Preston's smile disappeared. "You don't have authority to negotiate for other employees."
"I'm not negotiating for them. I'm asking whether you intend to pay them."
Grant folded his hands. He had expected a request for more money or a dramatic threat. What he found instead was a man who appeared willing to leave an easy personal settlement on the table because the document didn't address what happened to his colleagues. Grant seemed unable to imagine a motive that wasn't secretly a demand for a higher figure.
"Think carefully," he said. "You've worked here eleven years. This company has fed you and your daughter through difficult times. You have a mortgage. I know that. You're not in a position to start a fight you don't understand."
Evan felt the heat rise in his face. He pictured the kitchen table, Sophie's wooden pen holder, and the grocery list tucked beside the refrigerator. He knew precisely how much $9,860 could change the next three months, and the knowledge made his answer harder to give.
"Blackridge paid me for work I performed," he said. "That wasn't charity. I don't want to sign something that says the process was correct when thirty other people are still missing their wages."
Grant's voice went flat. "Then you leave me no choice. Effective at the end of today, you're suspended pending review of your conduct. Human resources will advise you of the terms."
Dana lifted her head. "I'll need the basis for that suspension stated in writing."
Grant glanced at her. "You heard his conduct."
"I heard questions about payroll," Dana said. "If there is a separate conduct issue, it needs to be documented accurately."
The exchange lasted only seconds, but Evan noticed the way Preston looked away. Dana had worked beside these men for eight months, and this was the first time she had disputed an instruction in front of an employee. Grant ended the meeting with an order for Evan to finish the current shift and wait for a formal notice.
Evan stood, thanked them for their time, and returned to the calibration bay. Mara saw his face as soon as he came through the door and followed him to his station. When he told her he had been suspended, she swore so fiercely that two technicians looked up from their benches. Evan asked her to lower her voice because the units in front of him still needed checking before the day's shipment.
"You're worried about the shipment?" she asked. "They just threatened your job."
"Both things can be true."
At four, he completed the last measurement, logged the reference conditions, cleaned the work surface, and returned the borrowed instrument to its proper rack. He collected his coat without making an announcement. Curtis caught him near the stairwell and held out a folded twenty-dollar bill, saying that everyone in the warehouse wanted to contribute something while he was away.
Evan closed Curtis's hand around the money. "Keep it for your children," he said. "You don't owe me anything. Just keep your records."