“What happened?”
CHAPTER 6
“Twice, I was told I needed more executive presence.”
Victoria looked at him.
“What does that mean?”
He shrugged.
“Apparently my work speaks for itself, but my face doesn't.”
Victoria didn't laugh.
Marcus studied her.
“Why are you asking?”
“Curiosity.”
“You're not maintenance, are you?”
Victoria paused.
Marcus smiled.
“I've been here eleven years.”
“What gave me away?”
“You don't move like someone who's afraid of being noticed.”
That was the first time Victoria smiled genuinely.
“Maybe I'm just confident.”
“Maybe.”
He returned to his lunch.
Victoria's phone vibrated.
Mark.
Board meeting moved to 4:00.
Then another message.
Acquisition documents finalized. You are officially CEO.
Victoria looked at the screen.
Four hours remained.
She could reveal herself.
Or she could keep listening.
She chose listening.
At 1:15, she entered the employee relations office.
A young HR analyst was sorting complaints.
Victoria introduced herself as a temporary administrative contractor.
The analyst barely looked up.
“Put those in the blue folder.”
Victoria saw the labels.
Closed.
Pending.
Confidential.
One folder was marked:
Keller — Do Not Escalate.
Victoria stopped.
“What's that?”
The analyst froze.
“I shouldn't talk about it.”
“Why?”
“Because Richard said so.”
“Richard Keller?”
The analyst nodded.
Victoria pointed at the folder.
“How many complaints?”
“Seventeen.”
“Against him?”
“Yes.”
“What happened?”
The analyst lowered her voice.
“Most were dismissed.”
“Why?”
“Not enough evidence.”
Victoria looked at the folder.
“Seventeen people made complaints.”
The analyst nodded.
“And none had enough evidence?”
“No.”
Victoria stared at the folder.
She finally understood why people were afraid.
Complaints weren't disappearing.
They were being buried.
At 3:45 p.m., Victoria entered the boardroom.
The room contained twelve executives.
Richard Keller.
Sandra Miller.
The CFO.
General Counsel.
Three outside directors.
Several senior vice presidents.
And the chairman of the board.
They were waiting for the new CEO.
Victoria entered last.
Everyone looked up.
The chairman stood.
“Ms. Matthews?”
“Yes.”
He smiled.
“Welcome to Pinnacle Solutions.”
Richard Keller stood too.
His face changed.
He looked as though he had seen a ghost.
Sandra stared at Victoria.
The color drained from her face.