The View from Alameda Island - Robyn Carr Page 0,93
against direct instructions and against policy in coming to your home, but this is important. And it’s not good news.”
“What’s wrong? What in the world...”
“I’ve been informed that you will be terminated next Friday.”
Lauren let a short, confused huff of laughter escape. “The Friday before the holidays? Why?”
“Human Resources will handle that and I can’t wait to hear what they come up with since every ounce of documentation from me shows exemplary performance. Here’s what little I know—the decision came from very high in the company and they’ve decided to eliminate your position for budget reasons. Someone, somewhere has decided it won’t take a director to run your department but they are not offering you a chance to stay on as a supervisor. And they don’t have another director’s position open for you.” She shook her head. “It’s insane. Can you think of anything? Any reason? Any connection?”
Lauren was stunned and shook her head. She had to lean on the counter in the kitchen and take a few deep breaths. Then she went to the living room couch and sat down. “Why?” she asked.
Bea just shrugged. “I smell a rat,” she said.
“Does someone at the company have a grudge?” Lauren asked. “Do I have an enemy somewhere I don’t know about?”
“Not in our department,” Bea said. “I may not be the most powerful senior director on record but I raised four children. I have a sharp eye and good instincts. Lauren, could your husband have anything to do with this?”
“I don’t see how,” she said. “He’s not even friendly with my coworkers. No one in our department is important enough to do him any good.”
“But is this something he would do if he could? Cost you your job?”
“I don’t know. I don’t see how.” She blinked a few times. “What should I do?”
“Well, I’ll do what I can, but I don’t have much influence. Right now, before it actually comes to pass, I have zero power and could lose my job just for defying direct instructions not to tell you. So for now, we’re both going to have to be clandestine as all hell and keep a good poker face. I don’t know who knows. I got my instructions from the VP of marketing. He doesn’t know any particulars. I argued this was insane, that of everyone in product development you were probably the least likely to be terminated. You’re going to have to be so stoic this week.”
“Maybe I should call in sick...”
“Take a couple of short days if you want to—no one would notice. Everyone is sneaking out to see their kids’ holiday activities from classroom parties to Christmas concerts. You should contact a lawyer and think, Lauren. Think if you can connect the dots. Somebody has a personal vendetta. I might be crazy but I don’t know anyone in our division with that kind of influence. When it happens, you should be ready to fight it.”
“Just what I need,” she said. “Another lawyer.”
“When I think of someone losing her job right before Christmas, I think this is personal and vengeful. Don’t you?”
“If I worked in the medical field, he could probably easily sabotage my employment. But the food industry? It’s not like he socializes with—Okay, this is crazy. Didn’t Sylvie Emerson sit on our board of directors about five or six years ago?”
Bea was shaking her head. “Lauren, I haven’t kept track of board members. I’m not high enough in the food chain to pay attention. What would that have to do with anything?”
“Brad thinks of himself as a friend to Andy Emerson. But I honestly can’t imagine either Andy or Sylvie...” She shook her head. “That just doesn’t come together in my head. They’re good people. When I told Sylvie about the divorce, she was very frank. Brad never fooled her. She isn’t fond of him. She wouldn’t do him a favor. Especially a favor like this.”
“Maybe you should talk to her,” Bea said. “Just keep your source out of it for now.”
“I can do that. Now that I’m separated, Sylvie and I see each other regularly.” She stood. “I think we’d better have that wine.”
“I don’t know,” Bea said. “I should get out of here before that young man brings you dinner.”
“Don’t leave on account of Beau,” Lauren said. “I’ve known him quite a while but we started seeing each other recently. He’s nothing like Brad. Let’s have a glass of wine and see if the grape brings any ideas to the surface.”