Chapter 6 - The Man in the Gray Suit|
At noon, a man in a gray suit arrived at the Sterling Grand carrying a leather briefcase.
He introduced himself as Daniel Reed, a corporate operations representative scheduled to meet with Richard Cole.
The manager greeted him with a smile so warm that Noah barely recognized the man who had threatened to fire him that morning.
"Mr. Reed! Welcome. We've prepared the executive suite and arranged lunch in the private dining room."
Daniel shook his hand.
"Thank you. I'm here to review the monthly operating report and meet a few department heads."
"Of course. Everything is ready."
Richard led him toward the elevator.
As they passed the staff corridor, Daniel noticed Victoria sitting near the heater.
He stopped.
"Is that woman a guest?"
Richard's smile tightened.
"An unauthorized visitor. We're dealing with the situation."
Daniel looked at Victoria.
"Are you all right?"
"I'm fine, thank you."
"Do you need assistance?"
Richard interrupted.
"Mr. Reed, we shouldn't delay your meeting over a minor issue."
Daniel glanced at the wet coat draped over Victoria's shoulders.
"Ten minutes won't ruin a financial review."
Richard's jaw flexed.
He forced a laugh and continued toward the elevator.
Victoria watched them leave.
Noah appeared beside her.
"That was the corporate visitor?"
"Apparently."
"Richard has been preparing for his arrival all week."
"Then perhaps the report is more important than he wants people to know."
Noah looked puzzled.
Victoria changed the subject.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"If you could change one thing about this hotel, what would it be?"
Noah considered the question.
" I'd give employees a way to report problems without worrying about losing their jobs."
"Anything else?"
"I'd stop measuring success only by how much money a room earns. A hotel is supposed to provide safety and comfort. If we forget the people who make that possible, we're just selling expensive beds."
Victoria studied him.
"You sound like someone who should be running a hotel."
He laughed.
"I used to think so."
"What happened to that ambition?"
"Richard happened. And then I started thinking maybe I wasn't as good at management as I believed."
Victoria shook her head.
"One bad manager doesn't determine whether you're capable."
"Maybe not. But he can make it difficult to remember."
She looked toward the elevator.
"Did you know the hotel has a very low employee retention rate?"
Noah frowned.
"How would you know that?"
"I've been paying attention."
He smiled faintly.
"That's one way to put it."
Before she could answer, the elevator doors opened.
Daniel Reed emerged carrying a thick folder.
He looked concerned.
"Mr. Bennett, could I speak with you privately?"
Noah glanced toward Richard's office.
"Is something wrong?"
"Possibly. I was reviewing the operating report, and there are discrepancies in the staffing expenses."
Richard appeared behind him.
"Mr. Reed, I can explain those figures."
Daniel closed the folder.
"I'm sure you can. But I want to hear from the employees, too."
Richard's expression became rigid.
"Employees don't have access to the financial information."
"They have access to the work that produced it."
Daniel turned to Noah.
"Have you noticed any discrepancies in staffing or payroll?"
Noah hesitated.
He knew what answering honestly could cost him.
Then he remembered Elisa's unpaid hours, Denise's false accusation, and the family that had been left in the cold.
"Yes," he said. "I've seen several."
Richard stepped forward.
"That is an irresponsible accusation."
Daniel raised a hand.
"Mr. Cole, please."
He turned back to Noah.
"Can you provide examples?"
Noah nodded.
"I have photographs of the towel inventory records and copies of the shift schedules. I can also connect you with employees who have reported unpaid overtime."
Richard's face turned pale.
Daniel opened his folder and made a note.
"Thank you. I'll need those records."
As Noah walked away, Richard caught his arm.
"You're making a serious mistake."
Noah looked down at the hand gripping him.
"Let go."
Richard released him.
Then he leaned close.
"You have no idea who you're dealing with."
Noah met his eyes.
"Neither do you."
Across the corridor, Victoria quietly watched the exchange.
Daniel Reed was not simply a corporate visitor.
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He was the company's senior compliance director.
And he had arrived with authority to suspend a general manager's access to the hotel's financial systems.
