Rubbing his chin, he nods. “No, it’s not. I need to get with HR about all of this. Thank you for all of your hard work. Please send me your bill.”
And that’s it? I’m done? I guess I am, since I answered the questions as it relates to the green file. I still have others, though.
“If I may….”
“What?”
“I still have some unanswered questions.”
“Like?”
“Like who provided Ben with the incorrect social media data for his presentation?”
“You’re sure making it obvious.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Ben. You’re trying to help him, but I think it may be a fruitless endeavor.”
“I like both BenandLindsay. Actually, I like almost everyone in your department.”
“Almost?”
I’m not about to tell him my feelings about Sam and Clive. “Almost.”
“Who doesn’t make the cut? Sam?”
I don’t say a word.
“Okay. Sam and who else?”
“I’m not going to say.”
“I know it’s Clive because he took your office and hasn’t done jack shit since I promoted him.”
“What’s he supposed to be doing?”
“Spying. Giving me intel.”
“And how’s that going?” I smirk. The guy hasn’t stepped foot from his office except to go to lunch. I know because I’ve kept an eye on him, and because people have been talking.
Graham scoffs. “Not good. According to IT, all he does all day is play video games.”
I put my hand over my mouth to stop the laugh, but it’s no good.
“It’s not funny.” But then he smirks. “He’s the one who handed me the folder.”
“Oh?” I’m not surprised. But this means he wasn’t completely truthful with Ben about all of it. If he and Lindsay were in on this together…. “I think he and Lindsay have been co-conspirators, especially as it relates to Ben. My guess is she’s the source of the incorrect social media data and Clive’s the one who added it to his presentation.”
Graham leans way back in his seat as he rubs his palms over his face. “Jesus. That department is going to be the death of me. So much fucking drama.”
“Yeah, well, it’s because marketing is a creative field, and creative minds tend to have feelings.”
“Fuck feelings.” He must know his words are absurd because he laughs after he says them, which makes me laugh too.
* * *
The meetingwith Graham went as well as could be expected. Unfortunately, I wasn’t privy to any decisions he may make based on my report.
