Evelyn said, “The board.”
Hannah thought of the old man in the rain.
Something in her face must have changed because Evelyn noticed.
“You’ve met Mr. Brooks,” she said.
Hannah stared.
“No, I haven’t.”
“Yes,” Evelyn said gently. “You have.”
The room became completely still.
Rosa whispered, “The old man?”
Evelyn nodded.
Luis sat back. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Hannah remembered the soaked coat, the paper cup of tea, the quiet way he had watched Holloway, the strange familiarity with the hotel’s history, and his statement that he used to carry bags there.
“Oh my God.”
Rosa covered her mouth.
Luis laughed once, stunned. “He let Holloway throw him out?”
“Mr. Brooks came to observe conditions without the usual protections of his title,” Evelyn said. “What happened to him is part of the investigation, but this is not a test you were expected to pass. Your rights and the accuracy of your records matter whether the person in front of you owns the hotel or has nowhere to sleep.”
Hannah felt tears sting unexpectedly.
“So he knew?” she asked. “When he came back for the umbrella?”
“Yes.”
“And he still didn’t tell me.”
“He could not without compromising the evidence hold.”
Rosa looked at the folder. “My notebook.”
Priya nodded. “We have recovered enough independent data to reconstruct your hours. Your phone photographs are also being preserved with your permission.”
Rosa’s eyes filled.
“The torn pages didn’t matter?”
“They mattered,” Priya said. “But they were not the only evidence.”
The corporate HR representative slid another document toward her. “Effective immediately, your schedule is restored to its prior level pending your preferences and medical restrictions. We are also arranging an occupational-health assessment for your wrist at company expense because there is evidence staffing practices may have aggravated a work-related condition. That does not predetermine any medical or workers’ compensation finding, but you will be seen promptly.”
Rosa lowered her face into her hands.
Hannah put an arm around her.
Luis looked at the uniform jacket.
“And me?”
Evelyn nodded toward it. “Your termination is rescinded. You will be paid for missed time. You are being reinstated for tonight if you are willing.”
Luis looked at the jacket, then at Evelyn.
“Why?”
“Because you were fired for refusing to carry out a demeaning removal that was not supported by a security need.”
He was quiet for a long time.
“What do you want me to do?”