“What’s your title?”
He looked surprised.
“Facilities technician.”
“Thank you.”
He took the handle.
The CEO looked at the spilled coffee.
“I’m sorry this was turned into a performance.”
His expression changed.
“Not your fault.”
“No.”
She looked toward the director.
“It wasn’t.”
The director walked toward the conference room.
The CEO followed.
So did the chairman.
The door closed.
Glass walls.
Blinds remained open.
Employees pretended not to watch.
Inside, the director sat.
The CEO remained standing.
The chairman placed the investigation file on the table.
The director stared at it.
“I want counsel.”
The chairman nodded.
“Good.”
The CEO said:
“You should have counsel.”
The director looked surprised.
Perhaps she expected intimidation.
The CEO continued:
“You are being placed on paid administrative leave immediately.”
“You will surrender building access and company devices.”
“Legal will provide written instructions.”
“Do not contact employees regarding this investigation.”
The director’s fear briefly became anger.
“You’re suspending me because I told you to clean coffee?”
“No.”
“Then because of what?”
The CEO sat.
“Would you like the short list or the long one?”
The director’s mouth tightened.
“I have run this branch for nine years.”
“Yes.”
“I took it from forty-two million in annual operating revenue to nearly ninety.”
“Yes.”
“I have the strongest margins in the region.”
“Yes.”
“And now anonymous complaints from disgruntled employees outweigh actual results?”