Chapter 9
While the public sentiment swelled into a wave of overwhelming support, the administrative machinery of the municipal transit authority remained a cold, bureaucratic fortress. On Monday morning, Liam received a formal summons to attend an internal review meeting at the central transit depot on Grand Avenue.
The building was a cavernous structure of poured concrete and tinted glass, far removed from the gritty warmth of the 4th Street terminal. Liam wore his green jacket over a collared shirt, feeling distinctly out of place as he walked past rows of gleaming, empty administrative offices.
He was led into Conference Room B, a windowless cube dominated by a polished mahogany table. Three officials sat at the far end: Director Harris, a man with steel-gray hair and an impeccably tailored suit; Ms. Gable, the head of human resources; and a legal representative whose expression was as blank as a legal pad.
"Mr. Vance," Director Harris said without preamble, gesturing to a single chair opposite them. "Please sit down. We’ve reviewed the dashcam footage from Tuesday night. Your actions prevented a catastrophic collision, and for that, the city owes you a debt of gratitude. However, we also need to address procedural protocols."
Liam sat down, resting his forearms on the table. He kept his voice level, refusing to be intimidated by the sterile corporate architecture. "Protocol? The man was having a heart attack at fifty miles an hour. Protocol was the last thing on his mind."
"Mr. Pendelton violated safety mandates by failing to report chronic health issues during his annual physical," the legal representative interjected smoothly. "By operating a municipal vehicle while medically compromised, he exposed the city to significant liability. Furthermore, unauthorized civilian intervention—namely, your commandeering of the vehicle—created secondary safety hazards that our insurance underwriters are currently reviewing."
Liam stared at them, disbelief sharpening his tone. "He almost died, and you're worried about insurance underwriters? He didn't report his health issues because he couldn't afford the treatment your basic health plan doesn't cover!"
Ms. Gable adjusted her glasses, her expression hardening. "Mr. Vance, we appreciate your passion, but transit operations are governed by strict regulations, not emotional appeals. Mr. Pendelton’s employment status is currently under formal review pending his medical clearance. We called you here not to debate healthcare policy, but to establish boundaries regarding public crowdfunding campaigns utilizing municipal branding and employee likenesses."
So that was it. The viral fundraiser, the media attention, the public embarrassment of a beloved driver being crushed by medical debt—that was what had really triggered this meeting. The board wasn't concerned about safety protocols; they were concerned about public relations.
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Liam leaned forward, resting his hands flat on the mahogany table. "You want me to take down the fundraiser?"
"We simply advise that any private collections be dissociated from official transit authority insignia," Director Harris said coolly. "To protect the integrity of the department."
