Chapter 6: The Secretary Who Forgot Who Signed the Rules
Paige didn't wait for the meeting to end.
Within minutes of my announcement,Paige didn't wait for the meeting to end.
Within minutes of my announcement, she had entered Daniel's office and shut the door.
I knew because the glass wall offered a clear view of her pacing.
She was talking rapidly, gesturing with both hands, and repeatedly pointing toward the conference room.
Daniel sat behind his desk with his phone pressed to his ear.
He she had entered Daniel's office and shut the door.
I knew because the glass wall offered a clear view of her pacing.
She was talking rapidly, gesturing with both hands, and repeatedly pointing toward the conference room.
Daniel sat behind his desk with his phone pressed to his ear.
He looked angry.
Paige looked frightened.
It was the first time I had seen looked angry.
Paige looked frightened.
It was the first time I had seen her wear that expression.
I turned away from the window and focused on the documents Evelyn had her wear that expression.
I turned away from the window and focused on the documents Evelyn had provided.
The human resources director, Martin Cole, sat to my right.
provided.
The human resources director, Martin Cole, sat to my right.
He had worked at Bellweather for eleven years and appeared deeply uncomfortable.
"Mr. Cole," I said, "I'd likeHe had worked at Bellweather for eleven years and appeared deeply uncomfortable.
"Mr. Cole," I said, "I'd like you to explain the company's current procedure for reporting workplace misconduct.""
He opened his folder.
"Employees may report you to explain the company's current procedure for reporting workplace misconduct.""
He opened his folder.
"Employees may report concerns to their direct supervisors, to human resources, or through the confidential reporting system.""
"And what happens when the person involved concerns to their direct supervisors, to human resources, or through the confidential reporting system.""
"And what happens when the person involved is the employee's direct supervisor?""
"They can report to human resources or use the is the employee's direct supervisor?""
"They can report to human resources or use the confidential system.""
"And if the complaint involves a senior executive?""
Martin hesitated.
"They can contact the HR director directly, or confidential system.""
"And if the complaint involves a senior executive?""
Martin hesitated.
"They can contact the HR director directly, or the board's ethics committee.""
"How many complaints have been filed against members of the executive the board's ethics committee.""
"How many complaints have been filed against members of the executive office in the past twelve months?""
He looked down at his papers.
"I'd need to verify the exact number.""
"Please do office in the past twelve months?""
He looked down at his papers.
"I'd need to verify the exact number.""
"Please do.""
He made a note.
I continued.
"Are executive assistants authorized to determine which employees.""
He made a note.
I continued.
"Are executive assistants authorized to determine which employees may access common executive facilities?""
"No. Access restrictions are determined by security and facilities management.""
"Are they authorized may access common executive facilities?""
"No. Access restrictions are determined by security and facilities management.""
"Are they authorized to impose disciplinary measures?""
"No.""
"Are they authorized to conduct personal inspections to impose disciplinary measures?""
"No.""
"Are they authorized to conduct personal inspections of employees?""
He looked uncomfortable.
"Not in the sense you've described.""
I nodded.
"Then we of employees?""
He looked uncomfortable.
"Not in the sense you've described.""
I nodded.
"Then we have a gap between our written policies and what employees believe is permitted.""
Martin said nothing have a gap between our written policies and what employees believe is permitted.""
Martin said nothing.
I turned to Evelyn.
"I'd like an internal review of executive-floor access procedures,.
I turned to Evelyn.
"I'd like an internal review of executive-floor access procedures, complaint handling, and any instances in which administrative staff may have exercised authority beyond their assigned responsibilities.""
Evelyn complaint handling, and any instances in which administrative staff may have exercised authority beyond their assigned responsibilities.""
Evelyn nodded.
"Approved.""
Daniel's chair scraped against the floor.
"With respect, Natalie, I think nodded.
"Approved.""
Daniel's chair scraped against the floor.
"With respect, Natalie, I think we should be careful not to overreact to an isolated incident.""
I turned toward him.
"Isolated?""
He seemed we should be careful not to overreact to an isolated incident.""
I turned toward him.
"Isolated?""
He seemed to realize the word had been a mistake.
"We don't yet know the full circumstances.""
"Correct. Which is to realize the word had been a mistake.
"We don't yet know the full circumstances.""
"Correct. Which is why we're reviewing the facts.""
He clasped his hands.
"Paige has been an important part of my office why we're reviewing the facts.""
He clasped his hands.
"Paige has been an important part of my office for years. She's highly capable, and I don't want a misunderstanding to for years. She's highly capable, and I don't want a misunderstanding to damage her reputation.""
I held his gaze.
"Then a fair review should be in everyone's damage her reputation.""
I held his gaze.
"Then a fair review should be in everyone's interest.""
His expression hardened.
"Of course.""
"Good.""
I interest.""
His expression hardened.
"Of course.""
"Good.""
I returned my attention to Martin.
"Please document the findings and provide them directly to returned my attention to Martin.
"Please document the findings and provide them directly to me and the board's ethics committee. I don't want anyone involved in the review deciding which evidence is worth keeping.""
Martin nodded.
"Understood.""
The meeting continued for another me and the board's ethics committee. I don't want anyone involved in the review deciding which evidence is worth keeping.""
Martin nodded.
"Understood.""
The meeting continued for another twenty minutes.
We reviewed financial projections, staffing priorities, and the upcoming client presentation.
Daniel participated when twenty minutes.
We reviewed financial projections, staffing priorities, and the upcoming client presentation.
Daniel participated when required, but his attention kept drifting toward the glass wall.
Paige required, but his attention kept drifting toward the glass wall.
Paige had stopped pacing.
She was now sitting in his office, staring at her phone.
had stopped pacing.
She was now sitting in his office, staring at her phone.
Once, she looked up and caught me watching her.
She immediately lowered her eyes.
When the meeting ended,Once, she looked up and caught me watching her.
She immediately lowered her eyes.
When the meeting ended, I asked Daniel to remain.
The other executives filed out.
Evelyn paused beside my I asked Daniel to remain.
The other executives filed out.
Evelyn paused beside my chair.
"Would you like me to stay?""
I appreciated the question.
"Not chair.
"Would you like me to stay?""
I appreciated the question.
"Not yet. I'll let you know if we need the board's involvement.""
She nodded and left.
The door yet. I'll let you know if we need the board's involvement.""
She nodded and left.
The door closed.
Daniel remained standing.
For several seconds, he seemed unable to decide whether to approach closed.
Daniel remained standing.
For several seconds, he seemed unable to decide whether to approach me or retreat to his office.
Finally, he pulled out the chair opposite mine.
"That was me or retreat to his office.
Finally, he pulled out the chair opposite mine.
"That was humiliating.""
I looked at him.
"What was?""
"Being introduced to the new CEO in front of my entire leadership team humiliating.""
I looked at him.
"What was?""
"Being introduced to the new CEO in front of my entire leadership team without any warning.""
I blinked slowly.
"You knew I was starting today.""
"I didn't know you were going to without any warning.""
I blinked slowly.
"You knew I was starting today.""
"I didn't know you were going to handle it this way.""
"You mean I didn't tell you I was going to introduce myself?""
" handle it this way.""
"You mean I didn't tell you I was going to introduce myself?""
"That's not what I meant.""
"Then explain what you meant.""
He exhaled sharply.
That's not what I meant.""
"Then explain what you meant.""
He exhaled sharply.
"Natalie, I understand why you wanted to observe the company. I even understand why you were upset about what happened with Paige. But you could have told me"Natalie, I understand why you wanted to observe the company.
I even understand why you were upset about what happened with Paige. But you could have told me who you were before this became a public issue.""
I stared at him.
"Would that have changed how you treated me?""
He looked away.
who you were before this became a public issue.""
I stared at him.
"Would that have changed how you treated me?""
He looked away.
"I would never deliberately disrespect you.""
"You told me to go home.""
"Because"I would never deliberately disrespect you.""
"You told me to go home.""
"Because you were upset.""
"You defended Paige.""
"Because I was trying to calm the situation.""
"You never asked you were upset.""
"You defended Paige.""
"Because I was trying to calm the situation.""
"You never asked whether she had poured a drink on me.""
He rubbed his jaw.
"I wasn't there whether she had poured a drink on me.""
He rubbed his jaw.
"I wasn't there.""
"You were standing right in front of me when I told you.""
He said nothing.
I leaned forward.""
"You were standing right in front of me when I told you.""
He said nothing.
I leaned forward.
"Daniel, imagine someone treating your mother the way Paige treated me. Imagine that person.
"Daniel, imagine someone treating your mother the way Paige treated me. Imagine that person insulting her, pouring a drink on her, and then smiling while you defended them.""
insulting her, pouring a drink on her, and then smiling while you defended them.""
His expression shifted.
"Don't bring my mother into this.""
"Why not?""
"Because this hasHis expression shifted.
"Don't bring my mother into this.""
"Why not?""
"Because this has nothing to do with her.""
I held his gaze.
"Then explain why Paige is wearing the watch you told me you bought nothing to do with her.""
I held his gaze.
"Then explain why Paige is wearing the watch you told me you bought for her.""
The silence returned.
Daniel leaned back.
For several seconds, he looked at the table rather than for her.""
The silence returned.
Daniel leaned back.
For several seconds, he looked at the table rather than at me.
Finally, he spoke.
"I was going to explain.""
"When?""
at me.
Finally, he spoke.
"I was going to explain.""
"When?""
"Later.""
"After I stopped asking?""
He closed his eyes briefly.
"Pa"Later.""
"After I stopped asking?""
He closed his eyes briefly.
"Paige needed a gift for a family event. She admired the watch, and I letige needed a gift for a family event. She admired the watch, and I let her borrow it.""
I absorbed his words.
"You let her borrow a limited-ed her borrow it.""
I absorbed his words.
"You let her borrow a limited-edition watch that you told me had been purchased for your mother?""
"I intended to sort it outition watch that you told me had been purchased for your mother?""
"I intended to sort it out.""
"How?""
"I don't know yet.""
I studied his face.
He was speaking more carefully.""
"How?""
"I don't know yet.""
I studied his face.
He was speaking more carefully now, but he still hadn't explained why he had lied.
"Did your mother ever receive now, but he still hadn't explained why he had lied.
"Did your mother ever receive the watch?""
He hesitated.
"No.""
The answer was quiet.
But it was unmistakable.
I felt a the watch?""
He hesitated.
"No.""
The answer was quiet.
But it was unmistakable.
I felt a wave of disappointment so profound that, for a moment, I couldn't speak.
Not because wave of disappointment so profound that, for a moment, I couldn't speak.
Not because of the money.
Not even because of Paige.
Because Daniel had allowed me to believe I had done something of the money.
Not even because of Paige.
Because Daniel had allowed me to believe I had done something thoughtful for his mother when he knew she had received nothing.
I had sent him thoughtful for his mother when he knew she had received nothing.
I had sent him the money for the purchase.
I had thanked him for taking care of the arrangement.
the money for the purchase.
I had thanked him for taking care of the arrangement.
I had even asked whether Margaret liked it.
He had lied to me at every step.
I had even asked whether Margaret liked it.
He had lied to me at every step.
"Why?"" I whispered.
He looked up.
"I can explain.""
"Then do it"Why?"" I whispered.
He looked up.
"I can explain.""
"Then do it.""
He opened his mouth.
Closed it.
Then glanced toward the door.
That was when I.""
He opened his mouth.
Closed it.
Then glanced toward the door.
That was when I understood that he wasn't struggling to find the truth.
He was struggling to decide how much of it he could safely reveal.
understood that he wasn't struggling to find the truth.
He was struggling to decide how much of it he could safely reveal.
"Daniel," I said, "I want the complete explanation. Not a version designed to make this"Daniel," I said, "I want the complete explanation. Not a version designed to make this conversation easier.""
He swallowed.
"Paige and I have worked closely conversation easier.""
He swallowed.
"Paige and I have worked closely together. Sometimes things become complicated.""
"Complicated how?""
He didn't answer.
I waited.
Finally, he said, "She has been together. Sometimes things become complicated.""
"Complicated how?""
He didn't answer.
I waited.
Finally, he said, "She has been under a lot of pressure.""
I stared at him.
"That's your explanation?""
"No.""
under a lot of pressure.""
I stared at him.
"That's your explanation?""
"No.""
"Then what is it?""
He lowered his voice.
"She's important to me.""
The words landed with devastating simplicity.
"Then what is it?""
He lowered his voice.
"She's important to me.""
The words landed with devastating simplicity.
I had suspected that their relationship was inappropriate.
I had suspected that DanielI had suspected that their relationship was inappropriate.
I had suspected that Daniel had given Paige privileges she didn't deserve.
But hearing him acknowledge her importance while sitting across had given Paige privileges she didn't deserve.
But hearing him acknowledge her importance while sitting across from his wife was different from his wife was different.
I looked at the wedding ring on my finger.
"More important than your mother?""
"That's not fair.""
"More important than your wife?""
He stood abruptly.
"I didn't.
I looked at the wedding ring on my finger.
"More important than your mother?""
"That's not fair.""
"More important than your wife?""
He stood abruptly.
"I didn't say that.""
"You didn't need to.""
He began pacing.
"This is exactly why I didn't want to discuss it at work.""
I say that.""
"You didn't need to.""
He began pacing.
"This is exactly why I didn't want to discuss it at work.""
I almost smiled.
"Because the facts are inconvenient?""
"Because you're turning everything into an accusation.""
I rose almost smiled.
"Because the facts are inconvenient?""
"Because you're turning everything into an accusation.""
I rose from my chair.
"No, Daniel. I'm finally asking questions you can't from my chair.
"No, Daniel. I'm finally asking questions you can't answer with a meeting invitation or a promise to handle things later.""
He stopped answer with a meeting invitation or a promise to handle things later.""
He stopped pacing.
For a moment, we simply looked at each other.
Then he said something that made my heart go pacing.
For a moment, we simply looked at each other.
Then he said something that made my heart go cold.
"Paige has made sacrifices for me.""
I stared at him.
"What sacrifices?""
He didn't respond.
cold.
"Paige has made sacrifices for me.""
I stared at him.
"What sacrifices?""
He didn't respond.
"What exactly has she sacrificed?""
He looked toward the window.
I waited.
Finally, he turned back"What exactly has she sacrificed?""
He looked toward the window.
I waited.
Finally, he turned back.
"I can't discuss that with you right now.""
I nodded slowly.
"Then I suggest you start thinking.
"I can't discuss that with you right now.""
I nodded slowly.
"Then I suggest you start thinking carefully about what you can discuss, because I'm no carefully about what you can discuss, because I'm no longer willing to accept unexplained gifts, missing money, or special privileges as ordinary business.""
His longer willing to accept unexplained gifts, missing money, or special privileges as ordinary business.""
His face tightened.
"Are you threatening me?""
"No.""
I gathered the papers in front face tightened.
"Are you threatening me?""
"No.""
I gathered the papers in front of me.
"I'm telling you that your position doesn't exempt you from the standards we expect everyone of me.
"I'm telling you that your position doesn't exempt you from the standards we expect everyone else to follow.""
He stared at me as though he no longer recognized the woman standing else to follow.""
He stared at me as though he no longer recognized the woman standing before him.
Perhaps he didn't.
For ten years, I had tried to make our marriage work by giving him before him.
Perhaps he didn't.
For ten years, I had tried to make our marriage work by giving him space, trusting his explanations, and choosing not to turn every suspicion into a confrontation.
He had space, trusting his explanations, and choosing not to turn every suspicion into a confrontation.
He had mistaken that patience for permission.
He had mistaken my trust for ignorance.
And now he was mistaken that patience for permission.
He had mistaken my trust for ignorance.
And now he was discovering that the woman he had dismissed that morning was no longer willing to look away.
I walked discovering that the woman he had dismissed that morning was no longer willing to look away.
I walked toward the door.
Before I opened it, Daniel spoke.
"Natalie, wait.""
I turned.
His expression had changed toward the door.
Before I opened it, Daniel spoke.
"Natalie, wait.""
I turned.
His expression had changed.
For the first time that day, he looked genuinely afraid.
"Whatever you think is happening between Paige and me.
For the first time that day, he looked genuinely afraid.
"Whatever you think is happening between Paige and me, there's something you need to understand.""
I remained silent.
He glanced toward the glass wall.
, there's something you need to understand.""
I remained silent.
He glanced toward the glass wall.
Paige was standing outside his office again, watching us.
Then he lowered his voice.
"If youPaige was standing outside his office again, watching us.
Then he lowered his voice.
"If you start digging into her background, you may discover things that affect more than just our marriage start digging into her background, you may discover things that affect more than just our marriage.""
I felt a chill move through me.
"What does that mean?""
Daniel hesitated.
Then he looked directly into my.""
I felt a chill move through me.
"What does that mean?""
Daniel hesitated.
Then he looked directly into my eyes.
"It means Paige isn't the only person at Bellweather who has something to lose.""
Before I could ask another eyes.
"It means Paige isn't the only person at Bellweather who has something to lose.""
Before I could ask another question, his phone began to ring.
He glanced at the screen.
His expression changed instantly.
He declined the question, his phone began to ring.
He glanced at the screen.
His expression changed instantly.
He declined the call.
But not before I saw the name displayed.
*Margaret Mercer.*
His mother.
I looked call.
But not before I saw the name displayed.
*Margaret Mercer.*
His mother.
I looked at him.
"Why is your mother calling you at work?""
Daniel didn't answer.
His phone rang again at him.
"Why is your mother calling you at work?""
Daniel didn't answer.
His phone rang again.
May you like
And this time, when he reached for it, his hands were shaking..
And this time, when he reached for it, his hands were shaking.
