Audiobook
Description
Vocal Characteristics
Language
EnglishVoice Age
Middle Aged (35-54)Accents
North American (General)Transcript
Note: Transcripts are generated using speech recognition software and may contain errors.
Agnes stared at her computer monitor and read the email for the 100th time. This time she read the last sentence out loud. It's Scott. Something strange is going on. I think he's trying to kill me. The email was two hours old, and Agnes hadn't received anymore since this one. She tried checking her personal email again, but had to wait a few seconds while the Web browser reloaded the page Nothing. She sent an instant message to Alex, the fifth in the last 10 minutes. She hoped this time she would get a different result than she had for the previous messages. Alex, are you there? She waited, staring into small chat box on our screen. The status board for Alex said she was online but away. In 12 months since Alex and Agnes had first been introduced on alter ego dot com, Alex had never fail to respond toe an instant message Until now. I think he's trying to kill me. Agnes felt her chest tightness. The words ran through her head. Alex had only just met Scott a few weeks ago, but it seems so perfect for her best friend. Maybe a bit too perfect, Agnes checked her email again. Still nothing. She checked her Instant Messenger status bar next to Alex at alter ego dot com. The status wasn't changed online but away. Alex had never been away before. Agnes stare to the words, willing them to change. And then, as if in answer to her will the words changed with a soft being online but away disappeared and were replaced immediately with a new word, one that had also never appeared beside Alex at alter ego dot com. Before Alex was offline, the left side of Agnes is face twitched. She rubbed it with her hand, but it wouldn't stop. Her best friend had just been murdered and she knew it. She'd been there, watched it happen offline. Alex was gone. Agnes is telephone ring. The ringer was loud and sharp, and it startled her. She picked up the handset, but her throat was tight and resisted her efforts to speak. She struggled to say hello. She managed to gargle sound, but it wasn't a word. Agnes, is that you? The voice said at the other end it was her boss, Ernie. Yes. Yes, sir, it's me. Are you all rights? Your voice sounds strained. I'm I'm fine, sir. I'm just had something caught in my throat. Are you okay now? I'll be fine, Thanks. I just need to get a drink of water. Good. There was a pause. Agnes wondered what he wanted. I need to see you, Agnes. In my office now. I'm very busy. The deadline for the B two B portal configuration is tomorrow lying. Turney had stuff bothering her more than six months earlier. She hadn't even started this part of the project yet. In fact, she was so far behind that she knew the entire project was now behind schedule. She didn't care. She had other problems. Problems that really mattered. Selling extended warranties over the web could wait. She needed to help her best friend. Yes. No, it won't take long. Maybe he just wanted to review some of the screen she designed. Did I bring my laptop? She asked. No, Just you. Okay. Just let me run to the restroom first. Fine. I'll see you in five minutes. Agnes hung up the phone, then reached for the mouse. She didn't need to use the restroom. She needed to check her email. She reloaded the webpage and waited. The page hadn't finished loading. When Agnes realized she had a new message in box. One new message she read. She clicked on the link and waited. Come on. She said the company network was so slow the cable modem in her house was faster. She drummed her thumbs on the base of the keyboard just below the space bar, waiting on something. A voice behind her said Agnes froze. It was Ernie just checking for email. Sir, I thought you were on your way to see me. I am. Just let me check this message. I'm sorry, Agnes. I need to see you now. Now. No. Okay. Agnes Side. Ernie was nice most of the time, but she knew better than to blow him off. Now Agnes pushed her chair back and heave herself. To repeat. Getting out of her chair was always an effort because of her weight. But today she felt heavier than ever. She glanced at the monitor as she stepped out of the cube, hoping to see the subject or sender of the new email. But the page was still loading. Come on, Agnes. Your personal matter it can wait