And everyone in the room seemed to know him.
Eli looked at the station manager.
“Who is he?”
The manager answered quietly.
“Mr. Reed owns the company that operates this station.”
Eli turned toward Samuel.
“You own this place?”
Samuel smiled.
“Not quite. But I have a controlling interest.”
Eli folded his arms.
“Then why were you sitting on the floor yesterday?”
“Because I became sick.”
“And nobody helped you.”
“You did.”
Eli looked uncomfortable.
“I didn't know who you were.”
“That was the point.”
Samuel explained that he had been considering selling the station to a private development group.
The proposal would modernize the building, but it would also reduce staff, remove several low-cost services, and turn part of the station into luxury retail space.
Samuel had been unsure whether the sale was right.
So he came to the station anonymously.
“What did you learn?” Eli asked.
Samuel looked at the empty water bottle on his desk.
“I learned that one employee saw a person before he saw a problem.”
Eli shrugged.
“Anyone should have helped.”
Samuel nodded.
“Exactly.”
Chapter Three — The Problem Nobody Saw
Samuel showed Eli the financial reports.
The station was losing money.
The proposed sale would solve the problem immediately.
But Eli noticed something strange.
“Why are maintenance costs so high?”
Samuel looked at him.
“Because the station is old.”
“No.”
Eli pointed to the figures.
“That's not it.”