“Right.” Ben reaches out, and I place the paper back in his hands. “I’m doing it.” Turning, he stops and looks back. “Thanks, Alison.”
“You’re welcome.”
And with that, he’s gone.
Five minutes later, my email alerts me to a new message from Ben. I click on it and reread the email, then smile. While it may be career suicide to put something like that out there companywide, it’s the right thing to do. Now if only Sam would do something similar. But it sounds like that’s not going to happen anytime soon.
Chapter Thirty-One
Ben
Walking out of the office Monday night, I’m stopped by a number of my colleagues. Some of them just want to see Sky. Word got around pretty quickly that I had my dog there and the reason for her visit. That earned her some really kind words and gentle head pats. She ate that shit up.
An even larger number of people had something to say about my email—most of it good. A couple people, like Brendan, thought it was ridiculous that I felt the need to bother with that kind of thing, muttering, “Bullshit” and “Career suicide.” He’s probably right, but my conscience wouldn’t let me go on with my life without taking responsibility. That notion was reinforced by most of the other comments. People patted me on the back and said things like “Well done,” and “Way to show leadership.”
Leadership? I’m not sure I’d call it that, but I’m not about to argue.
Just as I’m about to press the Down button for the elevator, I feel a tap on my shoulder. Turning my head, I see Lindsay. “Oh, hey.”
Her voice is soft and sort of broken up. “Thank you, Ben.”
“No need to thank me, Lindsay. I should have done this a long time ago.”
“Yeah.” she laughs a little. “You should have.”
“I wish you’d told me.”
The laugh is gone. “I did.”
“You did? When?”
“The day you got the standing O for the idea. You were walking out of the conference room and I tried, but you were getting back slaps and handshakes. You weren’t listening to me.”
“I-I’m sorry.” Shit. “I’m really sorry.”
Lindsay shakes her head quickly. “No. I know. I mean it. Thank you.” As she’s about to turn, she stops. “I just need for you to understand this from my perspective.”
I set Sky’s crate down so I can give Lindsay my full attention. “Okay.”
“As a woman in a corporate setting, it’s a difficult balance.”
I nod because I think I know what she means, but I want her to say it just so I’m sure.
“If we—women—speak up too much, we’re labeled overbearing or bossy. Women who stand up for themselves at work are described as being shrill, ballbusters, and nasty. So for a year I’ve stewed about what you did, and the more I let it continue, the more it festered. I know I didn’t behave in the most professional way, but it was the only thing I could think of to do to bring it to Graham’s attention.”
“Why did you turn Clive against me?” I really want to know.
“I didn’t. Not intentionally. He and I became friends. We ate lunch together a few times a week, and he was my sounding board. I did the same for him. You weren’t always the best boss.”
“Yeah. I can see that now.”
I have to ask, “Did you feed the bad data to Clive?”
Her face flushes. “I did.”
“Why?”
She rolls her eyes. “I knew you were hoping for a promotion, but I couldn’t let that happen. Not after the rebranding.”
“Doing that makes you no better than me.”
“I know.” She’s no longer looking at me. “You should have double-checked the numbers, though.”
“I trusted Clive. He was always spot-on with that kind of thing.”
“I should apologize to him about that.”
“He didn’t know?”
Lindsay shakes her head. “No.”
“Okay.” At least that part makes me feel a little better. “Thank you, Lindsay.”
“You’re thanking me?” I swear she looks shocked.
“Yes. This has been a real eye-opener for me. I hope it makes me a better friend and colleague—that I’ll be less focused on my personal goals and will be able to see the big picture. I want to be a better person.”
“Well, I hope that works out for you.” She laughs. “I’ll try to do the same.”
“Good.”
I hold my hand out to shake hers. She places her palm in mine, and we shake. I feel a sense of closure that I didn’t realize I needed. It’s all good.
“This isn’t good.” I read the certified letter that was just delivered to my apartment at 8:20 p.m.
To: Ben Schilling
From: Graham Morgan, MFH Human Resources
Re: Paid Administrative Leave
Dear Mr. Schilling,
Effective today, you are being placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation.
Please understand that this administrative leave with pay does not indicate corrective or disciplinary action on the part of Morgan Financial Holdings. Should Morgan Financial Holdings decide to take further action resulting from this investigation, you will be informed.
You are not to return to the property of Morgan Financial Holdings. You are not to contact anyone from Morgan Financial Holdings or its subsidiaries until you have been advised by MFH Human Resources to do so.
Sincerely,
Graham Morgan
I look down at Sky. “At least it’s paid.” It’s a relief, honestly. And a surprise. I didn’t think this was the way Graham would play this, but if he’s going to be thorough, this is the best way to go.
I can’t help wondering if I’m the only one. I’m tempted to send a text to Alison about this, but I’d better not. It says right in the letter not to contact anyone affiliated with the company, and she’s affiliated. At least she was earlier today.
Ah, hell.
Me: I just received a letter telling me I’m on paid administrative leave pending an investigation.
I only have to wait a minute when I get a response.
Alison: Really?
I take a picture of it and send it to her via text.
Alison: Wow.
Me: You’re surprised?
I know that sounds like an accusation, but that’s not the way it’s intended.
Alison: Of course I’m surprised!
Me: It says I’m not supposed to contact anyone within the company. Are you still working there?
I hadn’t heard one way or the other if she was done or not.
Alison: Yes.
Me: Oh.
Alison: Yeah.
And that’s the final text. I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to say any more, and I know she has to feel the same.
Damn it. This sucks. I feel pain in the center of my chest, and it has nothing to do with my job. No, it has everything to do with the fact that my chance with Alison is over. For now, anyway.