Page 65 of Something Worth Keeping
“That’s right. Temporary employment until you demonstrate improved behavior and team cooperation skills. The letter outlined the specific requirements.”
Across the room, Silas had gone very still. Rook grinned.
“I see.” Julian kept his voice pleasant. “Unfortunately, I never received that letter. I moved residences approximately five weeks ago.”
“You didn’t update your contact information with Human Resources?”
“I wasn’t aware I needed to, given my employment had been terminated.”
“Your employment wassuspended, Mr. Purdy. There’s a significant difference.”
“Not according to my final paycheck, which listed ‘termination’ as the reason for my payout of accumulated leave.” Julian had reviewed that document thoroughly. “But this is ultimately irrelevant, as I’ve accepted a permanent position elsewhere.”
Silence stretched across the line.
“You found other employment?” Patricia’s tone suggested that it was somehow an inappropriate response, but then Julian remembered she often sounded like that when talking to him.
“Yes. A position as a research and analysis consultant. It’s a permanent contract, with substantially higher compensation, and I’m working with colleagues who value accuracy over politeness.” Julian smiled at Silas, who nodded approvingly. “Thank youfor calling, though. It’s been illuminating.”
“Mr. Purdy, I don’t think you understand the implications of…”
“I understand perfectly. You suspended me for being correct about provenance documentation, then expected me to return under probationary status to prove I could be a ‘team player.’ Which, translated from administrative euphemism, means you wanted me to stop identifying errors that made you look incompetent.” Julian’s voice stayed level, pleasant even. “I’m not interested.”
“This is extremely unprofessional.”
“No, Ms. Holbrook. Suspending your most qualified archivist without pay for accurately identifying documentation failures is unprofessional. Expecting me to return on probation after failing to properly notify me is unprofessional.I’m simply declining a position that no longer serves my interests. I believe I am meant to say something like have a nice day, but I really don’t care if you do. Goodbye.”
He ended the call.
Rook burst out laughing. “Holy shit. Did you just quit a job you were already fired from?”
“Technically, I was suspended, not fired. She was very insistent about the distinction.” Julian set his phone down. “Though her failure to properly document my employment status could create interesting legal complications for the library’s HR department.”
“Have I told you how much I like you today?” Rook said. “You’re vicious, and you do it with a smile.”
The shadows in the corner of the room shifted. Cillian materialized, moving with that preternaturalstillness that meant he was agitated. “I was watering Gerald. I was only gone five minutes. Who upset you?”
Julian wanted to grin. Cillian had developed a strange affection for his plant. Apparently, none of the guardians had ever tended a plant before, and Cillian was fascinated by it. There was even talk of getting more plants so Gerald wouldn’t get lonely, despite Julian being unsure that was even possible for a succulent.
“No one upset me. I’m perfectly fine.”
“Your heart rate increased. Your cortisol levels spiked.” Cillian’s eyes had gone fully black. “Who was on the phone?”
“My former supervisor. She called to inform me I could return to work on probationary status after she failed to properly notify me of the board’s decision four weeks ago.”
Cillian’s form blurred slightly at the edges. “She suspended you without pay, failed to communicate reinstatement terms, and now expects you to work in a diminished capacity?”
“Yes, but it’s irrelevant because I…”
“She should be visited.” Cillian’s voice dropped an octave. “She needs to be shown the error of her administrative failures.”
Silas shook his head. “We don’t ‘visit’ people for poor workplace management.”
“She caused Julian distress.”
“She caused Julian mild annoyance,” Julian corrected. “There’s a significant difference.”
“You said her name with the same tone you use for threat assessment targets.”
