, but they forgot one crucial detail. I wrote my name in a particular way. They signed Lina Sherwood at work, but I wrote my full name, Carolina Kamille Sherwood.

We went back as far as we could, and it started around the time I had taken a day off of work when Kami was sick. Tabitha was here at the time, so it might have started with her, but that didn't make any sense because it continued after Scott fired her. Plus, it only happened when I wasn't here.

I sat at my office, trying to figure out who was doing this, then I realized something. Scott has security cameras installed because of Vicky. If this was an inside job, they could access every part of the building and files.

I got up and left my office, going to the security office. Scott gave me clearance to access it.

I swiped my badge, and the door opened.

"Ms. Sherwood?"  The security officer said to me, a bit confused.

"Roy, I need footage from this date," I told him, handing him a piece of paper with the date—the date of the judge's decision. I was at court and home for the rest of the day.

He took the paper and a seat at the desk as he searched for the date.  He played footage from the entire day. I watched with bated breath until something caught my eye.

"Wait. Go back," I said to Roy, and he did as I asked. "Now, can you zoom in and make the picture clearer?"

"Yes, ma'am," he said as he did as I asked. Once he was able to clean up the image, my jaw dropped. Right there, every day, few were the people making my life hell at work.

"Can you print that for me and send a copy to Mr. Stevens?"

"Of course."

"Thank you," I said to him, smiling at him.

He printed out the photo and handed it to me, then sent the picture to Scott via his email. I folded the image, placed it in my pocket, and went to confront them. I needed answers before turning them over to the authorities.

I walked out of the security office and down the hallway to their office. When I arrived, they weren't in their office, so I searched for them. This move would prove to be the wrong decision on my part.

They say when a person is desperate, they will do anything to keep people from finding out. When someone steals from a company, they get cocky, thinking they will never get caught until they get sloppy.

Why people would steal from a place that pays you is beyond me. They say theft usually starts small: a few extra minutes on break, then lunch, going online and shopping, doing personal business on company time. These are all types of theft. Then it moves from that to skimming a little bit of money—not enough for someone to catch you, but just enough.

Eventually, it changes, and the amounts increase because the person gets greedy. It finally gets to the point that for the spotlight taken off of them, they find some other poor Schmuck to take the fall. Newsflash: I am not that person.

I finally found them. They were in another office looking at files.

"How long did you think this was going to go on," I asked, causing them to jump.

"Jesus, Lina," she said to me. "You scared me."

"Why are you in here?  You don't belong in here," I said to her.

"Mr. Stevens sent me to retrieve some files," she shrugged.

"That's a lie, and you know it," I said, walking towards her.  "Mr. Stevens would never give you access to these files."

She closed the file cabinet and looked at me.

"But that's okay. I'm sure he will be happy to know what kind of employee you truly are," I said as I turned to leave. Then I heard it.

Click.

I stopped as my blood ran cold.

"You take one more step, and I will not hesitate to pull this trigger.  Then Kami will be without her mommy," she said, her tone laced with ice.

I turned to see her holding a gun on me.  All I could do was pray that Scott got to me in time.

                                    ******
When Mel knocked on his door, Scott was talking to Mitch and Corey, "Mr. Stevens, have you seen Lina?"

"I haven't in a few hours.  Why?"  He said, looking up from a file.

"She was supposed to meet me an hour ago to review the shipments," she told him.

Then his phone went off.

"Hold on," he said as he opened the email and saw the picture.  His brows furrowed.  "Did anyone see Lina leave the building?"

"No, why?" Asked Mitch.

"Because we have a problem. I want all exits locked down and this building searched," Scott said as he left his office.  Corey made a call, and Mitch followed after him, "Why?!"

"Because I know who is guilty, and I know Lina is with them," he yelled, taking off through the office. Mitch ran after him as they searched everywhere while the office building went into lockdown.

They needed to get to me before something happened.

*******
I stood there as she walked over to the door and locked it. I needed to keep my composure right now, which was hard when you have a gun pointed at you.  Have you ever seen those programs where someone is holding a person at gunpoint, and you wondered how they managed to get out of it?  Yeah, I did, too.

I heard the alarm. Scott must have ordered the building on lockdown, which meant the police were on their way. I just needed to stall. However, I had no clue how I was going to do that.

"If you let me go, I will get you out of here and make sure you're free," I suggested.

"Oh, shut up!  Do you think I'm stupid?!  The minute I walk out of that door, I'm going to jail!"  She yelled.

"Well, it was worth a try," I shrugged.

"A lousy one at that," she replied, rolling her eyes.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked her. Hell, if I'm going to get shot and possibly die, at least tell me why.  It's only fair.

"You're smart. You figure it out, although coming here alone was probably the stupidest thing you ever did.  Why Scott thinks you're so special is beyond me?"

Well, that didn't work out.  Plan B it is.

"Okay. You figure by sabotaging me, Scott would fire me, then break up, and you could take my place," I said.

"Guess you're not as dumb as I thought," she told me.  Then she started walking around and waving the gun around, "I've had to wait. I had been trying for years to get somewhere, but someone else got it before me whenever I turned around. Then, when the new owner took over, I thought. Finally, that was it. I would get my chance, but no.  What happens?  You swoop in and take what belonged to me," she spat.

This girl was delusional. Honestly, what is wrong with these women?

"Then I find out you are dating the boss!"  She started having a tantrum in front of me as she ranted and raved about Scott and how he belonged to her, how they were supposed to have this perfect life together. I didn't even know what she was talking about regarding Scott. Scott never mentioned anyone besides Victoria.

Then I heard yelling.

"Lina!"  It was from Scott. Oh, thank god.

Then I heard the door handle jiggle with his and Mitch's voices.  I looked at her as her eyes widened.  Then they slammed against the door.  I stood there, paralyzed.

Contrary to popular belief, if anyone tells you that they would unarm someone with a gun, they are full of it. When you have a gun pointed at you, you're scared shitless, hoping you don't die. That was me.

After enough slamming against the door, Scott and Mitch opened the door, and then bang!