Exposed (Rosato & DiNunzio #5)(23)

“You too.” Bennie turned to the older man. “And you are—”

“Ray Matewicz, VP and Operations manager.” Ray was shorter and heavier than Todd, maybe in his fifties, with small hazel eyes behind wire-rimmed glasses that were almost the same color as his grayish hair, which he wore in a short practical cut. His build was stocky, with a belly paunch that contributed to an overall lack of vanity, which Bennie liked. Like most operations types, he came off as strictly business, so she didn’t want to waste his time, since most of them thought that that was a lawyer’s reason for existence.

“Nice to meet you all. Should we get started?” Bennie pulled out a swivel chair closest to her.

“Sure,” Jason answered as they returned to their seats on the opposite side of the conference table, though he paused before he sat down. “Hey, I should have offered, you want coffee or anything?”

“No, thanks,” Bennie said, since that was the right answer. It was morning for her, but it was almost lunchtime for them. She slid a pen and a fresh legal pad from her messenger bag, but left her laptop inside. She wanted to make eye contact while they spoke, not be looking down at a computer.

Suddenly, the door opened, and they all turned. Bennie twisted around, surprised to see Nate entering the room, dressed in a light blue sweater and jeans, with an easy grin. Bennie didn’t need him here, but she hid her annoyance since she’d invited him, after all. “Nate, I didn’t know you were coming.”

“I wanted to drop in. Don’t mind me. I won’t say a word.” Nate pulled a chair from the table, turning to Todd and Ray, who shook his hand in turn. “Good morning, gentlemen. I’m Nate Lence, with Dumbarton. Just thought I’d sit in.”

Bennie assumed Nate finessed who he was so they wouldn’t get nervous, which was a good call.

Todd shrugged. “Sure, whatever, I’m Todd Eddington, and this is Ray Matewicz, my boss.”

“Great to meet you.” Nate took a seat just as Jason popped up with a professional smile.

“Nate, good to see you.”

“You, too. Proceed as if I’m not here.” Nate waved his hand dismissively, and everyone sat back down.

Bennie turned away, getting down to business. “Well, folks, you’re wondering what this is about. We need to discuss the termination of one of your reps, Simon Pensiera. But before we get into detail, let me understand a few things about your corporate structure.” Bennie shifted her attention to Todd. “Do you report directly to Ray?”

“Yes, as VP.”

Bennie turned to Ray. “And to whom do you report? The company president?”

“Yes. Mike Bashir.”

Bennie recognized the name from another of Dumbarton’s subsidiaries. “I know Mike Bashir from Joselton Ltd.”

“Right. He came from there. They make kids’ clothes.”

“Who made the decision to terminate Simon Pensiera?”

“I did.” Todd tensed.

“Is anybody required to approve that decision?”

“Mike Bashir. He rubber-stamps it.”

“How about with anybody at Dumbarton?” Bennie held her breath.

“No.”

“Do you keep anybody at Dumbarton informed of hiring and firing?”

“No.”

“How about payroll? Where does that come from? You’d have to take Pensiera off the payroll.”

“We do our own payroll and accounting.”

Bennie breathed a relieved sigh. So far so good. She avoided looking over at Nate and put him out of her mind. “How big is the Sales department?”

“I have ten reps under me.”

“And they all have different territories?”

“Yes, we’re national.”

“So you’re spread thin.”

“Understatement of the year.”

“Do you have accounts, as manager?”

“Yes, I kept some of mine as I got promoted. It makes up for the lost commissions. I kept my bread-and-butter, mostly in the area. I got tired of being a road warrior and I have a lot more paperwork as manager.”

“Okay, I’m here to try to understand the facts concerning Mr. Pensiera’s termination. Let’s start with—”

“Why?” Todd leaned forward, with a frown. “Why does this come up? What does this have to do with you, an outside lawyer?”

“Mr. Pensiera is claiming that you fired him to mitigate medical expenses for his daughter, Rachel, who has cancer.”

“That’s bull!” Todd raised his voice, his handsome face flushing under his fresh tan. “Are you serious? I mean, for real, what are you accusing me of?”

Jason interjected, “Todd, she’s not accusing you of anything. She’s here as our lawyer to tell us about the suit.”

“There’s a lawsuit?” Todd’s blue eyes flew open, incredulous. “Simon is suing me? What law says that I have to keep a rep who doesn’t do his job anymore?”

Bennie raised a hand, signaling for him to calm down. “I know this is unpleasant, but let’s get the facts on the table, then we can sort it out. That’s the quickest way to get us all back to work.”

Jason nodded. “Todd, please listen to what Bennie has to say.”