ingga walked to work trying to cope with Rising anxiety she was angry with herself really should she a former boarding school girl be afraid of sidelong glances ill wishes and gossips she hadd seen worse but the chill wouldn't go away the suspended sentence had broken her Stripped Away her self-confidence and will to fight back it didn't matter that it was suspended that someone had forged her signature on fictitious documents she ingga was convicted and just like that her whole life turned upside down at least she'd found work as an office cleaner no one would even
consider her for an interview once they saw her criminal record Jacob Erikson bless his kind soul had taken pity and hired her however the entire office doesn't say hello checks their bags and hides their belongings what kind of people were they don't they know one cannot be totally safe from poverty in prison life can take a very sharp turn 6 months ago she couldn't have imagined this fate she had had everything a husband a home a son a career she loved and a good friend or rather someone she thought was a good friend when had
Rita's Envy grown so consuming had it always been there just waiting to surface it must have been while JN had loved Inga beter hadn't dared act on it perhaps Prosperity truly did spoil people when John's business was just getting by he'd rush home after work to his wife and son on weekends they'd have simple picnics in the old park flying kites while their little son Jaimie squealed with joy Ina had missed the first signs of trouble maybe she shouldn't have taken over as Chief accountant after Nina Peterson's dismissal but John had been desperate then unable
to afford an experienced Specialist or maybe she shouldn't have brought Rita into their business yes they studied together yes they'd been friends but who says You must hire friends Rita hadn't just slipped her those illegal documents she'd started an affair with John to and John how convenient for him wife mistress and work all Under One Roof no need to stretch himself thin especially now that business was booming and he could afford far more than a hamburger in a public park iner wondered if he still flew kites with their son no way to know now that
Dreadful day when the tax office came inquiring about those documents was seared in her memory Ina hadn't immediately recalled that Rita had prepared them only later seeing her false sympathy and hearing her exaggerated size did she grasp the truth it wasn't surprising really their friendship had grown Hollow long ago especially after she had noticed Rita's flirtation with JN why hadn't she been alarmed when her husband refused to fire Rita even after discovering the inflated estimates he had protected Rita but abandoned his wife now she was divorced homeless and jobless and jamy remained with him thoughts
of her son sent sharp pain through Ina's heart how could she regain custody with her reputation and salary no court would rule against the father but she'd fight on she had to the office porch loomed ahead Ina took a deep breath and walked past the smoking managers keeping her head high they didn't mock her this time good it's another test for her it seems that it wasn't enough to forgive her ex-friend and ex-husband she had to endure these people too with their Barbed words and squeamish attitude but Ina had no choice otherwise she' become like
them and lose herself she wondered had they arrived this way or had the environment gradually shaped them probably the latter people were fragile fallible creatures fear of losing jobs bonuses or social standing broke many spirits George Vale encouraged this culture and it was totally unclear for iner how could such an excellent director as Jacob Erikson work with such a deputy perhaps opposites truly did attract enough reflection time to clean Inga said to herself and go to work today was deep cleaning day and the chief's office needed special attention by day's end her muscles achd and
her back was stiff but the office gleamed with spotless Windows polished floors and Shining Furniture But A Satisfied smile Inger adjusted the crystal globe on the principal's desk and prepared to leave she needed to visit Frederick irons today to begin moving her things Frederick irons had been a blessing of Fate sent to ingga in these unbearable times she still remembered the fear that gripped her at the checkout counter when she discovered her last bank note had vanished from her jacket pocket leaving her unable to pay this meant two days of starvation nothing at home but
tea in her moment of complete confusion and tears a kind-hearted old man standing behind her came to her rescue paying for her purchase and saving her from Hunger in response to her warm thanks the old man smiled broadly his eyes twinkling with kindness my child you're probably still hungry come to my place for some tea you'll warm up and I'll have company for my lonely evening Frederick Iran's apartment was like Kim clean neat bright with nothing Superfluous they sat drinking tea until past midnight sharing stories of their difficult lives when they finally noticed the time
the old man wouldn't let his guest leave instead he led her to a small cozy room you shouldn't be wandering around at this hour you're a young beautiful woman and there are too many troublemakers about stay here sleep well on the couch until morning with that Frederick Iran brought her out fresh bedding and wished Inga good night the next morning sipping steaming tea he made her an offer listen ingga stop struggling alone I live in this three-bedroom apartment sometimes feeling lost in all this space that room you slept in stands empty perhaps it's been waiting
for you why not move in permanently just pitch in to pay the utilities and that's it Inga hesitated to accept the tempting offering immediately who knew the elderly man had taken pity on her difficult situation but might he regret it later sharing tea for an evening was one thing seeing a stranger in his home daily was another so Ina promised to consider it and began visiting Frederick irons occasionally gradually her fears proved groundless the landlord always welcomed her warmly asked about her life praised the pies and pancakes she brought and would playfully wag his finger
as she left think it over girl and do agree after finding the old man unwell during her last visit with heart medicine under his tongue ingga made her decision she would both gain proper housing and look after him she'd never forgive herself if something happened to her benefactor alone in his apartment so today after work Ina headed to what would be her new home to her surprise nobody answered her persistent ringing growing concerned Inga tried again soon she heard unfamiliar energetic footsteps and the door opened to reveal a Brash young man who glared at her
what do you want who are you I'm here to see Frederick irons ingga replied taken aback he wasn't feeling well last time and I agreed to stay with him to help not necessary The Stranger smirked what do you mean iner asked growing uneasy the young man laughed harshly what you think grandfather's dead or something don't worry he's fine I'm his son back in my homeland to look after my father you can go about your business we'll manage without you the door slammed shut leaving no chance for further explanation son but Frederick irons had told her
he hadn't spoken to his son in years after refusing to sell and split the apartment following his wife's death and his son should be older Gathering her courage ingga rang again the door opened faster this time but the young man looked even more hostile why are you still ringing didn't you understand the first time I want to see Frederick irons Inga said firmly I'll just check how he's doing and leave such nerve the young man sneered he's sleeping want me to wake the old man just for you the door slammed again leaving Inga stranded her
anxiety grew into genuine fear something felt wrong if Frederick irons were truly sleeping wouldn't this door slamming have woken him what was really happening ingga regretted her long deliberation about moving in if she were already living there she could have insisted on entering to retrieve her belongings but her possessions remained in the heavy bag she carried never having made it to their intended new home she had no authority to demand identification from this suspicious character and he seemed unlikely to provide any the only thing left to do was to go to the place where Inger
had not expected Justice for a long time with a broken heart iner went to the police station the policeman was no more welcoming than Frederick onan's unexpected guest what are you trying to tell me a relative has come so what should he wake the old man and present him as evidence why would he do that just because he doesn't Inspire confidence in you who are you to demand his confidence you said yourself the old man and his son had quarreled over the apartment maybe he came to make peace and here you are complaining who would
welcome you in such a situation what if your grandfather decides to make a will for you do you know how common such cases are of course not you're trying to play Agatha Christy what's your last name marel or poo please go about your business I have more pressing matters a violent husband and unconscious parents who can't explain to their child that fists solve nothing if you discover an actual crime you're welcome to return otherwise there's nothing to discuss iner left the district officer panting with resentment and powerlessness she had never played at being Agatha Christie
she wasn't even a fan of detective stories but now she was forced to investigate while the authorities couldn't see beyond their own noses she couldn't abandon Frederick irons to this strange man something told her he wasn't really his son no she couldn't give up he couldn't forbid her from seeing the old man Ina decided to return to the apartment tomorrow after work the next day Gathering her courage Inga rang the firmly locked door again the same young man appeared now with frowning eyebrows through the Gap in the door iner noticed a short Stern man in
an Immaculate suit carefully placing papers and a seal into a black leather folder something about this rigid demeanor seemed suspect icious when she firmly demanded to see Frederick Dead or Alive the young man gritted his teeth and went to the bedroom they returned with Frederick supporting him by the arm Frederick what's wrong are you ill iner rushed to the old man frightened but he didn't recognize her he barely responded to anything his vacant gaze wandered aimlessly his hands trembling a large bruise marked the crook of his elbow well my dear satisfied now the supposed son's
voice was harsh and unpleasant you see my father is ill and needs rest no time for visitors go about your business and let the old man recover but ingga wouldn't back down and went to the police again this time she confronted the policeman with such Fury demanding Justice that he couldn't brush her off grumbling unhappily he dawned his tunic and accompanied her to the elderly man's apartment predictably the suspicious man in the suit had vanished the young man behaved respectfully towards the authority figure readily producing both his and his father's passports both showed they were
irons natives of this town Frederick was asleep undisturbed by either doorbell or hallway conversations well father's an old man the son Shrugged he's sleeping not feeling well the policeman made his excuse jues and practically dragged Inger out by her arm hissing at the door how long will you keep disturbing people's lives troublemakers like you never stop satisfied now I've seen the passport same surname come here again and I'll charge you with fool reporting remember that unable to face going home Inga found herself at work the office was empty except for the soft keyboard clicks from
the director's office consumed by worry and suspicion she began watering the plants to calm her nerves the director caught her there Inga what are you doing here working a second shift you know we don't pay overtime he attempted to joke iner startled by her boss's voice hesitated at first but then finally breaking under days of extreme tension told Jacob Ericson everything wow the principal scratched the tip of his nose thoughtfully all this smells like something criminal and no one cares except for you of course too bad you don't have the key to the elderly man's
apartment we could have worked something out why not I do have a key he gave it to me a couple of weeks ago when I found him having a heart attack in his apartment I just hadn't used it yet it felt awkward well that changes everything the director perked up I have an idea we bought a tape recorder with plenty of memory for the office I'd rather not remember why but it helped solve certain problems we could hide it at Frederick's place might learn something interesting I'll do it said Inga thoughtfully there's a gap under
the sofa that should fit the recorder perfectly just show me how to set it up come on it's in my safe the director nodded and went to his office for nearly 3 hours ingga guarded Frederick irons's apartment door from the technical floor sure this supposed son would go out for beer or cigarettes or should she wait until he falls asleep no too risky nervously Inga finished her fifth sandwich saved for just such a stake out suddenly the apartment door creaked open and the familiar Troublemaker rattled his keys clearly heading out iner came down as soon
soon as the entrance door slammed she had to hurry he might just be running to the corner store the lock turned easily inside only Frederick's heavy breathing broke the silence Inga tried to wake him but it was useless the injection had clearly been strong there was no time to waste she quickly set up the recorder under the bed and fled the apartment escaping through the emergency exit on the first floor to avoid the returning criminal she had no doubt that what he was a real criminal for the next 24 hours of recording time Inga slept
like the Dead the stress had worn her out thankfully the director had given her time off for this purpose waking up ravenous in the afternoon she emptied her meager Food Supplies and returned to her post this time the weight was shorter the guy went out to take the trash time was tight but Ina had no choice she rushed th confirmed the elderly man was alive though still unconscious retrieved the recorder and bolted for the exit heavy footsteps echoed From Below no time for Keys she carefully released the latch and pulled the door shut too risky
to run up to the technical floor so she climbed to the next floor and froze in the stairwell heart pounding the latch was closed completely and the unsuspecting guy disappeared into the dark apartment at home iner played back the recording after ages of just TV noise bathroom sounds and the elderly man's groans a phone finally rang the guy answered irritably yes what's up no way the old man's passing out from just a quarter dose now I don't get it at first one dose made him so crazy he couldn't sign his name and now he's completely
out of it what do you mean stop he won't sign anything without the dose yeah when he's normal again I'll call Dave right away we need to finish this it's dragged on too long he's reacting weird to the drug nobody else ever reacted like this he either passes out completely or the dose doesn't affect him I can't get the dosage right good thing that stupid hen's gone she nearly exposed the whole operation all right later this time Inga went straight to the head of the police department now she had real evidence they listened with great
interest apparently these black Realtors were already under investigation after receiving thanks for her vigilance and creativity Inga headed to Frederick's place to await the outcome events were unfolding rapidly the ambulance and the car with operatives entered the courtyard almost simultaneously the sturdy officer entered one by one and soon got out with a familiar Thug who was handcuffed the paramedics who went in after them carried out the half unconscious Frederick on a stretcher what about him will he live where are you taking him iner rushed to the ambulance most likely he will live replied the tired
paramedic we are taking him to the central clinical Center if you want to know his condition go there a few days later turning from the now recovered Frederick Inger came face to face with the district officer he said hello glanced sideways and said how is the old man is he recovering a little he is he's already walking around the ward his hands are shaking less do you know anything about those who tortured him yes we do we got them it's not the first time they've been exposed but there was no evidence before this time it
got tricky Fred didn't react as expected to their drugs they had their own notary and they found a junkie with his surname to sign over the apartment but the man was unpredictable Frederick once told me that he had paradoxical reactions to drugs that's why he was very afraid of anesthesia if he ever needed an operation Inga said thoughtfully listen I'm sorry about before it's a tough job everyone makes mistakes you did well you didn't give up you saw it through if you need anything contact me I'll always help said the officer awkwardly thank you but
I'd really prefer never to have a reason to bother you again iner answered honestly and went to prepare Frederick's favorite meal for her visit tomorrow the next morning while dusting the director's desk Ina discovered a package of documents for a new contract the counterparty was painfully familiar from her past pre-trial life she couldn't put the document down and hands trembling began to read the contract it was shocking this was a wellestablished schemee she Inga had fallen victim to one of its variance now they seemed to be targeting Jacob Erikson she had to wait for him
entering his office the director was surprised to find Inga examining the papers from his desk Inger weren't you taught as a child that it's not good to snoop through other people's desks or did I promote you to Deputy without remembering he asked ironically no not at all the woman flared up but quickly composed herself I apologize for overstepping but I know this firm the fact that I'm now just a cleaner with a suspended criminal record instead of a chief accountant with an un blemished reputation is partly their doing I started reading because I don't want
the same thing to happen to you well this day promises to be interesting Jacob said settling into his leather armchair please tell me both your story and your thoughts on this contract especially since George Vil has already given me his opinion he pressed the secretary's button Natalia no visitors please as concisely as possible Inger explained her case and her suspicions about the new contract as she spoke Jacob's expression shifted from sympathetic to concerned the crease between his eyebrows deepening so at best you'll be deny to tax credit and the firm will face losses and at
worst you could lose either your freedom or your position Inger concluded arranging the contract papers ah George Vil you old Fox the director said sarcastically tired of being second in command so you wanted the director's chair for yourself iner his eyes suddenly lit up with an idea could you present this evidence to the management staff I don't want this to seem like just a quarrel between top managers besides there might be questions I can't answer but I'm just a cleaner to everyone Inga protested uncertainly you were Jacob raised his index finger were and now things
will change dramatically I can guarantee that the next day in the director's office the department heads stared in amazement at ingga seated at the end of the conference table or rather they barely recognized her The Quiet Woman in a lilac scarf had transformed into an elegant young lady with loose curls wearing a business Olive suit and a ruffled blouse no one understood anything but they didn't dare to ask the meeting was urgent and the chief was in a bad mood it seemed wiser to sit quietly and wait well let's begin said Jacob pulling his chair
to the conference table while approvingly noting inger's transformed appearance we have only one matter to discuss the draft cooperation agreement that George Vil submitted I have several questions about it so I sought the advice from an impartial expert please welcome iner Allen a certified specialist in this field yes yes don't be surprised life is full of surprises please engush your thoughts maintaining her composure despite perplexed and openly hostile looks Inga focused on analyzing the contract she was oblivious to her colleagues exchanged glances and shrugs to George veil's rening face to the lawyer who who sat
Frozen clutching his temples as he realized what Dangerous Waters their firm had nearly entered the long forgotten thrill of working in her chosen profession emerged from its hidden Corner lifting her spirits and making her forget her troubles when she finished silence filled the room the deputy director sat dark as a thundercloud While others awaited the outcome Jacob Erikson eyes gleaming with satisfaction spoke well I believe everything is clear now George Vil out of respect for our history I won't launch a formal investigation I'll let you resign voluntarily I trust you'll appreciate my generosity and Inga
effective immediately you'll assume the role of my deputy and take over George veil's responsibilities HR please prepare the necessary paperwork everyone is dismissed the meeting's participants remained seated stunned only the disgraced Deputy leaped up and stormed out slamming the director's office door I congratulate you on this new chapter the director concluded giving iner a conspiratorial wink the new position captivated her it proved to be the perfect remedy for her troubles iner flourished as she op optimized the company's structure redistributed employee duties and implemented new software during her daily reports to Jacob about financial improvements she
failed to notice how his face grew increasingly gentle and his eyes sparkled as she spoke one day finally noticing his expression she stumbled over her words and lowered her eyes blushing don't stop Inga Jacob smiled I'm listening intently it's just that you're so Charming in your organizational enthusiasm I can't help but want to invite you to dinner how do you feel about the restaurant King's hunt I love its cuisine ingga replied the food proved exceptional they chatted and laughed throughout the evening forgetting about hierarchy and work concerns
