Page 24 of Joy to Noel
I purposely arrive fifteen minutes ahead of our scheduled meeting, so Mark is surprised when I walk into his office. And catch him playing a game on his phone in the midst of chaotic piles of folders and papers spread across every flat surface.
My eyes narrow in proportion to the way Mark’s widen. He abruptly stands and stammers, “Mr. Park, I, uh, I wasn’t expecting you for a few more minutes. I had just finished up some . . . things and was waiting for you before I moved on.”
I’m confident that my face is broadcasting the irritation I feel because I make no attempt to cover it up. Mark’s face reddens in response.
“How long have you worked here, Mark?” I ask.
He swallows hard. “Mr. Wilson hired me in December. We met through an acquaintance in Bentonville, and he offered me the job shortly after.”
An hour later, I have all the information I need to draw a proverbial red line through Mark’s name on the employment list. For some reason, Mr. Wilson had fired the original employees assigned to finance and HR, replacing the two of them with Mark.
According to Mark, he was promised an easy job because Mr. Wilson would be carrying much of the workload in order to “save the company money.”
I smell a rat.
After having Mark sign in to his accounts, I essentially take over his mess of a desk and email myself all of the finance and human resources reports that I want. On the way back to my office, I stop at Amanda’s desk.
“I need you to let the quality control team know that I won’t be shadowing them this afternoon. And block off my schedule from any other meetings today,” I say. As soon as Amanda nods in acknowledgment, I turn away and stalk to my office.
I have some reports to review with a fine-tooth comb.Severalreports.
“What exactly are you saying?” Cal asks. I have him on speaker, my phone sitting on my desk in the midst of several marked-up reports. It’s after eight in the evening, and a headache is blooming behind my exhausted eyes.
“I can’t tell youexactlywhat’s happening yet. I’m on the verge of figuring that out, I think. But in general, I’m telling you that the plant manager was up to some shady practices. I don’t think we’re looking at a casual breakdown in procedures or accidental lack of efficiency here,” I say, leaning both hands on the desk. “Don’t let Pure Fur All make any moves filling the manager position here until I figure out exactly what Mr. Wilson was up to and who else knew about it.”
“You know that means you staying there longer to keep things running. In podunk Arkansas,” Cal states, as if I didn’t already know that.
My natural instinct would be to sigh in frustration at the reminder, but a series of images flashes through my mind—Madison’s smug smile when she asked about my suits this morning. The look of pleasure shetried to hide when she took a sip of the coffee I made for her. Her small fingers clenched around my arm. Suddenly, the frustration evaporates.
“Yeah, I know. It’s what needs to happen, though,” I say. “I’ll keep you updated on everything I find out.”
“I expect that update soon,” Cal says before ending the call.
I straighten up my desk, organizing the papers into folders and storing everything in my satchel. I power down my laptop and add it to the bag along with my tablet. Looping the bag over my shoulder, I head out for the day.
The second shift employees are working hard on the production line, but all of the office staff are long gone for the day. As I walk through the abandoned lobby, my phone lights up with a text.
MJ
No amount of overtime hours from you could defeat my accomplishments today.
I can’t help but grin at my phone. Even though I need to curb this smiling reaction to Madison.
ME
Is that so? I’m just walking to my car. Are there any good places we could eat dinner while comparing notes?
MJ
That depends on your definition of “good.” Your big city snobbery has me hesitant to offer suggestions.
ME
Didn’t you come here from Kansas City? That’s not exactly a small town.
MJ
Yes, but we’ve already established that I’m Noel-resident adjacent thanks to my bff.
