Anatomy of Evil Read Online Free

me six times.”
    â€œSo there’s nothing else you need to know? You’re good to run the show for the next week?”
    â€œReady, willing and able.”
    â€œI expect you to double sales while I’m out.”
    â€œI just might,” she teased back. “Who needs you?”
    â€œYou need the brand name over the door,” said Gary. “Maybe not the person, but the name still holds some marketing value for at least a few more years.”
    She turned sincere. “Come on, don’t underestimate yourself.” She smiled and in that moment, she looked so sweet, so youthful, so engaging that he couldn’t resist jumping the gun and blurting some good news.
    â€œListen, Tonya, I was going to wait until I got back, but you might as well know now…” he started.
    She looked at him, concerned. “What is it?”
    â€œNothing’s wrong. It’s all good. It’s this—you’re being promoted. You’re manager of the store. I’m looking to expand into a second location in Lakeview. I haven’t said anything about it because it’s been iffy, but now it looks like it’s going to happen by the end of the year. It’ll take up a lot of my time, and you’ve done such a great job here… I want you to run this store, not just while I’m on vacation, but going forward as your new job.”
    Her jaw dropped. Her eyes lit up with surprise. Then she beamed, smiling at him. “Oh wow. I am so excited. This is awesome. Oh, Gary, thank you.”
    â€œWe’ll make it work so you can still coach volleyball. You can hire your own assistant manager.”
    â€œYou’re the greatest. I won’t let you down.”
    â€œI know you won’t.”
    The door jingled and a young woman entered. Gary stepped aside. Tonya greeted the customer and joined her on a search for a new racquetball racket.
    Gary couldn’t help watching Tonya as she headed down the aisle with an extra spring in her step. He felt happiness for her.
    Turning away, he transferred his focus to the upcoming trip and his wife, Emma. He pulled out his cell phone and gave Emma a quick call to see if she needed him to pick up anything on the way home.
    â€œIbuprofen,” she told him without hesitation.
    â€œStill in pain?”
    â€œYou know it.”
    â€œI’m sorry.”
    â€œIt sucks getting old. That and bad genes. I mean, really, hip replacement at 49? I’m going to need a walker.”
    â€œI promise not to call you grandma.”
    â€œYou do and I’ll slug you.”
    â€œHey, I just told Tonya the good news.”
    â€œI thought you were going to wait until you got back.”
    â€œI know. I just felt the time was right. She’s going to be in charge while I’m out, she might as well know it’s being rewarded.”
    â€œWhat if she screws up while you’re out? You said this was going to be a test, and if she performed well, then she’d get the job. You never know what could happen. She’s dealing with the day’s receipts, the bookkeeping, opening and closing…”
    â€œShe’ll be great,” said Gary.
    â€œI suppose,” said Emma, followed by, “God damn it, I’m sore. Please get home soon, you need to help pack, I’m in no condition to do a lot of bending and lifting.”
    â€œAbsolutely,” said Gary. “See you real soon. Love you.”
    â€œLove you.”
    He disconnected the call. Tonya returned and gestured in the customer’s direction. “She’s browsing. I gave her some suggestions.”
    â€œGreat. Listen, I’m going to head out.”
    â€œYou have an awesome trip,” Tonya said. “And thank you, thank you, thank you. I can’t wait to tell my mom the good news.”
    â€œWe’ll talk salary and accountabilities when I get back.”
    â€œGot it.”
    Then she did something that surprised him, but