Page 12 of Nefarious
Noelle clicked through to a slide that listed the players at the company. “As you know, we couldn’t make this company run without the people. I’d like to give credit to some of our key personnel who have been instrumental in advancing our position in the market.”
It was always the same people. Nobody from the technical department ever got a mention. It was as if the company truly believed that they thought up a product and it materialized out of nowhere for the sales staff to market. Val never brought this up, however. She liked it better when the board forgot Dane even worked here.
Noelle paused on the recent history she couldn’t ignore: the firing of Ted Rasmussen. “As you are all aware, I am replacing the former CEO under considerable media attention. I appreciate your confidence. Be assured that we are taking the matter very seriously. We’ll be training all of our employees to recognize and report sexual harassment.”
Val stifled a yawn. Ted had been a legitimate pervert who came from a culture where men in power could openly terrorize the women in their employ, and the corporate blue dogs would turn a blind eye. Ted wasn’t a cautionary tale so much as relic of another time. He hadn’t learned to adjust to a modern workplace, and Val found it very easy to exploit his sexual appetite until he ceased to be useful. Until Val needed to make a place for Noelle.
It was only a matter of time before someone complained about his wandering hands. And Val had led the charge, knowing which women would come forth to make sure the allegations stuck. It was easier since it was all true.Good riddance.
Noelle’s lip curled as she added, “Hopefully Ted’s fate will serve as a warning that this behavior will not be tolerated.”
Val appraised her for any other signs she might have had recent first-hand knowledge of unwanted sexual advances. Geraldo could be insistent, Val knew, but might he have come right out and threatened Noelle? Was she protecting his secret to avoid the controversy?
At last the slide show ended. Noelle took questions from the attendees and answered them with fluency. Val had to give her credit. She’d taken to the position.
Maxwell spoke up and mentioned that Noelle had failed to project the revenue for the fiscal year. “We need to be able to plan. Could you please get these numbers to us by next week?”
Noelle blushed with the realization that she’d completely dropped the ball on one of the main interests to the board. “Of course. I’ll have it ready by Monday. If nobody else has anything—” She paused to make sure nobody piped up. “That will conclude our meeting.”
Chairs pushed away from tables, and people left alone or in pairs, talking under their breaths about various things—none of which had anything to do with the meeting. Noelle sat in her chair, looking slightly defeated but fighting to regain her confidence.
Val moved over one seat to be closer. “That was a good presentation. I thought you did a wonderful job showing how we’ve remained competitive in the market despite the recent scandal.”
Noelle didn’t acknowledge Val and kept scrolling through her notes.
Val tried another tack. “You know, it’s not a big deal to get them the fiscal projections a week late.”
That did the trick. Noelle lifted her eyes. “Look, I know you helped me to get this job, but I can’t honestly figure out why.”
“You’ve got a great track record. And we’ve known each other a long time.”
“Not exactly. We knew each other a long time ago. And we weren’t exactly friends then.”
“True. But we weren’t exactly enemies.” Val pursed her lips in thought. “Can you tell me why the cold shoulder? Have I done something to offend you?”
Noelle closed her laptop and looked Val directly in the eyes. “It’s nothing personal against you. I’m simply baffled by your decision to follow Dane out here. After everything, why would you continue to associate with him?”
Val raised one eyebrow. “Why did you?”
Noelle’s shoulders relaxed. “Valid question. Honestly, this was too tempting a promotion. How could I pass up on the chance to advance my career like this?”
Knowing she wouldn’t likely get Noelle to confide in her so soon, Val couldn’t resist asking the only question she wanted the answer to. “Why did you quit?”
It was too soon. Noelle gathered her papers together without another word.
Val started to stand but threw out like an afterthought. “Oh, I’m planning to bring a donut truck around the front of the building this afternoon as a social activity for the new interns. Do you think we could make it something for the whole company? My treat. It would be a good way to trick the other staff to come out and introduce themselves to our interns. In just a week, we’re going to start the one-on-one mentorship. Wouldn’t it be good for our experts and interns to mingle before that?”
Noelle squinted an eye but apparently couldn’t find an angle she could disagree with because she finally nodded. “That sounds like a wonderful idea actually. I’ll send out an invitation as soon as I get back to my desk.” She slid her laptop into her bag. “And thank you.”
“It’s no big deal. Donuts aren’t that expensive.”
“No, I mean thank you for reaching out to me. Maybe I’ve been a little hasty in my judgment of you. Dane on the other hand—I think someone needs to keep an eye on him.”
Val shook her head. “You don’t need to trouble yourself with Dane. The company shackled him pretty tight.” Nobody needed to know that those shackles were mostly imaginary. With a bit of incentive, Val had coerced the former CEO into giving Dane just enough freedom so he wouldn’t want to leave, while keeping him dissatisfied enough that she’d become his sole source of amusement in this wasteland. “He can’t cause you any trouble. Well, nothing you can’t handle, right?”
Noelle smiled. “I handled it once before. I suppose I’ll handle it again.”
Despite the dim lighting in the meeting room, Val could make out a flush creeping across Noelle’s cheek. She chuckled. “He is after all just a man.”
