“How so?” I ask.
“Well, for a few weeks following the warning we delivered he mellowed out a bit. I actually thought we were past his meltdowns, but then last Tuesday I had to realign resources on one of the project he’s been working on because of a few resignations.”
She takes a deep breath and I take out my notebook.
“Colleen who also reports to me took over as the lead, which I communicated at my staff meeting so it was no surprise that he and others would be taking direction from her.”
I hold up my hand to stop her. “That’s pretty big news. Why didn’t you tell your team in a one on one setting?”
“There’s not enough time in the day, Gabby. We’re behind as it is; I shouldn’t have to coddle a bunch of adults.”
“Megan, you know the way messages are delivered makes a huge difference. It’s not coddling, it being respectful.”
“You’re right. I could have handled it differently. That doesn’t mean his behavior after was justified. He stood up, collected his belongings and made a scene when he left the conference room.”
“What kind of scene?”
“The cursing and door slamming kind. Anyway, Colleen couldn’t find Randy the rest of the day.”
“That was days ago. Why am I just hearing about this now?” I ask.
“Maybe I should have given you a heads up but Colleen wanted to deal with it herself.”
“She’s a team lead, Megan. Not a manager. I think the world of Colleen but she doesn’t have the experience to handle a situation like that on her own.” Megan’s gaze drops to her fidgeting hands. “Where do things stand now? Did Colleen address it with him?”
“She tried. Guess he just nodded but otherwise didn’t react. He’s been a no-show for meetings this morning yet has repeatedly walked by her desk, glaring at her and she received half a dozen emails from him.”
“About what?”
“Nothing, that’s the thing. There’s no subject or message. He hasn’t outwardly threatened her or anything but she’s really uncomfortable and I can’t blame her.”
“Have you talked to him?”
“No. She just gave me the latest update a few minutes before I came here.”
“All right, forward me the emails Randy sent to Colleen today and tell me the names of employees who were in the meeting so I can interview them. After we have more information we’ll talk to Randy and go from there.”
She forwards the emails to me from her phone and includes the names of four employees who witnessed Randy’s outburst.
“And Megan?” I stop her before she leaves. “When the Randy piece is resolved we’re going to talk about how this could have been managed differently and determine next steps for your entire team.”
Megan leaves and I coordinate interviews with her team. As each employee enters my office I explain that a situation has been brought to my attention and that I need to ask them a few questions. Following our company’s procedure for handling investigations, I review the process with them before getting started to ensure they understand what’s expected including confidentiality on both ends where possible, ensure they know that retaliation of any kind won’t be tolerated and describe how follow-up regarding outcomes will be communicated as appropriate.
Employee after employee describes Randy’s outburst in the conference room exactly the same but what’s more concerning is Randy’s behavior since. The two female employees who were also in the meeting have been receiving blank emails as well. What’s worse is that Steve, the employee who publicly accused Randy of holding up the project, woke up to a slashed tire. He contacted the police but there was no evidence of a connection, so they told him to keep an eye on it.
I call our legal counsel to review my notes and then notify Megan to join me so we can discuss next steps. While I’m waiting for her I email Jack and the head of security to give them a heads up on the situation.
Megan and I review the script for our conversation with Randy. Then, I walk her through the basics of holding a difficult conversation in a safe manner, reviewing where to sit and what to do if Randy becomes angry or upset. All of our managers receive training but when you’re faced with a situation where you might need to rely on what you learned it helps to have it fresh in your mind. As a precaution I arrange for a member of the security team to casually be present in the vicinity.
Megan leaves with the task of getting Randy to meet us in a conference room in ten minutes. I gather my things and head in that direction, passing Lucas in the hall.
“Give me five minutes, Gabriella. Please.”
“I can’t be late for my meeting.” I brush past him and walk with purpose down the hall.
I get that he’s feeling shitty but I can’t let that distract me right now. Besides, I need to come to terms with the fact that I should probably apologize too.
Putting everything Lucas related aside, I get settled in the conference room and wait.
When Megan shows up with Randy twenty minutes later he’s oddly calm and remains that way the entire meeting, denying the concerns that have been made about his reaction in the meeting despite there being witnesses and claiming the emails were sent on accident.
“Are we done?” Randy asks.
Sweat forms on his forehead and his knuckles are clutching the arms of the chair so tightly they turn white. It’s times like these that I wish our company empowered me to put him on a paid leave while we determine next steps.
“With questions, yes. While we finish this investigation I want to remind you that per company policy retaliation of any kind will not be tolerated. We’ll work to determine next steps in a timely manner and in the meantime we expect you to remain professional and perform to the expectations of your role.”
“Wouldn’t have it any other way,” Randy says flatly but I don’t miss the twitching of his right eye.
“Is it just me or was that creepy?” Megan asks once he’s gone.
“We’ll keep an eye on him. I’ll ask security to keep someone in your area and try to get ahold of our legal partner to talk about next steps.”
“Gabby, I don’t think I can work with him anymore. He lied, he’s volatile…he should be terminated.”
“I understand. I still need to review this with legal, your leadership and Jack. I’ll be in touch soon on next steps and if he does anything inappropriate give me a call right away.”
Unconvinced, she sighs but agrees. “Okay, but I don’t like this.”
I go back to my office and place several calls. The problem is that it’s after 6PM. Ted won’t answer his work issued cell phone after 5PM and our legal partner isn’t answering either. Jack answers and wants Randy fired but knows we can’t do that without legal approval. I promise to keep him updated and call as soon as I have an answer.
I sit back in my chair and groan. What a day. A bottle of wine and a bubble bath are calling my name. Once I email legal with my notes and recommendations that’s exactly what I plan to do.
I’m almost finished when I’m startled by a knock on my door.
“Didn’t mean to scare you. Can we talk?” Lucas asks.
“Not now. This has been a crappy day and I need to finish something time sensitive.”
“I’ll wait,” he insists.
“Unfortunately it’s going to be a while. I’m dealing with an employee situation and I have no idea when I’ll be done. No offense but talking about us after what happened today…” I trail off. “I can’t do this right now.”
He bows his head and shoves his hands in his pocket. Seconds later his lifts his head with a determined expression and tells me, “I’ll give you space for tonight. Come tomorrow we’re going to talk.”
Arguing with him will go nowhere. I don’t have the energy so in order to end this interaction I agree. “Fine, tomorrow. Right now I need you to leave.”
He hesitates but finally does as I ask.
I sigh in relief and finish my email, attaching the blank correspondences from Randy
along with my notes. In the process I accidentally double-click inside the blank email from Randy and am suddenly horrified.
Die bitch die.
White font hid the message that now shows up because it’s highlighted. Holy shit.
I open the other messages one at a time. All have similar messages.
I pick up my office phone and dial security at the front desk. There’s no answer. Damn it. As I’m scrolling through my contact list to call the head of security my office door slams shut.
My head jerks up and I make eye contact with Randy.
Shit.
“Hi, Randy, I’m on the phone. Would you mind waiting outside for a minute?”
Expressionless, he slowly stalks forward. He’s not calling my bluff; he doesn’t even care if I’m on the phone or not which is a million times worse.
Die bitch die.
Why couldn’t I have figured out his message earlier? Better yet, why didn’t Jack approve the security recommendation to put a panic button on my desk?
“How can I help you, Randy?”
“Women are at the center of everything that goes wrong in my life.”
A pulsating vein visibly protrudes at his temple and his entire face is so red it’s on the verge of purple. In contrast I’m sure I’m white as a ghost.
“First there was my mother who told me I was stupid my entire life. Then my wife leaves me for another fucking woman. Now I have an incompetent female manager breathing down my neck and you threatening to take away the only thing I have left.”
Recalling my training for situations like this I try remaining calm and attempt to put time back into the situation.
“Today was about getting information Randy. Right now I think we should—”
“Wrong. Just like everyone else you’ve made up your mind. I’m gonna be out of a job, blackballed from getting another.”
Words won’t matter at this point. I’m trapped behind my desk and he’s getting closer.
“Without this job I have nothing,” he snarls.
I open my mouth to scream but don’t get the chance. Randy’s hand slams into the side of my face, knocking me to the ground. Disoriented, I scramble to get up but Randy’s quicker. He yanks me up by my hair and slams me against the whiteboard by my shoulders.
I’m completely fucked.
Chapter 19
Gabby
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Today’s not my day.
I rip another wad of paper towels from the dispenser in the second floor bathroom and attempt to sop up the coffee some jackass in the stairwell just caused me to spill down the front of my suit, scalding my chest and legs, that by some miracle missed my groin. Ironic really, seeing as I won’t have a need for that region for the foreseeable future.
Had I not been heads down in a text while descending the stairs I might have seen the prick coming, and if Ki hadn’t called at that exact moment I would have gone after him too. Probably for the best given the mood I’m in.
“You accuse her of cheating after ending things, and then you screw her on her desk as a reminder that she’s yours? Jesus, when you commit to being an idiot you go all in,” Ki says into the phone followed by a low whistle after I give him the highlights of my colossal fuck up with Gabriella. “At least you’re thorough.”
Yes, thoroughly screwed.
Doubting her was a serious lapse in judgment. Gabriella isn’t the type to claim she’s falling in love only to jump into bed with another man. Yet believing she’d be malicious enough to do that was easier than giving her the trust she deserves. Not only did I manage to belittle what was going on between us, I insulted her integrity by accusing her essentially of sleeping around and behaved like a Neanderthal.
How the fuck did I get things so wrong?
“I warned you not to listen to those girls.”
Yes he did. But instead of taking his advice I let a few comments from Summer spur my jealousy and dictate my actions.
Emphasis on dick.
“Spare me the lecture, Ki.”
“Want me to hop on the train this weekend? I can help you smooth things over with Gabby or supply you with enough alcohol to forget your sorrows. Either way you’re guaranteed a good time.”
“Appreciated, but I’ll pass.”
I give up on saving my stained shirt and exit the bathroom. I feel like shit, might as well look the part too.
“Not to rub salt in the wound but why did you think this Mike guy was after her?”
Good question.
They have a familiarity; that I’m certain of after her revelation. But I could have sworn I caught him watching her with infatuation or maybe desire on several occasions. What else could it have been? Adoration? Fondness?
I rub my hand over my face and inwardly groan as I jog down the stairs. Whatever history they have I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions. Once Gabriella lets me apologize I’ll have to figure out if I owe Mike an apology as well. He’s perceptive and today I was anything but discrete. I’d be shocked if he didn’t know something happened between Gabriella and me and by no fault of hers.
“Like you said, I’m an idiot.”
Ki’s voice cuts in and out as I step into the garage.
“Let me call you later. Reception in here is shit and I’m going to look at condos.”
“Not the time to buy,” is all I can decipher.
“I’m not throwing in the towel because she’s pissed at me. It’s going to work out,” I say with confidence that I don’t really have.
“Can’t hear you. Call…tomorrow.”
“Cheers.”
I toss my stuff into the back of my car and shut the door before climbing into the driver’s side. Clutching the steering wheel I stare out the windshield at the otherwise empty lot. If I didn’t have plans to meet Gabriella’s brother Leo in half an hour I’d wait outside her door and beg for her to hear me out. Of course the benefit of going tonight is that Leo won’t know what a jerkoff I’ve been yet and with any luck I’ll find a place of my own before that happens.
Working on autopilot I put the key in the ignition, start the car and reverse from my parking spot, driving toward the exit at the far end of the garage. I round the corner near the exit and take note of a car with the driver’s side door still open but with no one around.
What the hell?
Pulling alongside the other car, I shift into park and get out, scanning the area as I hesitantly walk closer. It’s abandoned. No one’s around and no one’s inside the car, though the engine is still running.
Who the hell would be in such a hurry that they couldn’t be bothered to shut off their car?
Goosebumps spread across my skin as I backpedal to my own car door, suddenly overcome with fear.
The asshole that barreled into me in the stairwell and the only other person inside besides Gabriella, that’s who.
Fuck.
I slam my car door and take of running, replaying Gabriella’s words. I’m dealing with an employee situation. Pulling out my phone I call her office but it goes straight to voicemail. I try her cell phone but it simply rings.
Shit.
Inside the vestibule I race up the stairs, taking them two at time. My feet slamming against the cement eerily echo in the stairwell, encouraging me to go faster. With every flight I climb a different scenario takes hold, each one more frightening than the last. Is it Gabriella he’s after? Does he have a weapon? Christ, why didn’t I question the man’s presence or his behavior before now?
When I reach our floor I pray that I’m overreacting, but a crash at the end of the hall tells me otherwise.
If even one hair of hers is out of place I’ll kill him.
I sprint down the hallway and burst through the door to her office, horrified by
what I see.
Large hands grip Gabriella’s neck, pinning her to the whiteboard behind her desk.
“Let her go,” I demand, as he lifts her off the ground and slams her against the wall.
The man doesn’t respond and I don’t stop.
Charging forward I drive my shoulder into his side and wrap my arms around his waist, tackling him to the ground. His head ricochets off the floor and I waste no time taking advantage of my position by driving my fist into his face.
“You son of a bitch,” I roar, punching him again when I recognize he’s the same guy who threatened Gabriella weeks ago.
Fueled by some unknown rage the man begins violently thrashing. He swings at my face, connecting just under my eye. I’m thrown off of him but where he outweighs me I’m more agile and am able to get to my feet quicker.
I sidestep, placing myself directly in front of Gabriella’s limp body. Sweat drips off the man’s face that’s so red it verges on purple. With unfocused movement he swings at the air and stumbles forward, mumbling something about women. He steadies himself against Gabriella’s desk and reaches into his back pocket. Not willing to see what he has I lunge forward and strike.
The crunching of bones resounds and blood drips from his nose as my fist delivers a final blow precisely at the same time a security guard runs into the room. I’m so furious I question punching him too.
“What’s going on?”
“Where the hell were you?” I shout while confirming the man is unconscious.
“Doing rounds,” he defends himself.
I jerk my head towards Gabriella’s attacker and rush to her side. “Call 9-1-1 and secure him.”
Crouching down I check her vitals. She’s breathing but barely conscious. Instinctively, I scoop her limp body up in my arms, cradling her like a child and cup her cheek. Ever so gently I tap the side of her face as her eyes roll in the back of her head.
“Gabriella…love.”
I tap her cheek lightly again and her eyes flutter.
“Stay with me,” I plead.
Conflict of Interest (Employee Relations Book 1) Page 25