The Two Sided Coin: Log 2: The Interview

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Arriving at Keller Industries Julian finds Hope in a sticky situation.

"I say again, I truly have no idea how this happened. I used my authenticator this morning and put it in my purse again. I have not used it since then." Hope explained calmly.

"I am sorry, Hope." Mrs Marks said from behind her desk. "This is a very serious matter regarding the safety of confidential information. The fact that your authenticator was the one used points otherwise. If you have evidence that suggest someone went into your purse then perhaps I could do more. So far the evidence against you is pretty substantial."

"Only the fact that my authenticator was used? I would call that fairly thin. Plus, it could have been removed from my purse at some point. Have security feeds been checked for any evidence of that?"

"If it had happened to someone else, I would be having the exact conversation with them. I am sorry Hope. The best I can do is place you on leave until this is sorted out. I do not want the worst for you in this kind of situation. It just doesn't look good as we try our best to make sure sensitive documentation is not leaked."

Julian sighed, his mother had warned him that this might happen, "Is that honestly our best course of action, Mrs. Marks?  Miss Abbot coordinates my schedules, I'd honestly be lost without her."  Not for the first time, Julian wished that he had been born with telepathy- then this whole mess would be nothing more than an afternoon distraction.

"Yes. Even if Hope is innocent, it still needs to be investigated throughly. It would look very bad from other staff and your shareholders if she continues to work in this sort of situtation." Mrs Marks signed a bit as she leaned forward. "Seeing as Hope is your Personal Assistant it would look even worse for your image Mr. Keller. I would suggest that Hope takes a few days off as we continue to look into the matter further. In the meantime we will see if you can find a temporary PA to keep your affairs in order. I cannot play favorites even for you Mr. Keller. That would bring legal down on all of us and I would rather play this by the books until it is all sorted."

"Even then there would have to be sufficient evidence to suspend me." Hope interjected. "I doubt just the use of my authentication would be enough. Especially when there might have been opportunities for others to get their hands on it."

"I would advise not to say how easy it is for others to get their hands on your authenticator. It would imply that you would easily leave it out for anyone to take. And that, Miss Abbott, is carelessness." Mrs. Marks looked at Hope, not with anger but with concern. "Like I said before, it is the companies rules to put you on leave until this is sorted. The investigation is on going with a member of the IT department and Legal. I will be in contact with you both once I have learned more and what actions will be taken in the event." And with that Mrs. Marks had nothing else to say.

"And I do advise you not to twist my words, Mrs. Marks." Hope's eyes darkened and her her voice sharpened just a touch. "I merely wish to insure that all avenues are explored in this investigation and that the easiest solution is not seen as the most obvious one. I will head home now, but I will sure to stay in touch myself as well." With those words Hope started to gather up her tote, coat and hat.

"Is it within my rights as Vice-President of East Coast Operations, or whatever, to order a private investigation?"  Julian put his hand on Mrs. Marks'  desk, palm down, leaving it there as he met her eyes, trying to get a read on what she was thinking.  "I'd think that, <i>if</i> Hope was guilty, it would be possible that she'd have collaborators...and..." he let the implication sink in as he drew his hand away.

Mrs. Marks looked up at Julian with a puzzled look on her face. "I don't know if I am authorized to say about to order for a private investigation. It is possible. I don't see any problem with it; however, you may want to involve the lawyers just in case. They know more about that than I do." She gave Julian a gentle smile. "But I can see what I can do."