Her comment startles a laugh out of me. “No doubt.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Alison
I’m sittingin 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, Iknowthey know. I can hear people whispering behind me, and I’ve seen several fingers pointing right at me.
“Thanks for coming everyone.” Graham made his way to the stage and has started the meeting without me even noticing.
Get it together, Ali.
The room quiets immediately as Graham begins to speak. “As you may know, I received a file containing several complaints about the marketing department. Because of those complaints, I hired Alison Kirby to investigate the veracity of the claims in the file, and she’s done just that. As a result, Sam Ford and Ben Schilling have been placed on paid administrative leave until the issues related to those claims can be resolved. In the meantime, I’ve asked Alison to step in as interim department head.”
Grumbling sounds begin to erupt from the crowd, but Graham isn’t deterred. “She’s more than qualified for that position. She’s been chosen because I need someone at the helm who isn’t personally involved with the dra—the issues currently impacting the work being done in marketing.
“In addition, Gladys has decided to take early retirement to spend more time with her grandchildren.”
I look over at Meghan and raise a brow.
Interesting.
“Clive Burgess has accepted a new position as executive assistant to our chief fiscal officer, Molly Adams.”
“Executive assistant?” Meghan whispers at the same time she rubs her thumb and fingers together, indicating money. It’s definitely a promotion. I merely nod.
“There will also be some changes in office locations, which will happen in the next few days.”
Meghan and I look at each other again, both of us curious about those changes. Maybe Ben will get something larger. Clive’s office? Doubtful. But one can hope.
After Graham finishes listing all of the changes, he pauses. Taking the microphone in hand, he walks around the podium so there’s nothing between the man and the department. “I’m only going to say this once.” His voice has dropped an octave, and it’s a little growly. “You all need to get to work. If I have to personally address another issue in marketing, I’m not going to be happy about it. We’ve got a company to run. So if any of you have issues, come tome. Call my assistant and make a goddamn appointment. I want to hear it from you, not in somefilethat took God knows how many work hours to compile,” he says angrily, but he doesn’t look at anyone in particular.
He takes a breath. “I care about this company and those of you who work for me. I hope these changes show you that much. Ben and Sam will return at some point, and when they do, my hope is the changes and the transition will be seamless and you can all do your jobs with minimal distractions. Thank you.” Graham moves back to the podium, slides the mic back into its stand, and leaves.
“Well, that was interesting,” Meghan says with large round eyes.
“It was.”
When we stand, I notice several people looking my way. Lindsay raises her hand in a small wave, and I do the same in return. Silvia gives me a smile, and Brendan warms my heart with a scowl.
Why are some men such jerks?
* * *
Back upstairs,I see the cleaning crew is just finishing up. The person in charge appears to be a man named Hal. At least that’s what the patch on his shirt says. When he approaches me, I stand and wait for his assessment of the office.
“We’ll need to come up after hours to get that carpet cleaned.” Hal visibly shivers. “We were able to locate the origin of that smell, and that’s been removed as well.”
The origin of the smell?Now it’s my turn to shiver.
We’ve stacked up all the papers and folders and so on onto the sofa and chair in the sitting area. We made sure not to throw anything away that looked like it was related to the job, just garbage like wrappers and empty boxes.
I peek into Sam’s office and count five large garbage bags filled to bursting. Wow.
“Thank you,” I say with a smile. “I appreciate how fast you got up here.”
He chuckles. “We’ve wanted in there for months, but he… Sam wouldn’t allow it.”
Why?
