Naomi did not take it.
Claire pushed it closer.
“Take it.”
“No.”
Claire's frustration exploded.
She flicked the cloth toward Naomi.
It struck Naomi lightly near the shoulder and fell to the floor.
The lobby became silent.
Completely silent.
Even Claire seemed momentarily surprised by what she had done.
Naomi slowly looked down at the cloth.
Then she raised her eyes.
Something in her expression had changed.
Not anger.
That would have been easier for Claire.
Naomi looked at her with the calm concentration of someone memorizing evidence.
Claire sensed it and immediately became defensive.
“Oh, please. Don't be dramatic.”
Naomi said nothing.
“I handed you a cloth.”
“You threw it at me.”
“I tossed it.”
“You threw it.”
Claire crossed her arms.
“Fine. I tossed a cloth toward an employee who was refusing to do her job.”
“You still haven't asked what my job is.”
“I don't need to.”
That sentence hung in the air.
Naomi tilted her head slightly.
“You're certain?”
Claire looked Naomi up and down.
“Yes.”
The answer was immediate.
And that was the moment Naomi stopped feeling disappointed.
Instead, she became curious.
“How certain?”
Claire stared at her.
“What?”
“How certain are you that you know who I am?”
Claire gave an exaggerated laugh.
“Is this some kind of joke?”
“No.”
“Then stop wasting my time.”
Naomi glanced toward the elevators.
The display above the center elevator showed the number three.
Descending.
She knew who was inside.
The board chairman, two directors, general counsel, and the outgoing interim CEO had been scheduled to meet her in the lobby at 9:00.
They were early.
Naomi looked back at Claire.
“You still have time.”
“For what?”
“To reconsider the way you're speaking to me.”
Claire laughed.
Actually laughed.
Loudly.
“You're threatening me now?”
“No.”
Naomi's voice remained calm.
“I'm giving you an opportunity.”
Claire leaned toward her.
“Listen carefully. I don't know what agency sent you here, but you are not going to stand in the middle of my lobby and lecture me.”
“Your lobby?”
Claire opened her mouth.
Naomi continued.
“Do you own the building?”
“Don't be stupid.”
“Then it isn't your lobby.”
“It is my workplace.”
“Mine too.”
Claire froze for half a second.
Then she smirked.
“Oh, really?”
“Yes.”
“What department?”
Naomi looked toward the elevator display.
Two.
“Executive management.”
Claire burst out laughing again.
This time there was cruelty in it.
A few employees shifted uncomfortably.
Claire pointed toward Naomi as if inviting everyone nearby to appreciate the joke.
“Executive management?”
Naomi said nothing.
“You?”
“Yes.”
Claire placed a hand against her chest theatrically.
“Oh, that's good.”
Naomi watched her.
Claire shook her head.
“You know what? I've heard enough. Give me your supervisor's name.”
“Why?”
“Because I'm going to make sure you're removed from this building.”
Naomi nodded slowly.
“That may be difficult.”
“Why?”
The elevator display changed.
One.
Naomi looked directly into Claire's eyes.
“Because the person with the authority to remove employees from this building is about to arrive.”
Claire smiled.
“Perfect.”
The elevator bell chimed.
The polished doors slid apart.
Four men stood inside.
The first was Richard Halston, chairman of the board.
He was sixty-eight, silver-haired, and known throughout the industry. Beside him stood Daniel Pierce, grandson of one of the company's founders and a longtime board member. Behind them were general counsel Martin Ellis and interim CEO Stephen Caldwell.
Claire recognized every one of them.
Her posture changed instantly.
It was almost remarkable.
Her shoulders straightened.
Her angry expression disappeared.
Her voice softened.
“Mr. Halston!”
She turned toward the elevator with a bright professional smile.
“Good morning.”
Richard Halston stepped out.
He saw Claire.
Then he saw Naomi.
Then he saw the cleaning cloth on the floor.
His expression changed.
“Dr. Brooks.”
Claire's smile remained frozen.
Naomi turned toward him.
“Good morning, Richard.”
Richard approached Naomi and extended his hand warmly.
“We were coming down to meet you.”
Naomi shook it.
“You're early.”
“So are you.”
Daniel Pierce stepped forward.
“Welcome to Halston & Pierce, Dr. Brooks.”
“Thank you.”
Martin Ellis nodded.
“Everything is ready for the announcement.”
“Good.”
Claire was no longer smiling.
Her face had lost color.
She looked from Richard to Naomi.
Then from Naomi to the cleaning cart.
Then down at the cloth.
Her mouth opened.