GREEN STATUS

FIRST WEEK

8 15 AM Floor 50

Elma’s desk was still too clean It felt wrong not to have a sticky note stuck somewhere or a coffee ring on the edge But she didn’t complain She got to work

The vendor contract review was bigger than she expected Three hundred files Two hundred active vendors Fifty flagged for irregularities

Nathan had been right She hated it But she also liked the way the numbers started to make sense once she lined them up

By Wednesday she found the first real issue A catering company billing for 120 staff lunches when only 40 people worked in the department

She flagged it and sent it to Richard’s office

At 4 30 PM Richard called her in

You’re fast he said Reading her report

It’s simple math Elma said If you look

Richard leaned back I’ve had people in this role for years who missed this

Elma didn’t know what to say so she said nothing

Keep going Richard said But be careful People don’t like being caught

Elma nodded I understand

She did understand The same way she understood Joseph and Catherine People didn’t like losing control

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Friday 5 47 PM

Elma was the last one left on floor 50 The city lights were coming on outside Her eyes burned from staring at spreadsheets

Her phone buzzed Destiny

You alive Destiny texted

Barely Elma replied

Come down I’m outside We’re eating and you’re telling me everything

Elma saved her work and shut the laptop For the first time all week she felt tired in a good way

She took the elevator down and found Destiny leaning against her car

You look different Destiny said

Tired Elma said

No Different Destiny said Like you belong there

Elma didn’t answer She just got in the car

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Saturday 7 00 PM Destiny’s apartment

Destiny had ordered takeout and cleared the coffee table

So spill Destiny said passing Elma a plate What’s it like up there

Quiet Elma said Everyone watches what they say

And Richard

Fair but cold Elma said He doesn’t waste words

And Nathan

Elma paused He checks in He doesn’t hover

Destiny grinned Something going on there

No Elma said fast Then quieter I don’t know

Destiny laughed You’re terrible at this

Elma ate her food and changed the subject How’s the new job

Good Destiny said Better pay Better hours And I don’t have to deal with Catherine anymore

No one does Elma said

Destiny’s phone buzzed She glanced at it and frowned

What Destiny asked

News alert Destiny said Joseph Hayes has been charged with fraud and embezzlement Trial set for next month

Elma set her fork down So it’s really over

For them Destiny said For you it’s just starting

Elma looked at the screen Joseph’s mugshot stared back Cold angry unrepentant

She closed the phone

Let it be over she said

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Monday 9 00 AM Floor 50

Elma walked in to find a new folder on her desk Red tab Top secret

Nathan was waiting by the door

Richard wants you on this he said

Elma opened the folder Inside was a name she knew

Catherine Holloway

Plea deal details she said

Yeah Nathan said She’s trying to keep her pension You need to verify the assets she declared

Elma nodded She could do that

As Nathan walked away he paused

You’re doing good Elma he said

Thanks she said

Nathan smiled See you at lunch

Elma watched him go and sat down

The file was thick But she wasn’t scared of it anymore

She opened the first page and started reading

The war was over But the work had just begun