His smile widened. “Of course.”
I rested my forearms on the table. “There’s just one thing I’m curious about.”
“Anything,” he said.
“How do you treat the women who work for you?”
The question landed in the room like a dropped glass.
Tucker blinked. “I’m sorry?”
“You should be. I asked how you treat women who work for you.”
A few people shifted in their chairs.
Tucker chuckled. “Well, I’d say with respect.”
“Respect.” I nodded slowly. “Interesting.”
He glanced around the table, searching for reassurance in the faces of the other businesspeople. But they were faster at picking up my cues. The women exchanged meaningful glances.
“You can ask anyone in my organisation,” Tucker continued. “I run a professional environment.”
My gaze stayed on him. “What about outside the office?”
His smile faltered. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
I stayed perfectly calm. “I mean, how you behave towards women you believe you can’t get in trouble for touching.”
A ripple of discomfort moved through the assembled group, the men now catching up.
Mitch stopped typing and hid a smile.
Tucker’s eyes narrowed. “This seems like an odd line of questioning.”
“Does it? Humour me anyway.”
He shifted his weight. “Well, I’m a social man. I enjoy parties. Networking events. Nothing unusual in our line of work.”
I tapped a finger on the table. “What about the event you hosted in Deadwater a few weeks ago?”
His shoulders stiffened. “That was a private function. One you didn’t attend.”
“With hired waitstaff.”
“Yes.”
“Topless waitstaff.”
One of the women got up and left, taking millions in investment with her.
Tucker laughed again, louder this time. “Gentlemen enjoy a bit of fun. Boys will be boys.”
I’d always hated that expression, like men should be expected to be predators. “And the women working that event? How did you treat them?”
His expression hardened. “I don’t appreciate the implication here.”
“Then clarify it.”
