Thomas went very still. Not from shock, exactly. From the specific sensation of someone having done their homework on him before he had time to understand that he was a subject of research. He didn’t ask how she knew about Maya.
The fact that she did was information enough about what kind of person he was dealing with. "And if I don’t sign," he said. Evelyn’s expression didn’t change. "I make one phone call tonight. By morning, your employment record contains a security violation, unauthorized access to a restricted floor, removal of sensitive materials. That record follows you. Every warehouse, every facility management company, every background check. You won’t work in this city in any capacity that requires a security clearance or bonding." She said it without cruelty, which was almost worse than if she had said it with some. "I do not want to do that, but I need you to understand that I will." Thomas looked at the paper on the desk.
He thought about Maya’s last inhaler, which was down to its final doses. He thought about the medical bill that had come in last week for the ER visit 2 months ago, the one he'd been paying off in $50 installments. He thought about the fact that he had not technically seen anything and that whatever he had seen, he had no interest in weaponizing. He thought about 11 seconds of silence, which was how long it took him to make a decision that he understood was not really a decision at all.
Thomas picked up the pen and signed the paper. Evelyn took the document back without looking at it and placed it in the drawer. Starting tomorrow night, she said, you'll continue your regular route, but two nights a week you'll come up here first. I’ll leave specific instructions.
There will be tasks, logistics, occasionally physical assistance if I require it. You will not discuss this arrangement with anyone including your supervisor. She stood, which was a signal that the conversation was over. "Do you have questions?" "One," Thomas said, standing. "What do I tell my supervisor when he notices I am spending time on floors outside my route?"
"Ron Bridges," Evelyn said. Tell him you’ve been assigned to a special facilities audit. I’ll have the paperwork in the system by tomorrow morning. Thomas nodded at once and turned toward the door. "Mr. Miller."
He turned back. Evelyn was looking at him with an expression he couldn’t quite categorize. Not warmth, but something that acknowledged briefly that what had just happened was not ordinary. "The medication plan activates in forty-eight hours," she said. "Your daughter’s prescription will be covered before the end of the week." Thomas walked back to his cart in the hallway.