Chapter 10
The silence in Conference Room B stretched thin and sharp, broken only by the low hum of the ceiling ventilation system. Liam looked at the three executives—people whose jobs involved spreadsheets, risk assessments, and quarterly budgets, far removed from the damp asphalt of 4th Street and the terrified faces of passengers pressing their hands to their glass windows.
"The integrity of this department," Liam said, his voice quiet but carrying an unmistakable edge, "was saved by a man who drove your buses for twenty years without a sick day, and by thirty strangers who didn't let him die in a ditch. You want to talk about protecting integrity? You should be paying his medical bills, not threatening legal semantics over a fundraiser."
Ms. Gable shifted uncomfortably, avoiding his gaze, while the legal representative stiffened, opening a leather-bound folder. "Mr. Vance, combative rhetoric will not alter municipal code. If Mr. Pendelton or third parties continue unauthorized campaigns using transit assets—"
"The fundraiser isn't unauthorized," a familiar voice interrupted from the doorway.
The heavy oak door swung open, and Officer Miller stepped into the room, accompanied by a woman Liam recognized as a local investigative journalist from the evening news. Miller wore her full uniform, her badge catching the harsh overhead light, lending an undeniable air of authority to the impromptu delegation.
"Officer Miller, this is a private administrative hearing," Director Harris said, his composure slipping slightly as he sat up straight.
"It's a public safety matter, Director," Miller replied calmly, stepping up to the mahogany table. "And as the lead responding officer on the Route 42 incident, I have a professional interest in how this agency treats its personnel. Furthermore, my department has verified that the public relief fund complies fully with state charitable solicitation statutes. There is no legal ground for the transit authority to interfere."
The journalist raised a small digital recorder, capturing the scene with quiet efficiency. "And my editors would be very interested to know if the transit authority plans to penalize a retired driver for medical emergencies while denying adequate health coverage," she added smoothly.
Director Harris’s expression darkened. The corporate armor had cracked, exposing the raw vulnerability of bad publicity. He exchanged a brief, tight-jawed look with the legal representative, who closed his folder with a sharp snap.
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"The transit authority," Harris said, his voice clipped and formal, "has no intention of hindering community support for Mr. Pendelton. Our primary concern has always been safety and proper procedure. We wish him a full recovery."
"Good," Liam said, standing up from his chair and smoothing the front of his green jacket. "Because the community is already taking care of the rest."
