Page 42 of Saving Veronica
Sarah stepped up next. “Finn, I’ve set up a sign-up sheet for the workers that would like to present to you on Friday. I thought it’d be better organized than doing it randomly. I’ve sent an e-mail to everyone to come see me to sign up.”
“Good, I didn’t think of that. So, I can just call off the names from the top down.”
“Or, randomly, whatever way you wish. This should give you an idea of how many people took you up on your offer. And, I have to say, I think it’s a brilliant idea to include everyone in this opportunity.”
“Thanks, Sarah.” He watched as she left, then settled behind his desk. “What can I do for you, Deb?” He asked the head of HR, then indicated for her to take a seat.
Deb sat and said, “When you came to me last week about the non-fraternization policy, I thought you were crazy, but I wrote it up anyway. It made me remember how several people used to date, and when they broke up it was hard on co-workers, especially when the former couple worked in the same division. I went to William and Eric with your idea, and they agreed with it. I’ve since sent everyone a copy to sign. As of this morning, I’ve received everyone’s back, except for two.”
“Really? Let me guess, Simon and Janis?”
“Yes, and no.” Deb sighed. “Yes, Simon turned his in, no Janis hasn’t as of this morning.”
“Who’s the other one?”
“You.”
“Oh, shit.” Finn looked through the papers on his desk, and pulled a copy, then immediately signed it and handed it over. “Sorry, I don’t want anyone to think I don’t adhere to the rules around here.”
“Thanks, Finn. Do you want me to mention it to Janis? Or will you take care of it?”
“Could you?” Finn turned puppy-dog eyes onto the older woman, who laughed.
“I’ll stop by her office on the way back to mine. Don’t know if it’ll do any good, but I’ll mention it.” She went to stand, but there was a sudden commotion out in the main office, and together Finn and Deb stood in his office doorway, and watched as Janis stood in front of her assistant’s desk and made a scene. They slowly walked closer, so they could hear what was being said.
“I told you, Laura. You can’t enter that contest. Finn was just saying that to get you lower-class workers’ hopes up. He won’t listen to your presentation. So, with that said, I need you to help me with mine.”
Before Lorna could say anything, Finn spoke from directly behind Janis. “You have one minute to get away from your assistant, or you’re fired, Ms. Lorenzo.”
“Wait your turn,” Janis said rudely over her shoulder and continued with her assistant. “You’re not good enough to enter the contest, Laura. It’s catered to more important people like me.”
Finn rolled his eyes and when Lorna looked at him, he gave her a subtle nod.
“First, Janis, for the ten-billion time, my name is Lorna, not Laura. And the contest is open to anyone interested. I’m interested and I’m entering. There is nothing you can say or do to stop me.”
“I’ll tell Finn you’re being insubordinate and fire you. You won’t be the first one I fired for no reason, and you sure as hell won’t be the last. You need to understand, Laura, that I get what I want, when I want. I need to win this contest. How can I ever get him to marry me if I don’t work side by side with him?”
“But, what about the non-fraternization rule?” Lorna frowned at her, she tried not to study the man standing behind Janis, but his anger was coming off him in palpable waves.
“Pff, that’s nothing.” Janis waved her hand through the air, like swatting a bug. “I can get around that. Besides, once he puts his ring on my finger, I won’t be working here anymore, so it’s really a moot point.” She leaned her hip on Lorna’s desk and inspected her perfect nails. “This is just between the two of us, but we went out to dinner last night and we had a good laugh about all you losers wanting to enter the contest. He told me it was only a formality. But I’m a shoe-in for the contest.”
Deb placed her hand on Finn’s chest to hold him back. She leaned up and whispered in his ear. “This isn’t the Marine’s, Finn. You have to keep your cool and be politically correct. As much as I want to rip her hair extensions out, you can’t be mean.”
“I’ll try, but she’s spouting lies. I never took her to dinner. Do I have grounds for firing her right here, right now for lying?”
“No, but I was in the meeting last week. You stressed several times that if anyone tried to coerce another employee not to enter, or to do the work by themselves, they would be fired. That’s what I heard her do to Lorna. Twice. For that you can fire her.”
“Thank god,” Finn whispered, before he stood to his full six foot three and used his best Dom voice. “Ms. Lorenzo!”
“What!” Janis snarled back, scrambling to her feet when she noticed Finn standing there. “Oh, Finn. What do I owe the honor of you being on my side of the office?”
Finn wanted to throw up from the sweetness in her voice. “You’re fired.”
“What! You can’t fire me. On what grounds?”
“You telling Lorna that she can’t enter the contest, that she had to do your work for it. Deb witnessed it. I specifically said at last week’s meeting that anyone who tried to prevent anyone from entering the contest would be fired. You’re fired.” He paused as he watched her sputter, and then he added for all the other employees who had gathered around them to hear. “And for the record, I never took you to dinner last night and discussed the contest. I was in Helena having dinner with a friend.” The way he said it, he implied it was with another woman, he hoped Patch would forgive him if he ever found out.
Luckily, Janis took it the way he intended and tried to approach him, but Deb stepped forward just then. “I’ll wait for you to clean out your office, then we can walk down to my office together to do your exit interview.”
