Roman continued.
“The review began because twelve employees supposedly resigned for personal reasons.
Seven had spotless performance histories until their final month.
Then each suddenly accumulated disciplinary reports.”
Mrs.
Bellamy gave a small, almost pitying smile.
“Managing domestic staff is not as simple as reading personnel files.”
“No,” Roman said.
“Which is why I read the access logs too.”
Caleb closed his eyes.
Ava understood before Roman explained it.
The reports had patterns.
Roman tapped the folder.
“Every one of those employees was written up after a private meeting with you.
Within forty-eight hours, Caleb accessed staff-only areas outside his normal security rounds.
After that, the employee either resigned or was recommended for termination.”
Mrs.
Bellamy’s voice hardened.
“Coincidence.”
“Possibly.”
Roman turned another page.
“Then I found Trina.”
Ava’s stomach tightened.
Her first morning came back to her with perfect clarity.
You’re replacing Trina.
Did she transfer?
She learned the difference between working here and belonging here.
Roman looked at Ava.
“You asked about her when you started, didn’t you?”
Ava nodded.
“Caleb said she transferred.”
“No,” Roman said.
“She was pressured into resigning.”
Caleb took a step backward.
Roman’s eyes moved to him.
“Stay where you are.”
Caleb stopped.
Mrs.
Bellamy’s composure finally began turning into anger.
“Trina was unstable.
She made accusations because she disliked supervision.”
Roman removed a folded sheet of paper.
“She made one accusation.”
He placed it beside the visitor authorization.
“She said you used Mr.
Rourke to frighten employees who challenged you.”
Mrs.
Bellamy laughed once.
“That woman would say anything to get money.”
Roman’s face went still.
“She asked for no money.”
Bellamy said nothing.
“She asked that nobody else be treated the way she was.”
Ava looked at Caleb.
His eyes were no longer on Roman.
They were fixed on Bellamy.
