Come home. We already have enough to investigate.
Naomi stared.
Maybe.
Then another message from Kiara? No, Kiara didn't have her number. Instead, Naomi returned to floor and witnessed more.
At 1:40, Asha asked Linda why a supervisor had removed fourteen minutes from her previous shift.
Linda said:
“You were standing around after line stop.”
Asha replied:
“I was waiting for materials because team lead told us.”
Linda’s voice hardened.
“Are you arguing payroll with me on floor?”
“I’m asking.”
“Go finish restroom corridor.”
Asha looked embarrassed.
“I’m assigned packaging.”
“Now you’re assigned restroom corridor.”
A few workers glanced over.
Linda added:
“Maybe next time you’ll spend your paid time working instead of studying the clock.”
Asha’s eyes flashed.
But she went.
Naomi almost stepped in.
Then remembered role.
Observe.
But observation becomes complicity eventually.
How long?
That was the ethical problem nobody solved in the conference room.
At 2:15, Linda told a young temp to throw away a sealed lunch because it was left on the wrong shelf.
Permanent employees had food there too.
Naomi noticed.
She asked Mrs. Hall quietly:
“Is that shelf restricted?”
“No.”
“Then?”
Mrs. Hall stared toward Linda.
“Don’t start.”
“You know.”
“I know many things.”
“Have you reported?”
Mrs. Hall looked at Naomi.
“You’re very new to ask old questions.”
Naomi stopped.
Fair.
At 3:00, shift changed.
Naomi’s assignment technically ended at 3:30.
She could leave.
Instead she remained in break room restocking cleaning supplies while Malcolm traveled from corporate regional office to Dayton.
He was coming because payroll release had been intentionally moved to onsite review after finance found irregularities.
Naomi had not planned the timing as a reveal.
She expected to meet Malcolm privately after shift.
Then Linda entered.
The supervisor looked angry already.
“Naomi.”
“Yes?”
“Why is west restroom still open?”
“Facilities lead said floors need another ten minutes to dry.”
“I asked why it’s open.”
Naomi looked at wet-floor sign.
“Because floor is wet.”
Someone near coffee station suppressed a smile.
Linda heard.
Her face changed.
“Come here.”
Naomi did.
Linda stood close.
“Are you trying to be smart?”
“No.”
“Then stop answering like that.”
“I answered your question.”
Linda pointed toward restroom.
“Go finish.”
“Mrs. Hall is doing final check.”
“I told you.”
Naomi looked toward employees.
Then back.
“Is this sanitation assignment or discipline?”
The room quieted.
Linda stared.
“What did you say?”
“I’ve noticed restroom cleaning is sometimes assigned when temporary employees question timecards or instructions.”
Mrs. Hall froze.
Kiara stood near doorway.
Eyes wide.
Linda’s face reddened.
“Who do you think you are?”
Naomi could have ended it.