Chapter Thirty-Two
Alison
I reread Ben’s letter. I wonder if Sam got a similar one. What about Lindsay? With her attempt to sabotage Ben’s presentation, she’s not going to come out of this unscathed. When I asked her point-blank if she provided Clive with the wrong data, she didn’t hesitate to tell me the truth.
Paid administrative leave. I’m surprised this is the way Graham Morgan has decided to go. “At least it’s paid.” I can’t help thinking about Sky and her need for physical therapy. If he was outright fired right now, it’s doubtful she’d get the care she needs.
Now I need to figure out how to handle all of this new information. What am I investigating? I know who did what and why. What else does Graham need to know? I’m tempted to send him an email now that I know about Ben’s letter, but it states explicitly that he’s not to contact anyone with MFH. If Graham learns he sent me a text, that could be the end for Ben. I don’t want that to happen.
No, I’ll have to wait until tomorrow to find out what my role is supposed to be now.
“You want me to do what?”
Graham stepped into the conference room promptly at nine o’clock Tuesday morning. I’d just gotten logged in, hoping there was an email from the man himself explaining everything. Instead, I’m getting a face-to-face visit.
“I need for you to take over the interim department head role while Sam’s on paid leave.”
So that answers my question about Sam. I’ve also learned about Lindsay. Since she’s already here, working in her office, I’d say she didn’t get the same letter.
Did Graham send Sam one while he’s in the hospital? That’d be cold.
“Isn’t Sam still in the hospital?”
“No. He got out yesterday.”
My mind is still whirling. “You want me to be the interim department head?”
“We need someone to steer this ship of creative minds,” he says with an eye roll. “And right now, there’s too many people involved with this clusterfuck to do it properly. You’re not going to get sucked into the drama, and I need someone with a level head taking charge right now.”
“Okay.”
“Move your stuff over to Sam’s office. I’m calling an all-staff meeting in two hours to announce that, along with some other changes. We’ll meet in the auditorium again.”
“Right. Okay.” Why am I nervous? This isn’t about me. Not really.
“Graham?” I say, stopping him before he can leave.
“What?”
“What about Ben?” I don’t want to let on that I know about his paid leave.
“He’s on paid leave too.”
“Why?”
He sighs and steps farther into the space, letting the door shut behind him. “To be frank, he was gone. But then I saw his email to the entire fucking company apologizing to Lindsay. I knew I needed to give him another shot. The paid leave will, hopefully, let him know he’s on probation. I want to give him some time to think about this job and whether or not he really wants to be here. Two weeks should do it for both of them.”
“So you’re doing this for their benefit.”
“No.” Graham laughs, but it’s humorless. “I’m disappointed in Ben, and I’m really fucking pissed at Sam. They’re not alone. Clive is worthless, but it doesn’t sound like he did anything wrong. And Lindsay’s on my shit list for the data stunt, but I want this to be a wake-up call to the entire department. All of this bullshit is getting in the way of the job they’re supposed to be doing. I’m sick of it, and I plan on letting them all know that. In two hours.”
Without another word, he’s gone.
Slowly, I gather my things. Placing my laptop into my bag, I unplug my portable printer and wind the cord up just as there’s a knock on the door. Looking up, I see Meghan.
“Hey.” I give her a big smile. I haven’t seen her for a few days. “Long time, no see.”
“Right?” She smiles back. “I’m supposed to help you move into Sam’s office.
“Oh?”
“Mr. Morgan stopped by. He also asked me to be your assistant. Temporarily.”
“Really?” I don’t know why, but knowing Meghan is with me makes this much easier. “What about Sam’s assistant?” What was her name again? Gladys? I only met the woman once, but I could tell in that short amount of time she wasn’t my biggest fan. The scowl gave her away.
She shrugs. “No idea.”
“Well, if you want to take this”—I hand her the printer—“the only other things I have are my purse and these.” I hold up my briefcase and my computer bag.
“Great,” Meghan says in her chipper voice. “Let’s do this thing.”
I follow her out the door and around the outer edge of the floor past offices and cubicles until we reach Sam’s office. I’ve never been inside, only outside, next to Gladys’s desk. I look there first and see it’s been cleared out. The only thing on the desk is an ancient computer with the big tower thing next to it.
“I guess that’s your new spot.” I point to the desk. I wonder where Gladys is.
“The first thing to go is that dinosaur of a computer.”
“You’d better call IT to see if they can save her files for you.”
“Good call,” Meghan says with a nod. “I’m on it.”
I slowly step toward Sam’s door. Seeing it’s ajar, I push it open the rest of the way and gasp. “Holy….” I don’t think I should say the next word, but I want to.
“Shit,” mutters Meghan.
She’s right. That’s what the office looks like. Utter shit.
“That place hasn’t been cleaned since he started here. I’d bet money on it”
Meghan’s right. It’s a disaster. And as I step over the threshold, it’s not only a mess with piles of papers and files everywhere, but the furniture is dirty and dusty, there are wrappers and garbage all over, and it smells. Like a locker room. A men’s locker room.
Pinching her nose with her two fingers, Meghan makes a snorting sound. “I’m calling maintenance too.”
“Good plan.” It’s unbelievable. Hasn’t anyone seen this place? Graham? The other managers?
I hear Meghan on the phone talking urgently. I hope she can get someone up here fast. There’s no way I can work in this space in its current condition. The smell alone is making me nauseous.
“They’re sending a crew up in a few minutes.” Meghan sighs. “Apparently they’ve tried to get in here, but Sam wouldn’t allow it.”
“Why not?” Who can work like that?
“Dude’s got problems,” Meghan mutters.
Her comment startles a laugh out of me. “No doubt.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Alison
I’m sitting in the front row of the small auditorium with Meghan on my right. The seat to my left is empty, but the rest, surrounding us, are filled with marketing department staff and managers. I know they’re aware that Ben is absent, and several people saw the cleaning crew in Sam’s office before this meeting, so I’m sure there’s a buzz about that going around the room. Since Meghan and I were sitting adjacent to the office watching them work, they know I’m involved somehow. Hell, I know they know. I can hear people whispering behind me, and I’ve seen several fingers pointing right at me.