The Usual Reasons

By DM Wiseman

Bethany, a highly intelligent computer programmer, worked for an up and coming Computer Company when she finds a problem with the new program, and realized it was fraud. Instead of assisting with the investigation, she finds herself accused of the crime, and then threatned with being fired.
Becoming attached to the CEO's nephew, a toddler that she falls in love with, when the powerful Reese needs a temporary Nanny for the little boy, she finds her life becoming more complicated than she ever planned. Add in a family of police officers, a woman that treats her like a servant, and a tragic accident, well Bethany has her hands full.

• Language: English
• Publisher: DM Wiseman
• Release date: Jan 31, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458178350

DM Wiseman

I am a retired Nurse - in my everyday life, but I am a self diagnosed 'reader-aholic' - I read all types of fiction and have been writing stories for a long time, and finally have decided to publish my novels using the Smashwords.com site. I am married, have two sons, with families (3 grandkids!!) as well as a spoiled rotten Old English Bull Dog We recently moved from rural Michigan, to Florida and enjoy spending time at our home on Lake Mariam. The first book I published on Smashwords is not the first book that I wrote, but the first I actually published. I wrote this novel during the NaNoWriMo.com November 2010 which I wrote in under the 30 day deadline. I feel that I have more stories to write, and will be publishing additional novels as fast as my fingers can type...

Book preview

The Usual Reasons

By

D M Wiseman

The Usual Answers

By D M Wiseman

Copyright 2011 by D M Wiseman

Smashwords Edition

Cover image by Rita Toews at [e-mail]

Baby Photo by Martiniano Halario

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Chapter One

There was no way she was going to answer the phone at ten after six on a Friday night. She had already worked an hour over her regular shift helping another satisfied customer re-learn what the normal kindergarten graduate knows about computers. She was not answering the phone. No way!

Reese CDI. This is Bethany Riley. May I help you? She answered the phone anyway. Her job for Reese Computer Dynamics Incorporated was her life, what did she have to do on a Friday night any way, but go see her numerous nieces and nephews and of course, her father?

I can’t seem to figure out why the billing code of 245-7d is double billing. Your computer system is screwed up. The voice on the other end of the phone whined to Bethany. Can you fix it on your end?

Tell me your user code and the CDI system that you are using and let’s see what we can do. She said sitting down and kicking off her shoes once more. This was always a long call, the user telling her that it was computer's 'fault’ - never theirs - the user’s. She sighed and began the lengthy computer chase of the ‘bug’ that was causing the apparent glitch.

That was what she was good at. No, not just good - exceptional. Not bragging, but her CV stated that at sixteen, she had graduated from high school with honors, had gone to Michigan State on a total scholarship for Computer Sciences and had then graduated from University of Michigan with a double MBA in Business as well as Computers. She was now twenty-two years old and highly intelligent. ‘Good’ at what she did, was just plain an understatement.

Reese CDI hired her straight from grad school to be a ‘glitcher’ – an analysis specialist to assist users (the people that CDI sold computer programs to), to help them learn and problem solve for them, all by phone. She had worked for CDI for three months now and was well established in the computer world as a major force in de-bugging programs, prior to that.

Twenty minutes later, she assured the user that she would be calling her first thing Monday morning with a new access code, to get past the glitch. Hanging up, she unplugged the head set that she wore to free up both hands as she worked and quickly transferred her phone line to the 800 number for off time's on call assistance. She was not on call this weekend. She was going to visit her family.

Bethany did not, however log off. First, she recorded the date and time in a special file she kept of any problems with programs. Then, she accessed the main computer personnel files and searched the archives for the program code, looking for the original program writer. This glitch – or problem with a new billing system had come up four times this week alone that she knew of. There were seven other glitch specialists. She wanted to check with them as well, to see if they had encountered any incidences themselves. Since beginning her employment here, she had tracked all potential problems to make assure the programs were not faulty and/or bugged. This way, quality assurance was done as problems came up. Pro-actively, so to speak, so they could fix it in the future. Not really her job, but something she did to gain an inch over problems. She had high hopes for her advancement here at CDI.

Logging into the program ‘mother’ as the inventors of new systems were called, she looked up the personnel code for whoever had set up this new medical program. It was designed for billing of routine and complex outpatient surgical procedures for a number of clinics in and around the Greater Metropolitan Detroit area that used the same type of insurance codes. She was not surprised to see the programmer code for a ‘Timothy Sutton’ show up on the screen. She then left an e-mail for him to contact her at his earliest convenience. He needed to know of the problem. It was his baby so to speak.

Logging off, she was amazed when her phone lit up. She knew she had logged off. Picking it up, she noted on the display bar, that her line was by-passed and that it was someone from security calling, an internal call.

Reese CDI, Bethany Riley speaking. May I help you? She answered normally, even as she wondered why security would be calling her. She covered her computer with a cloth and straightened her desk as she spoke.

This is Security – Parker speaking. I want you to meet me on the twelfth floor in two minutes. You are not to leave, touch the phone or your computer before you go to the elevator. Is that understood? A deep and threatening voice said to her, pronouncing each word slowly and distinctly. She frowned.

Why? What’s up? Bethany stretched and then reached for her purse in her bottom drawer. She was not intimidated by security. They were here to protect the late workers, not threaten them. And why would I go to the twelfth floor? There’s nothing up there but the big boss’ office. She put her shoes back on, readying to leave.

You will meet me there or the police will be contacted. Is that clear enough for you? This man Parker nearly shouted at her. She sat down and stared at the phone in puzzlement. She was confused now. This was getting weird. Why the police?

If it can’t wait until Monday, sure fine. But, I want you to know, I’m on over time as it is. It’s your fault if we go over budget again this month. I want that on record. Bethany said with a smile on her face. Fine, let them pay her for this.

I wouldn’t worry about your pay if I were you, little Missy. It won’t be a problem much longer. The Parker man said and hung up. Bethany stood up glancing around at her desk, making sure it was straight and tidy. She grabbed her purse and shook her long auburn hair, pushing it out of her eyes. Pushing her little glasses up on her nose (they were always sliding down), she checked her skirt and then smoothed the black suede in a nervous habit. Frowning, she realized it was a bit too short, but it was Friday, and it did match her little gray and black sweater so perfectly.

Making her way to the elevator, Bethany was in no hurry. This man Parker was not on her list of had to impress’. He was a security guard, and he had better have a good, a very good reason to summon her to the top floor of the Reese Building with such a threatening manner. Her office (well, cubicle really) was on the ninth floor, as were the other programmers. CDI occupied the top seven floors; the others were rented out to other businesses. She had never been on the other floors actually. This could be interesting. And as security called her, the 'little missy' went towards the elevators.

Chapter Two

Cameron Reese, Reese to everyone in the business world stood behind his desk with his back to the massive desk behind him. He looked over the skyline of the view before him. One of his new employees, a young thing really, had broke into the computer memory banks and contacted a programmer that had designed one of his new and best selling Medical Billing programs. But, the big question was why? She was a good worker, per his inquiries to her supervisor. She was one of the high profile hires – meaning a find in the computer world: a highly intelligent, new talent that came to work for a smaller company over some of the bigger ones. CDI was still considered smaller, but not for long.

He had been flattered actually, when he had heard that she had accepted the position at CDI. She probably had had better offers, he was sure. But, although he had never met her, he was angered by her lack of loyalty to the company. He took that personally. But then again, he took everything personally. He had to. He was CDI.

At thirty-three, Reese was a multi-millionaire. He was head of a recent Fortune 500 poll on new businesses. He was a well sought after bachelor as well as a businessman. And he was angry that one of his own would do this to him. He was taking it personally, too personally. She was just a lowly glitcher. A nobody. A woman for God’s sake that was hired for her marks in school and her thesis on program analysis of the new 'untraceable' bugs. A nobody who worked for him and was soon to be an unemployed nobody.

She was doing things that were strictly against policy. And this was the seventh time this week she had been in the personnel files. He was afraid she was doing something illegal with this Timothy Sutton. Maybe selling secrets to the bigger and more established companies. Cameron drummed his fingers on the windowsill. She was history. As soon as he knew what was going on.

Bethany entered the elevator and glanced at the man that was already on before her. He was sweating profusely, had poorly fitting clothes and reeked of body odor. She pegged him as the nerd type that gave all computer people a bad name. The ‘pocket protector’ absent-minded highly intelligent idiot, that happened to be good at computer stuff. She was half those, the good at computer stuff, and intelligent, but hardly nerdy. At five foot two and barely a hundred pounds, she was far from nerdy. Her deep green eyes, her auburn hair and her perfect creamy complexion along with a cover-girl face turned heads wherever she went. But, by just opening her mouth (showing her high intelligence), as well as her spunk, seemed to turn men off more than her cuteness turned them on. And women were not too thrilled to be her friend either.

Pushing the button to close the door, she looked at the man next to her openly. He was obviously afraid of something, or someone. Searching her brain for the gossip she never really listened to, but just stored away about the ‘big boss’ that practically lived on the top floor, she frowned. Remembering that normally she didn’t pre-judge people on principle, she recalled no one seemed to know much about the guy except he yelled a lot and that he was big, like tall and impressive looking. That was helpful. She wiggled her shoulders to lessen the tension that was building in her spine; she tugged at her skirt once more. Vowing to never wear this short thing again, she hummed to the elevator music overhead.

Getting off on the twelfth floor, she followed the ‘nerd’ to the desk in front of the elevator doors that sat a rod thin, blond model type male secretary. He glanced up at them and gave them the once over look. Up and down, then frowning, he picked up the phone.

Sir, the two programmers are here…Yes, I’ll show them in. The secretary hung up the phone and without saying a word, or looking in their direction again, he moved towards the wooden doors to his immediate right. Opening them slowly, he motioned them in without paying attention whether or not they followed.

Excuse me. Who am I seeing here? I was told to meet a Parker from security up here. Where is he? Bethany stood in front of the man, forcing him to acknowledge her. He looked down his perfect (and she was sure plastic) nose at her.

They are all in there. Just go in and take your medicine. He said softly. The other man, the nerd visually paled. Bethany frowned again.

Walking into the spacious office in front of her, she glanced around. It was all done in deep shades of burgundy fabrics with mahogany wood. She mentally redecorated, adding some splashes of bright colors to freshen up the look of old money. The current décor was just too stuffy for her taste. The room also needed some light - it was practically medieval looking, just needed a suit of iron to make the look.

Ignoring the two men sitting at the enormous conference table, she continued her perusal of the room. A wet bar on one side with a microwave and toaster oven was centered on the right wall, while a bank of TV monitors covered the other wall. The view out the windows behind the huge desk was breathtaking, as was the man standing with the scowl on his face, behind it. He was a sight all in himself. At least six four, not an inch of fat on his perfect body, his dark brooding looks were more than nice to look at in his dark suit. He was downright gorgeous. She had never heard that part of the gossip, and since some guy from Human Resources had hired her, she had never met ‘the boss’.

The man at the table cleared his throat, and she finally glanced away from this ‘Reese’ who was her boss in all reality. Frowning again, she realized she recognized the one man as the one who hired her, a Bill someone or other. The other one obviously was the security guy. He fit the profile. Short and a bit pudgy, more physical than mental. A cop want-to-be that could only be security. She knew the type. They were always the most dangerous ones.

You - sit down. Parker barked at her. She tilted her head as is to say ‘who me?’ and raised her eyebrows at him. He stood up and pointed to a chair. The nerdy man next to her nearly tipped the chair over to sit down before he was yelled at.

Are you speaking to me or is there a dog in the room? Bethany said softly. She was not raised as a Riley to take this kind of treatment. No matter who this man was.

Reese’s mouth dropped open. This little thing of a girl had back mouthed his head of security. And right in front of the ‘boss’? He was nearly floored. She was going to be more than trouble.

Please sit down, Ms. Riley. This Bill who-ever, said and shifted in his chair. He glared at Parker. He was really a Neanderthal when it came to employee relations after all. He only knew intimidation, not tact as was needed here. They needed to show a united front.

You all seem to know who I am, yet I have no clue why I am here, or who all of you are. Is there some problem with your computer you wish me to check? Bethany sat down, careful to take a chair one away from the nerd man. His body odor was beginning to be offensive.

Reese was again taken back. She presumed that he would need her help? This was unreal. Was she not afraid of him? Was she not afraid to lose her job? Who was this girl, and just whom did she think she was she working for?

Do you remember me, Bethany? I am Bill Smalley, from Human Resources. I hired you straight out of grad school. I trained you and gave you the policies of the company. Why have you done this? What explanation do you have? Bill nearly was in tears. He acted like he was disappointed in her. What had she supposedly done? Reese stood at his desk, not a muscle moving, just staring at her, his dark eyes fixed on her face. His expression was pure anger. Bethany glanced at him and frowned.

Oh, I remember you. Nodding her head at him. What I don’t know is why I was threatened by this Parker from Security, told to be up here ‘or else’ and now treated like I was a criminal. That is what I would like to have explained to me. Bethany folded her hands in her lap and waited.

You have broken more rules this week alone, that you should not even dare speak to us let alone be sitting here without the police questioning you! Parker exploded, jumping to his feet, knocking his chair over in his haste to get up. Tim cringed and whimpered in his seat. Bethany shook her head and leaned back in her chair.

You do not scare me, Parker. I have done nothing worth calling the police over. You, on the other hand, will need the Paramedics soon if you don’t calm down. Your blood pressure is dangerously close to stroke level there, pal. You need to chill out. Bethany said sweetly. Looking over at Reese, she gave him her full attention. Why don’t you explain to me why I was summoned here? Or do you only let your lackey’s do the talking? She baited him. Now, she was the one getting angry.

Parker, you and Bill take Tim out in the hall. I’ll deal with Ms. Riley myself. Reese said softly, but it was as effective as yelling, the way the two mean and the one nerd bolted from the room. But, not before Parker gave Bethany a seething look that she ignored, just smiled back at him.

Ms. Riley… Reese began. Bethany interrupted.

Look, my name is Bethany. You don’t have to be all stuffy now that they’re out of here. Just be out with it. She sighed. She had been in trouble with her father more times than she could remember, and she was better at ‘cutting to the chase’ than the ‘beating around the bush’ kind of lecture.

All right. Why were you in the personnel files, and why were you looking up coders names when clearly, that is against all rules of your position? He crossed his arms over his chest and glared at this little upstart. Bethany looked puzzled at first and then gave him an odd look over the brim of her glasses.

As you must know by now, I’m a glitcher. I’ve gotten a few calls from users in the past week all dealing with the new medical billing system. All double billing errors. So, I looked up the system’s ‘mother’ so to speak and needed to see who that was. He obviously made an error in the program. I was contacting him to check it out. It is my job you know. She said and pushed her glasses up on her nose, looking at him straight in the eye.

How many? Reese stood up and began to pace. Could this be a potential problem? This is my number one best seller right now. He came over and took a seat