He seemed out of place. I asked him to leave. He refused. I called security. That's all.
Patricia reached across and pressed a key on the laptop. The footage played high-definition full audio. Brenda blocking the entrance. The comment about his skin. The word disgusting.
The bucket. The gray water arcing through the air. The heavy splash against Oliver's chest. And then her laugh. Loud.
Proud. Ugly. Brenda watched herself. The color drained from her face for the second time in three days. That was I can explain.
There's nothing to explain, Tom said from the corner. Flat final. We've spoken with three staff members. Their statements are consistent and they go well beyond Saturday. Patricia closed the laptop.
Brenda Hargrove, effective immediately. Your employment is terminated. Grounds gross misconduct and violation of the company's anti-discrimination policy. You will also be notified that Mr. Dawson's legal team is pursuing civil action against you personally for assault and racial discrimination. Brenda's mouth moved.
No sound. Her eyes were wet. Her hands were shaking. They gave her 15 minutes to collect personal items under supervision. She carried a single cardboard box through the showroom.
Every employee watched her pass. Nobody spoke. Nobody said goodbye. The glass doors closed behind her. The lock clicked.
30 minutes later, Janelle Perry was called to the same room. She walked in expecting the worst. A writeup. Maybe a termination for stepping outside during Saturday's incident. Instead, Tom Fielding stood up when she entered.
He pulled out a chair for her and said something she had never heard from anyone at that dealership. I'm sorry. No corporate language, no hedging. Two words and he meant them. What happened to you here was unacceptable.
We failed you. I failed you. And I want to hear everything. Not just Saturday. All of it.