Page 9 of Storm Warning
A notification popped up on Nick’s monitor. He leaned forward and opened it, keeping his expression neutral as video filled the display.
The timestamp read Saturday, 8:45 pm. The angle showed all four terminals at the front desk. Terminals one, two, and four were empty.
And at Terminal three, fingers flying over the keyboard with practiced speed, sat Victoria Evans.
She glanced around, then bent to her work with visible purpose. After several minutes, she straightened, smoothed her skirt, and walked away.
Zach, can you confirm Lena’s location at that time?
Already did. Security badge tracker shows she was on break in the staff cafeteria from 8:30 to 8:55, continuous. No gaps. Confirmed with visual.
And ID 1178?
Used at Terminal 3 for the login. Then at Terminal three again at 10:23 pm the same night, and at 7:14 am on Sunday. All times when Lena’s badge shows her off-property or at different terminals.
Nick pulled up the system logs from David, cross-referencing timestamps. Every deletion, every broken block, traced back to sessions where ID 1178 logged in at Terminal 3—and where Victoria Evans appeared on camera.
Not just a ‘mistake’. Deliberate sabotage, with an attempt to frame a trainee for it.
He looked up at Victoria, who was watching him with growing wariness.
“Ms. Evans, I want to give you an opportunity to be honest with me.” Nick kept his voice level, professional. “Is there anything you’d like to tell me about the reservation system? Any… unusual activity you might have noticed?”
Victoria’s expression hardened. “If you’re referring to Lena’s incompetence, yes, I have plenty to say about that. The girl is unsuitable for this position.”
“In what way?”
“In every way!” Irritation flooded through Victoria’s rigid facade. “She questions everything, thinks she knows better than I do how things should be run. She has no respect for authority or protocol. And frankly, sir, she never should have been hired in the first place.”
Nick raised an eyebrow. “Why is that?”
“Because Emma Vann—our HR manager, who is equally incompetent—didn’t properly vet her.” Victoria leaned forward. “Lena was fired from her last job for theft! She was arrested. There were newspaper articles. It’s all in her file.”
He punched a button on his desk phone. “Michael, please pull the hiring paperwork for Lena, the front desk clerk. I’d like to see it immediately.”
“Yes, sir. It’ll be on your screen in a minute,” Michael responded.
“And please pull up Emma Vann’s file as well, including her hiring statistics.”
It’s about time someone listened to me!Victoria’s smug thought crept into his mind.
“And you brought this to Emma’s attention?” He leaned back in his chair.
“Of course I did! Multiple times! But she hired Lena anyway, ignoring my far more experienced assessment.” Victoria’s hands gestured sharply, her composure abandoning her now. “This is the kind of poor judgment that’s been plaguing this resort. Incompetent HR, substandard trainees, and management that refuses to listen to those of us who do know what we’re doing.”
“Hmm, so you believe we are incompetent? Hold that thought. Here’s Lena’s file now.” He gripped the mouse, scanning down with quick, practiced eyes. There were indeed newspaper articles included.
The hiring notes from Emma Vann were meticulous: full background check completed, all references checked, criminal record clear, newspaper articles provided by Lena herself as part of her explanation of the employment gap. Emma’s assessment:‘Candidate showed integrity by disclosing situation. Investigation skills and attention to detail during her efforts to clear her name are impressive. Strong hire for a detail-oriented customer service position. Recommend.’
Nick looked up at Victoria, still radiating righteous indignation.
“You’re right,” he said. “The newspaper articles are in the file. Did you read past the arrest headline to the exoneration?”
Victoria blinked. “I… the arrest was enough…”
“Lena was exonerated—there was no theft—and received a formal apology. All documented in the file Emma Vann compiled.” Nick’s voice hardened. “So either you didn’t bother to read the complete file before judging her, or you read it and chose to misrepresent the facts. Which is it?”
Color rose in Victoria’s cheeks. “The point is that Emma’s judgment is questionable at best.“