Conference room 102 was ideal for what they had to do. No glass walls and a secondary side entrance that led directly to the parking lot. Ideal for visitors who did not hold the security clearance to be allowed to visit any part of the building.
"Who do you want to start with?" Dr. Barnaby asked.
"I'd say we start with Kramer, then Prescott, then Walker, so we won't keep our friends waiting," Alex replied, trying to smile.
Two familiar faces were seated at the table; seeing them triggered bad memories for Alex, despite their polite smiles. Lieutenant Reyes and Detective Holt were ready to take custody of Kramer and Prescott, as soon as they stepped through the door. Barnaby's legal counsel was also present.
Dr. Barnaby picked up the phone and called his assistant.
"Moira, would you please bring Audrey Kramer to conference room 102?"
"Yes, sir. On my way."
Minutes later, a confident Kramer stepped through the door. Her confidence vanished in a split second, on seeing Alex in the room, her face turning a sick, wrinkled, grayish pale.
"Take a seat," Alex offered. Kramer complied. Alex pushed a stack of papers in front of her.
"Ms. Kramer, you are hereby terminated, for many reasons I don't think I need to spend time reiterating, do I?"
A defeated Kramer looked at her feet. "No, I understand," she whispered.
"I am glad you do. Please be reminded you have signed a non-disclosure agreement and this termination does not waive that NDA. Any questions?"
"No," Kramer said faintly.
"Then we're done here," Alex said, after briefly seeking approval from Barnaby.
Lieutenant Reyes stood up.
"Audrey Kramer, you are under arrest for the attempted murder of Alex Hoffmann, multiple counts of fraud, insider trading violations, and other charges. Anything you say can and will be used…"
The words faded away as Reyes escorted Kramer out the side door.
Barnaby picked up the phone again.
"Moira? Could you please bring Angela Prescott to conference room 102?"
Prescott entered the room with a self-confidence that did not dissipate.
"What is this about?"
"Ms. Prescott," Alex said, "we are terminating your employment, effective immediately. You have failed in your role in a multitude of ways, including the failure to stop and report the numerous dysfunctions in senior leadership. Do you have any questions?"
"We? Who's we? You're nobody! You can't terminate me! This is ridiculous," she said, standing up. "I will not take this bullshit!"
"No problem, ma'am," Holt intervened, "I will clarify it for you. Angela Prescott, you are under arrest for framing Alex Hoffmann for drug possession, for poisoning Alex Hoffmann, for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, and for multiple counts of fraud. You have the right to remain…"
His voice also faded, while a feisty Prescott seriously, yet unsuccessfully, opposed arrest.
"Ready to continue?" Dr. Barnaby said.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Alex smiled. It made her feel good to see the bastards pay for what they'd done.
Walker entered the room next, letting worry show in his eyes for a glimpse, then stiffening his back in an aggressive demeanor.
"I'm listening," he said, pulling out a chair.
"Mr. Walker, I am terminating your employment, effective immediately. I will have a security officer accompany you to your office to get your personal belongings. The officer will then escort you to your vehicle. You will leave the premises and not come back. I strongly suggest that you do not engage in any libel or slander of the company's name, products, practices, or employees. Should you decide to do so, we reserve the right to seek compensation to the extent the law allows, and file an official complaint with the district attorney's office for repeated abuse of employees and for making threats about their safety. The officer will escort you home and secure your passport, as you will need to remain available for the ensuing SEC investigation. Questions?"
"This company would have been nothing without me, you hear?" He started his usual high-volume, threatening tirade. "Nothing!" He slammed his fist on the table. "You don't know what you're doing, or who you're playing with!"
"Mr. Walker, do I need to call the police?"
It was as if a bucket of ice water was poured on his head.
"No," he said quietly and left the room, accompanied by a security officer.
"The nasty ones are over," Dr. Barnaby said. "Let's get this over with."
Dustin Sheppard came in next. He sat down, assessing the situation in his usual, calm demeanor.
"Yes?" he whispered his question.
"Mr. Sheppard, we are terminating your employment, effective immediately," Alex said. He interrupted her, before she could continue her well-rehearsed speech.
"Why?"
"You have a deep contempt for people. You shouldn't be around people, you hate them too much, and you show it. Plus you are ineffective as a leader."
"Bitch…" Sheppard spat through curled lips. "I knew you were trouble from the day I first saw you."
"Happy to hear that," Alex said coldly.
The final name on the list was Robin Maxwell. She came in the room, visibly scared to see the faces around the table.
"Robin, we are letting you go, effective immediately," Alex said.
"But why?"
"As a human resources professional, you shouldn't enable the abusive behavior of any leader, no matter how senior they are. You should report abuse whenever you see it, and make sure it doesn't happen again."
"I don't understand," she whimpered, "what have I done wrong?"
"You forgot the human part of human resources. You need to care about people to do this work, and you obviously don't. You're, simply put, not qualified for the job," Alex concluded.
…84
The neatly landscaped backyard was the setting for a celebration. Tall glasses were ready to be filled, waiting in an orderly fashion on a silver tray. A bottle of champagne, tied with a huge red ribbon, was dripping condensed water on the sparkling white tablecloth. The crowd, the entire Agency staff, was standing around Dr. Barnaby, chatting lively.
"I think it's time to pop this cork," Tom said. "Steve, please do the honors."
"My pleasure," Steve said, unwrapping the bottle. A loud pop marked the opening of the vintage Krug Brut champagne, accompanied by cheers from everyone.
Dr. Barnaby raised his glass.
"To all of you, wonderfully courageous, incredibly resourceful, and obstinately dedicated people, the best friends I have ever had! You saved my company. You have given my life back to me. I am forever in your debt," he said, saluting them with a head gesture, "and I thank you!"
Glasses were raised, to meet his, and clinked cheerfully on contact with one another.
"For you, Miss Hoffmann, a small token of my appreciation," Dr. Barnaby said, handing Alex an envelope.
"Thank you very much," she said, blushing. She opened the envelope, and took out an invitation. "Wow," she said, "thank you!"
"What is it?" Tom asked.
"It's an invitation for two to spend a month at the new Club Maxine, on Twilight Cay, in the VIP suite. Thank you, Dr. Barnaby, this is amazing!"
"But there's a catch," Dr. Barnaby said. "There will be no VIP suite on Twilight Cay for at least two more years. It hasn't been built yet. I can't leave my company now, so my real estate development plans have been put on hold for a while. Nevertheless, Club Maxine will be built, you have my word. And it will have the privilege of having you as its first guest, if you'll accept my humble invitation," Dr. Barnaby concluded.