Chapter 6: Notice

On Monday morning at ten, Dani walked into the lobby of the Halloway tower with eleven engineers behind her.

Imogen had been very clear about the rule.

The notice had to be written.

It had to be handed over in person at the company's main office.

Someone had to witness it.

The glass lobby was packed.

Every employee in the building was crossing the marble toward the atrium for the Monday all-hands.

They carried coffee in one hand and a badge in the other.

On the sidewalk outside, a camera crew from Market Desk was setting up for a segment on Preston's new chapter.

Dani stepped up to the turnstile and tapped her badge.

The light turned red.

"I'm sorry, ma'am," the guard said, and meant it. "You're not on the list."

"I know," Dani said. "Glenn."

Glenn stepped up beside her with his own badge swinging.

The turnstile blinked green for him.

"Hold the gate," Glenn told the guard, pleasantly.

Then he and the engineers walked around the desk and stood in a half circle behind her.

All the way across the lobby, the crowd began to slow down.

Then the elevator doors opened, and Preston came out in a navy suit, with Tatum a half step behind him holding a tablet.

He saw Dani.

His face did not change, but his walk did.

"Security," he said, in a bright voice for the audience. "This woman is a former employee and is not authorized to be here."

"I'm not here as an employee," Dani said.

She pulled the envelope from the backpack and held it up.

"This is a written notice under Section Three of the license between Dani Kehoe and Halloway Systems."

She raised her voice for the back rows.