Executive

…82

Dr. Barnaby was reading the report, in a palpable silence no one dared to interrupt. Around the table, the full Agency staff was present, Claire and Richard included. Handing a client the final investigation report was an emotionally charged event; they all knew that, while Alex was just learning.

Dr. Barnaby finished reading and quietly placed the report on the table. Then he removed his glasses and rubbed his forehead for a while, not saying one word. When he looked up again, he seemed defeated.

"How could I have been so oblivious to all this, although it was happening right under my nose? Maybe I am too old for this," he concluded bitterly.

"Let's not forget that you are not to blame for any of it," Tom said. "These were deceiving, conniving people, who worked hard to make sure you didn't have a clue."

"But it's my company," Barnaby said, his frustration building. "I should have known."

"And because it's your company, if I may suggest," Steve intervened, "we should all be focusing on fixing things right now. Blaming yourself will never yield any benefit."

"I guess you're right… I just struggle accepting that this entire conspiracy could build to this level without showing any sign. I should have seen something; I should have noticed something was out of order."

"But you did," Tom said, "and when you did, you came to us."

"Um… right," he said hesitantly, resuming the rubbing of his forehead and staring at the report. The team respected his choice for a few minutes of silence, while he weighed his options.

"All right," he said, snapping out of it, in what they had learned to be his usual instant recovery. "We have a lot of work to do today. Miss Hoffmann?"

"Sir?"

"Would you be so kind and help me deal away with these bastards? I want them out of my company today."

"Absolutely," Alex said. She had never terminated anyone, but she was not about to complain. She just hoped she would be able to handle it correctly.

"Good. I'll have my legal counsel draw up the papers while we drive over there. Mr. Isaac?"

"Shoot," Tom said, ready to take notes.

"While we're handling the terminations and communicating with the authorities, would you please work with your team and Leesman & Koch to issue a recall and a communication to the press announcing the changes in leadership?"

"Will do," Tom said. "Anything else?"

"Yes. I will need your team to work with me for a little while longer, to define a strategy that will bring the stock price back up where it belongs. I can't retire now… I can't leave my company when it needs me the most. We need to communicate that to the press."