Page 54 of My Secret Snowflake
Deeply hidden.
“I’m not going to report to Hank,” I say.
Kevin stands and leans over the desk, putting his two hands at the edge next to me, like he is getting ready to do a push-up. Leaning over me.
He is a big guy.
It is so physical. I shrink back.
“Are you threatening me?” he asks.
My mouth opens. His posture is menacing, and he’s using his body like a bully.
I straighten my back. “No. I’m just stating a fact.”
“If you think that’s going to influence my decision, it won’t.”
This conversation has gone off the rails. What is happening here?
“I doubt Hank will want to report to me either,” I say.How to save this?“I’m looking forward to the challenge, and I appreciate the confidence you’ve shown in me.”
He settles back in his seat. “See that it’s warranted. How’s the phishing campaign going?”
“Good, so far. We have a high compliance rate. Very few people have clicked on the emails.” Other than Hank. He clicked on two.
“That’s great,” he says. “And are you going to the ice-skating event this afternoon?”
“I signed up, but I was going to work on the investigation.”
“The investigation is resolved. Didn’t Raphael tell you that? You should definitely go. Xavier is paying for this, and we need to show up. He takes that stuff seriously.”
“Okay.”
He gestures with his head towards the door. The meeting is over.
I leave and retreat to a stall in the bathroom, which is basically the only private place available because of the open layout of the bullpen. I lock the door and lean against the stall wall.
That was disturbing, especially when he leaned over me. So much for gender sensitivity training. What is going on here? Why did Raphael leave so suddenly? Did Kevin lie about hiring a white hat hacker?
I call Raphael’s number. Voicemail. I leave a message, asking him to call me and explain what’s going on.
Is this why Raphael said he didn’t want to tell me what he’d found? I need to figure out whatever clues he left.
Was Kevin threatening to promote Hank if I continue the investigation?
I’m going to do what is right. My industry reputation is more important than this job, ultimately.
Let him promote Hank. I’m a way better security analyst than Hank. Did Kevin keep me because he thinks I won’t investigate and I’ll back down easier—that he can bully me? Like he tried to at our meeting this morning? He obviously doesn’t realize I used to handle drunk people at my dad’s bar.
But it’s also going to look terrible on my resume if I am only interim deputy CISO for a short period. It would look like I wasn’t competent. I rub my forehead. Have I just been played?
My temple is throbbing.
Sebastian said his boss advised him to socialize so people come to him if they’re in a tight spot. I’m in a tight spot. I text him.
Me:Raphael left. Can we meet for lunch at StuffIt? 1 p.m.
Chapter thirteen
