“Dude, that’s mine.” Decker tugged out a different cup and handed it toCrockett.
How Decker could drink that syrupy crap was beyond him. “How was your timeoff?”
“I worked some,” Deckersaid.
“Me, too. I hope we were in the minority. I close Wilde so employees can take a break fromwork.”
“Work is my chill. Plus, I was the fun uncle for my eight nieces and nephews. After five days of chaos, I was ready to rollout.”
“Don’t likekids?”
His upper lip twisted into a grimace. “They’re okay.You?”
“I teach eighteen of ‘em. I love the littlesquirts.”
Decker gulped a hearty sip. “Did you see QA’s assessment ofMoth?”
Crockett’s pleasant expression plunged like an anchor off the side of a vessel. “I read thereport.”
“I was hoping you hadn’t,yet.”
“The results are deadwrong.”
“Moth checked out. So did the software. I spoke with Larrymyself.”
“Is he inyet?”
“Noidea.”
“Let’s go pay our QA Director a visit.” Crockett was halfway to Larry Berry’s office before Decker caught up withhim.
Effective December first, Larry Berry ran Wilde’s Quality Assurance Division. Over the past five years, Larry had made steady career progress. He’d started as a QA Analyst, then got bumped to manager. Though Larry had the personality of a bucket of fucking hair, Crockett promoted him because he got the jobdone.
After the debacle with his former QA Director, Ruth Lizzard, Crockett welcomed the man with zero personality. While Ruth had been his sharpest director, she’d also caused him more disruption than all his other employees combined. So, in October, he’d terminated her for her continued sexual improprieties and sexualharassment.
The thought of her left a nasty taste, which he swallowed down with the robust espresso. He and Decker walked into Larry’s office to find him hunched over his phone, typing atext.
“Larry, we need to discuss your report on Moth,” Deckersaid.
Ignoring them, Larry continuedtexting.
“Larry.” Crockett’s firm tone made his directorjump.
Larry set his phone face down on his desk. “Happy New Year. What brings youby?”
Crossing his arms, Crockett said, “Moth’sfailure.”
“Everything checked out,” Larry said while smoothing his thickmoustache.
Up went Crockett’s eyebrows. “It’sinaccurate.”
“What Crockett means,” Decker interjected, “is that we need to review youranalysis.”
Larry shot Crockett a cool smile. “No problem.” He shifted his attention to his computer. Several clicks later, he said, “You’ve got it. Let me know what questions you have. My results arefinal.”
“Based onwhat?”
After glancing at Decker, Larry turned his full attention on Crockett. “We found no problems with the software. The hardware checked out.” He shrugged. “It was a one-off. Happens toeveryone.”
