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.
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 wantmeto be the interim department head?”
“We need someone to steer this ship ofcreative minds,” he says with an eye roll. “And right now, there’s too many people involved with this clusterfuck to do it properly.You’renot 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.”
