“No.” He shot me a look. “She’s being helpful, sir.”
“I see… Based on everything you’ve heard, would letting her go in a couple of weeks be a terrible idea?”
He didn’t answer.
“Eric?”
“It would be an utterly terrible idea, sir,” he said. “The employees’ conflicted feelings aside, they all still revere her very much. She’s still their boss—for some odd reason, in their eyes.”
“The boss more so than me?”
He said nothing again.
“Fine, then,” I said. “Keep listening.”
I went inside and took the elevator down to Human Resources. Since no one was due to be there for a few hours, I pulled the files for the employees I was due to interview today.
Taking them up to my office, I laid them out on my desk and pulled out Andrea’s file for the umpteenth time.
Unlike her coworkers, her file had enough pages to fill a book, and she never scored less than “10/10” during performance reviews. And recently, no matter who Iinterviewed, whenever I asked, “Who do you consider to be the best employee here?” Andrea’s name was always said.
Every. Single. Time.
What do they know that I don’t?
FOURTEEN (B)
HARRISON
Later that morning, Andrea avoided my gaze as she brought in my breakfast and files.
“Here you are, Mr. Cross,” she said.
“Miss Stone.” I avoided looking at her, too—not wanting to risk a repeat. “I need you to make sure the three grand meeting rooms are set up for my appointments this morning.”
“I’ve already done that.”
“My pilot needs an updated schedule for my media tour.”
“I sent it to him last night.”
“Well, since you’re three days ahead?—”
“I’m seven days ahead,” she said, her eyes meeting mine. “Hoping that means I’ll earn some ‘free time’ soon.”
“It means you should add comedy to your list of talents.” I stole a long look at her lips. “Send in my first interviewee for the morning.”
“Please?” she asked, as if she were waiting for me to say it.
I kept her waiting.
She rolled her eyes and slipped out of the room, and I made a mental note to give her tasks that would keep her out of my sight for as long as possible.
As I smeared cream cheese on my bagel, Employee #547—Natalie Jones—walked into my office.
She was listed as an “aesthetic specialist” according to Human Resources, and the first person I’d ever met with that title.
I waited for her to take the seat across from me before clearing my throat.
