Chapter 4 - The Training Nobody Mentioned
Daniel Ruiz agreed to speak with Stanton’s investigators and, later, with Monica.
The CPR course six weeks earlier had not been a routine wellness event.
Stanton’s insurer had required it after reviewing emergency-response deficiencies at several facilities.
Martin attended.
So did Jenna.
So did every senior manager in that conference room.
They practiced chest compressions.
They opened a training AED.
They were tested on the emergency sequence:
recognize cardiac arrest,
call 911,
begin CPR,
use the AED.
Martin scored ninety-six percent.
“He knew,” I said.
Monica closed the training roster.
“He knew the procedure.”
“That’s what I mean.”
“Intent is a separate question.”
I was learning to appreciate people who refused to make dramatic claims before evidence supported them.
Martin’s attorney argued that he believed I was experiencing a panic attack.
That explanation had one serious problem.
Jenna had told him my lips were blue.
Nathan had told him I wasn’t breathing.
Martin still physically prevented people from reaching me.
Stanton’s audit committee meanwhile began examining the inventory numbers.
They found my $400,000 discrepancy in less than three days.
Then they found more.
The adjustment pattern reached back almost two years.
Inventory was repeatedly increased in the accounting system near quarter-end, then partially corrected after financial reporting deadlines.
It made warehouse assets look healthier than they actually were.
The audit committee expanded the review.
Martin sent a written statement claiming his credentials had been shared among operations administrators.
IT logs made that explanation possible.
His username had indeed been used from multiple computers.
That meant the fraud could involve someone else.
It also meant I had been right to request an audit.
Stanton placed me on paid medical leave.
Monica advised me not to resign.
I wanted to.
Every time I imagined returning to that conference room, my implanted defibrillator seemed suddenly enormous beneath my skin.
Sophie disagreed.
“If you quit, does Martin get your office?”
“Probably not.”
“Good.”
She thought for another second.
“But don’t quit because he wants you scared.”
“You’re twelve.”
“I know.”
“You’re supposed to say things about TikTok and algebra.”
“Algebra is terrible.”
I laughed for the first time since the cardiac arrest.
Then Monica called.
Stanton had located the archived incident report from Evan Price’s death.
May you like
Martin Hale’s name appeared on it.
He had been the senior manager present there too.
