Chapter 8 - JESSICA’S FIRST LIE
Elaine separated each employee for questioning.
Jessica was taken into a glass conference room.
At first, she minimized her role.
“I only asked standard verification questions.”
Elaine placed a transcript in front of her.
The audio recording had captured every word.
Jessica’s question:
Where did you get this?
Her comment to a coworker:
She probably found it.
Her laugh when Daniel called Martha a warming-center visitor.
Jessica’s face turned red.
“I was nervous.”
“You were amused.”
“I didn’t think he would hurt her.”
“You helped create the environment that told him she was safe to humiliate.”
Jessica looked through the glass at Martha.
The older woman sat while a medic examined her ribs.
Alexander stood beside her.
“I need this job,” Jessica whispered.
Elaine’s expression remained level.
“So did every customer you mocked for looking poor.”
Jessica began crying.
It was not yet remorse.
It was fear.
She admitted Daniel had encouraged staff to profile customers.
He kept a private list of what he called “low-value disruptions.”
People wearing construction clothes.
Delivery workers depositing cash.
Elderly customers who took too long.
Immigrants who asked for translated documents.
Daniel told employees that premium clients should never wait behind them.
Jessica had copied the system because it helped her receive better shifts.
She named two other employees.
She described altered service logs.
Elaine wrote everything down.
When Jessica finished, she asked:
“Will Mrs. Robinson forgive me?”
May you like
Elaine closed the file.
“This is not a forgiveness interview.”
