employees are getting threatened.” Michael’s voice had risen and he was leaning towards Larry in an aggressive posture.
Larry was looking around from side to side to gauge if anyone was listening to their exchange. He flapped his arms up and down a few times signaling Michael to keep it down. He glanced back and forth one more time then leaned in to speak in a hushed tone. “Look, I get it. You are upset and Graves’ behavior was inappropriate. But I am uncomfortable with this one, Michael. Do you realize what you are asking of me? I have a family to provide for too. I have almost thirty years in the books and I don’t want to find myself involved in something that could jeopardize my position and tenure.” He looked around again, even shifting his rotund weight to check behind himself. Then he turned back to Michael. “Between you and me, a few years back, there was a similar situation and it got really ugly.”
Michael simmered down. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, there were allegations through all the correct channels of HR and lawyers that Graves had threatened a former employee and the guy disappeared.”
“What are you talking about?” Michael was incredulous. He screwed up his face and leaned back in his chair.
“I’m talking about a name that never gets uttered within the confines of the bank anymore. Ten years ago, before you joined the bank, there was an analyst who did the reporting for Graves, back when he was just a manager. Apparently Graves had fudged some numbers to make bonus but the analyst called him on it. So, allegedly, Graves threatened this guy, Ray Thomas, with bodily harm.”
“I don’t believe this for a second,” Michael protested. “I have worked for Graves for a long time now and he has always been a great leader and fair. This is a one-time incident which is why I want to deal with it because I feel it is out of his character. He probably just lost his cool but it still needs to be dealt with. Graves would never hurt someone. Besides, he’s a little guy. He can’t weigh more than 150 pounds soaking wet.”
“Believe it, Michael. Graves is a very determined man.” Larry sat up straight and looked around again. “This Thomas guy suddenly resigned right before they were supposed to meet face-to-face with the attorneys and HR. Like hours before the meeting. And then two days later his wife reported him missing. Nobody ever found him. Did he pick up and leave without saying a word? Is he floating in the Hudson River? Nobody knows, Michael. The police investigated Graves and all the parties involved in the company but there was no evidence so everything was dropped. But I can tell you that those who were working at the bank back then still give Graves width berth. Why risk it?” Larry wiped a bead of sweat from his wrinkled forehead. He leaned back and took a deep breath as if leaning over his massive belly had cut off his oxygen supply.
Michael took it in. Could this be true? The Derrick he knew was not a killer. Or a mobster-type to threaten people. He was a shrewd businessman, sure. But not a criminal. “Well this is a lot to think about. I appreciate your honesty, Larry.”
“No problem. Just do me a favor. Don’t talk about this to anyone. Not what I told you. Not even the fact that I met with you. Please. I’m begging you.” Larry was the one pleading now. He still looked so edgy and rose to leave. “Thanks for the coffee.” He turned to walk away but stopped. “And Michael? Take care of yourself.” It was more of a warning than a goodbye. Michael just nodded and Larry left the coffee shop. He sipped his coffee again and watched two young professionals at a table nearby. They seemed more intimate than just co-workers sharing a coffee. He took another sip of his coffee and decided what he needed to do.
Chapter 12
“It’s your turn to say grace, Chloe. Why don’t you begin so we can eat this scrumptious meal your beautiful mother
Larry was looking around from side to side to gauge if anyone was listening to their exchange. He flapped his arms up and down a few times signaling Michael to keep it down. He glanced back and forth one more time then leaned in to speak in a hushed tone. “Look, I get it. You are upset and Graves’ behavior was inappropriate. But I am uncomfortable with this one, Michael. Do you realize what you are asking of me? I have a family to provide for too. I have almost thirty years in the books and I don’t want to find myself involved in something that could jeopardize my position and tenure.” He looked around again, even shifting his rotund weight to check behind himself. Then he turned back to Michael. “Between you and me, a few years back, there was a similar situation and it got really ugly.”
Michael simmered down. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, there were allegations through all the correct channels of HR and lawyers that Graves had threatened a former employee and the guy disappeared.”
“What are you talking about?” Michael was incredulous. He screwed up his face and leaned back in his chair.
“I’m talking about a name that never gets uttered within the confines of the bank anymore. Ten years ago, before you joined the bank, there was an analyst who did the reporting for Graves, back when he was just a manager. Apparently Graves had fudged some numbers to make bonus but the analyst called him on it. So, allegedly, Graves threatened this guy, Ray Thomas, with bodily harm.”
“I don’t believe this for a second,” Michael protested. “I have worked for Graves for a long time now and he has always been a great leader and fair. This is a one-time incident which is why I want to deal with it because I feel it is out of his character. He probably just lost his cool but it still needs to be dealt with. Graves would never hurt someone. Besides, he’s a little guy. He can’t weigh more than 150 pounds soaking wet.”
“Believe it, Michael. Graves is a very determined man.” Larry sat up straight and looked around again. “This Thomas guy suddenly resigned right before they were supposed to meet face-to-face with the attorneys and HR. Like hours before the meeting. And then two days later his wife reported him missing. Nobody ever found him. Did he pick up and leave without saying a word? Is he floating in the Hudson River? Nobody knows, Michael. The police investigated Graves and all the parties involved in the company but there was no evidence so everything was dropped. But I can tell you that those who were working at the bank back then still give Graves width berth. Why risk it?” Larry wiped a bead of sweat from his wrinkled forehead. He leaned back and took a deep breath as if leaning over his massive belly had cut off his oxygen supply.
Michael took it in. Could this be true? The Derrick he knew was not a killer. Or a mobster-type to threaten people. He was a shrewd businessman, sure. But not a criminal. “Well this is a lot to think about. I appreciate your honesty, Larry.”
“No problem. Just do me a favor. Don’t talk about this to anyone. Not what I told you. Not even the fact that I met with you. Please. I’m begging you.” Larry was the one pleading now. He still looked so edgy and rose to leave. “Thanks for the coffee.” He turned to walk away but stopped. “And Michael? Take care of yourself.” It was more of a warning than a goodbye. Michael just nodded and Larry left the coffee shop. He sipped his coffee again and watched two young professionals at a table nearby. They seemed more intimate than just co-workers sharing a coffee. He took another sip of his coffee and decided what he needed to do.
Chapter 12
“It’s your turn to say grace, Chloe. Why don’t you begin so we can eat this scrumptious meal your beautiful mother
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