Reading any fanfiction is a choice. To those readers who continue to read and follow each chapter in this story, I can't say it enough - Thank You.
Trigger Warnings:
Grammar errors are mine alone — notes at the end.
Chapter Title: I Don't Search, I Find
I Don't Search, I Find
With a delicate hand, Lauren adjusted her glasses on the bridge of her nose. "Admit it, Turtle Dumps, your logic is satisfactory, but you've painted yourselves into a box?"
"Who invited you, Lauren? And who in the hell are Turtle Dumps?" Mercedes barked.
"Ah, you four are the Turtle Dumps, Cedes you're the chocolate. Quinn vanilla ice cream. Dani, caramel, and Brittany the nut."
"And what does that make you?" Dani asked.
"I'm the fork that will clean the plate, caramel."
"Aren't you supposed to be at work?" Mercedes spat
"My carpal tunnel is bothering me," Lauren held up her right hand, showing off a well-worn wrist brace, "I called in sick."
"Lauren, you bought that at Walgreens. You've never gone to a doctor for carpal tunnel syndrome." Dani said.
"I'm aware of how my body functions. Thank you very much!" Lauren lifted her shoulder in a half shrug
"Ladies!" Quinn shouted, "I invited Lauren. Aside from added information, she provided on our four names, she's added a fifth. Plus, information that we should all hear. Lauren."
"Thank you, Quinn." Lauren answered with a nod "Well, someone filed sexual harassment charges against Pat Scholl and Aaron McGovern."
Mercedes wary of Lauren's sources, "And you know this how?" she asked. "Gossip from work? Or an informed source?"
"As do journalists, I keep my sources confidential."
"Oh, Hell, this nothin' but gossip. You don't got nothin'."
"No!" Brittany yelped, "I'd like to learn what information Lauren has." Brittany looks from Mercedes "Gossip is a social skill. It connects us as a group, co-workers, neighbors. In primitive times it was a survival skill. Mercedes when you quizzed me on Beyonce, you wanted me to confirm gossip. It wasn't my experience of who she is as a person."
"And who's girlfriend is the biggest office gossip?" Dani nudged Mercedes.
"Get real Mercedes. Step off of that moral high ground."
"Alright, Lauren, what do you have?"
"Aside, both were cozy with Dave. The men both had sexual harassment complaints against them."
"So?" Dani replied, "Artie Abrams did too. But he never left the company or moved away. KEI never retaliated."
"This is ridiculous! OK, they may have told an off-colored joke in front of Emma, or Teri. Sugar filed a complaint against Artie because he complimented her one too many times on her hair ribbons."
"Yeah, but that still makes for a hostile work environment, Mercedes." Dani reminded her co-worker. "We're taught to see it."
"It wasn't a woman. The men filed a complaint against another man." Brittany replied, "My information came from someone in authority, and it's not gossip. Two more men filed too. I can't explain it to you anymore."
"Damn, this is getting good." Lauren snorted. "Happy now, I called in sick."
"Is it possible Brittany that one of the two men left on our list is one name, you know?" Quinn asked.
"It is possible you could drop one name. But regardless of who's on the list, it doesn't imply that alternatives exist to who killed Dave. It's a person of interest list."
"Girl, I'm confused." Mercedes sighed.
"No, it's not Del Schumacher. So that leaves Mark Johnson." Quinn surmised. "My opinion is we need to add Hunter Clarington to the list."
"Who?" Mercedes and Dani replied in unison
"Hunter, he was the former flight attendant that serviced the Karofsky jet."
"Oh, the tall dude? He didn't last long with them, though."
"Guess that explains why I don't know him, never invited," Dani said, a brief annoyed expression crossed her face.
"I had Rachel ask Kurt. He said Hunter took the job after a post-merger layoff. It was temporary. Hunter works for the airlines, has military experience. And he lives at Adjacent. And at least socialized with Dave when he saw him at Scandals."
Lauren tilted her head, "But what is the motive? The guy is gay? Right?" she asked.
Mercedes looked heavenward, in disbelief, "You don't think there's abuse within the gay community, Lauren? You think crime is just perpetrated on us? We're not capable?" she sneered.
"No, I'm a fan of Orange. But those were mostly white-collar crimes."
"Uh, Crazy Eyes manslaughter."
"Involuntary manslaughter, Mercedes." Lauren said, "Listen, you're throwing shit up on a wall hoping something sticks. Your amateurs."
"Oh, and now you're the professional private eye, Lauren?"
"Not to brag, but I was the one who bugged the teacher's bathroom back in high school. Found out which teachers were banging each other."
Quinn's right eyebrow shot up, "That was you? They expelled Puck for it." She said.
"Yeah, he took the heat, but it was me." Lauren said with a deep sigh, "I appreciated his love at that point."
"So, what are you suggesting, Lauren? Bug the bathroom at Sandals?"
"Humph, no. You won't catch me walking on that men's room floor." Lauren removed a bag of Gummy candies from her pocket, "The way I see it, you have clues, and you've created a profile that Hunter fits. But, that doesn't mean whack job Johnson couldn't have committed murder." Shoving a candy in her mouth, "Look, they were all employees. KEI archives every keystroke they made on a company laptop for legal requirements."
"How do you know that?" Mercedes asked
"Remember Kendall Brennan? Yeah, they fired her for emailing login passwords to her home email address. Seriously, how stupid can you be?" Lauren rolled her eyes. "Anyway, IT scans every night. It took them less than 36 hours to escort her from the building. While security did that, Artie's crew was changing server passwords."
"How did you find out about Kendall, Lauren?" Quinn asked.
"Angry Hackers club." Lauren replied, "What you think tormenting Puckerman is my only hobby?"
"So, you will hack into KEI legal archive?" Dani questioned. "Didn't McGovern leave 5 years ago. Scholl left what three years ago? Are you planning to hack their employer's emails?"
"No, hacking into multinationals is a whole different ball game. We like to keep it local." Taking another candy from the bag, "Quinn, go to the county office, check out the civil, criminal, bankruptcy, and municipal records for these guys. Check the property records for the mansion to see if Dave has a lien against it. Utility company to find out who's being billed to any address that pops up. Oh, and the DMV."
"I can't check all that," Quinn said in protest.
"Then, get Dani or Mercedes to help."
"What about military records?" Dani suggested.
"We'd need a social to request military records, and we'd have to through the FOIA. Although we could try the Academy, I don't know what they'll have. It's worth a google search."
"We think he's a pilot? Are those public records?" Mercedes asked.
"If the guy has military training, we'd have a name, but if he's a private pilot." Brittany responded, "The FAA might have something on their website. But we'd still need a name."
"How long has the existing KEI pilot worked for them? Quinn? Mercedes?" Dani asked, "He might be worth talking too."
"I might help there," Mercedes smiled. "Y'all think the private jet is the Karofsky's personal Uber. But its primary use is to fly employees between offices. Or with me, Kitty, and Halloran to Atlanta next week for a USDA conference."
"Meaning?" Quinn questioned.
"Mary's always late. Me and Kitty arrive a little early. Maybe chat with the pilot."
"What's Brittany doing?" Dani asked.
"She can help me," Lauren answered.
I Found A New View
"Oh, you're here." Emma said as she stood in the doorway of Paul's office, "I didn't think you'd be here so early."
Santana smiled, "Isn't that expected of new employees to be early?" tapping on her keyboard, "Why isn't this printer working? Paul had it working."
"Oh, uh," Emma stepped toward the desk "Well, let's see." Her right hand bounced in the air over the mouse before touching it. "OK, you want to print this. So, what you need to do." She pressed the left button of the mouse. "Oh, dear, what happened? My mouse doesn't do that."
"It's a left-hand mouse."
"Oh, well, that makes sense now. It's on your left side. So I'll use my middle finger, instead of my index, that should work." She tapped the right button, "OK, that's better." Both silent for a second, when the printer didn't hum, "Hmm, well, why don't I have Artie come up and check it." she half-turned to face her new boss to see her eyebrows together in a frown. "On second thought, I'll see if Mason or Roderick are available."
"Thank you, Emma." Santana looking above her laptop screen at her executive assistant.
"You're welcome, uh ... hmm, will it be Santana or Ms. Lopez? What should I call you?"
"I've always been Santana, no reason to change Emma."
"Oh, good! Thank you, Santana." "Well, then I'll get IT up here. Then check your voice mails and email, then we can talk about your meetings today. I'm sure you'll have some executives stopping by this morning to say hello. It should be busy."
"Um, Emma, did you program my phone?"
"Yes, I added your requested number. I left a list under your phone. And you can reach me via the intercom button."
"Thank You, I'll talk with you in a few." Santana waited a few seconds to see if her nervous executive admin closed the door. She lifted the phone to slide the paper, taking the receiver in her hand, she pressed the button labeled 1 on her phone.
"This is Brittany."
"Not even a Good Morning?"
"I said that already. I can again, though."
"No, wouldn't be the same."
"How's your first day?"
"Printer's not working. Otherwise good."
"Is it turned on?"
"You thought you'd catch me? I checked that first." Santana laughed as she heard a knock, "Crap I have to go, Babe. Lunch? My office? I'll have Emma send something up."
"Yeah, me too, Tina's Monday meeting. Send me a text when you're ready. Bye."
"Bye, Babe."
Roderick followed Emma in through the door. His first request to his new CEO was to close any confidential apps she had open before he could look at the screen. While Santana did that. Emma, using her lower arm as a ruler, rearranged the pictures of Zee and Elle on the credenza that Santana had brought to the office. Santana and Roderick shared a smirk of amusement between them as they viewed the ginger-haired woman decide which arm to use. After a few minutes, Roderick diagnosed the printer had dropped its wi-fi signal. A simple restart got it working again.
"Uh, well, your schedule today, Santana," Emma said taking a deep breath,
"The board will meet at 9 in your conference room. Ms. McHale, from finance, has requested a meeting before that. Mr. Morris chief of operations has asked for an appointment afterward." Seeing her new boss nod, Emma continued. "And an all-hands meeting before lunch in the cafeteria. You're expected to speak. Then a Q&A after the video. You have a round table with a few selected employees at one. Uhmm, Paul always kept his answers short and vague." Emma waited for a response from Santana she continued, "Then you'll have separate video calls with representatives from Walmart, Hy-Vee, Whole Foods, and Vons in the afternoon. Uhmm, they just want reassurance, get to know you. A conference call with representatives from Salt Lake City on the new plant bid. You'll meet with representatives from Denver on the same tomorrow. Also, the mayor has requested a meeting. I haven't scheduled that yet."
Santana nodded, "Is that all?"
"And uh ... you've received flowers from your Uncle, your parents, Paul, and someone named Lord Tubbington. Do you want those brought into your office?"
"Yes, please. My lunch, can you have it brought up here? It'll be for two."
"Sure. The special today is the Hoosier pork tenderloin sandwich. That was one of Paul's favorites. Though how he ate all of it. I mean, the tenderloin is as big as the plate." Emma caught the scowl on Santana's face. "Or I could have the chef whip up a nice Greek salad for you."
"Salad would be fine. Also, water."
"OK, I'll order that and bring in the flowers. Uh ... about the picture you want hung. Paul kept the same pictures that his father had. To maintain continuity. History. Company growth. It seems to me like that would be a good tradition to maintain, since you're an interim CEO until Paul comes back."
"Emma, like you, I appreciate tradition, but the picture you're referring to is one of my children and me. I'd like to remember why I'm here."
"Oh, OK. I guess that makes sense. I mean children like ice cream. Uh, I see you don't have any photos of Dave. Will you be bringing those in too?"
"Soon."
"All right then, I'll have facilities come up to hang the picture."
"Oh, one more thing, Emma. Can you call over to the old Karofsky mansion, see if they have a portrait of Elise or Anna Karofsky that they could loan out for a few months?"
"Sure. May I ask why?"
"Karol looks a little lonely up on the wall by himself."
We Shake Hands With Our Fate
Facilities had removed the tables to the walls to make room for employees in the cafeteria. They added a small stage and a dais at one end. Santana surprised to learn that they equipped the cafeteria with a screen that appeared from the ceiling. The C-level executives adjusted their schedules to attend. Lynch, chief brand officer. Donna McHale, chief financial officer. Cory chief information officer. Harris, chief legal officer. Morris chief operating officer. McHale had given her a heads-up that Cory wasn't happy with her appointment, calling it blatant nepotism. Morris and Lynch agreed, but since both were retiring, they'd play nice with Paul's foolishness. Harris had been more circumspect in his assessment. Santana didn't disagree. It was nepotism, and she was Paul's folly yet, KEI's C-suite was always a boy network, Donna the first to break through the glass ceiling barrier. What Santana had in her back pocket that they didn't Paul's confidence, her children's future, and fulfilling Dave's dream. Above all, self-assurance in her own judgment, ability, and accomplishments.
Along with VPs, Directors, Managers, both white-collar and blue-collar employees packed the cafeteria. Excluded from the invite were the contractors. Morris, as COO, started with a brief statement to introduce the video. The film nothing more than a history of KEI that every new employee watched, added to the end, the transition to a new era of leadership from Paul to her. The expectation she'd carry on the tradition, pride, and innovation of the company. At the end of the video, Morris introduced her. In a second, Santana's insides went to jelly as she heard 'Please welcome our interim CEO and President Santana Lopez-Karofsky.' Santana paused before she felt the mic in her hand, Morris smiled, a friendly pat on her upper arm, the sound of enthusiastic applause from the employees. Morris telling her to smile. She strode forward onto the makeshift stage.
After the thank you as she waited for the applause to settle down, she scanned the audience. Mercedes huddled with Kitty and Tina. Mike with Lavender. In the back, Dani stood on a chair beside her, Jane and Madison. Artie wheeled to the front row. Mason and Roderick next to Sugar with her trademark oversized hair bow. Jake, Ryder, and Sam next to the large windows. Anthony, Trent stood just down from them, with Brittany pumping her fist in the air. A loud shriek of a wolf whistle brought her focus back "That can only be Sam Evans." She said into the mic with a laugh. Sam cupping his hands around his mouth, shouted. "Yes, ma'am." Tanaka squeezed through the crowd to Sam to chastise him. Then another whistle, Santana looked around, Brittany removing her pinky fingers from her mouth. Raising her arms to wave. Anthony shook his head at the blonde.
"OK, then. You know me or at least recognize me as someone to avoid in the building." Laughter ensued from the crowd. "For those that don't, I'm Santana Lopez. Uh, ..." Santana paused. She didn't want the employees to see her as a sorrowful widow or a temporary figurehead. "My father-in-law Paul Karofsky has asked me to step in as CEO and President of KEI." That didn't sound right, she thought. "KEI has always been a family business. Going back to the founder, Karol. As a member of the family, I intend to keep that line of leadership during my tenure." That still didn't sound right. If they didn't hear nervous in her voice, she did. "Let me assure you that since I joined the Karofsky family, the workings of KEI have always been front and center of my life. I wouldn't have taken on this tremendous responsibility if Paul didn't have confidence that I could do the job. Or that I didn't believe I could." That was better. "As Paul did, I grew up as part of a family business, Diabla Limited," a few clapped at the mention of the liquor company. "No, we're not adding rum or tequila to the break rooms." She laughed, "Um ... I know that tradition is essential, as is family. And the Karofsky family has always looked at their employees as part of their larger family." Santana reflected, she'd mentioned confidence, responsibility, family, tradition, and leadership. "My qualifications on the surface may appear superficial. People judge me on my looks. Yes, I know you see me as either a pampered trophy wife, an interloper in the family. I know I appear pompous or arrogant. Or an airhead. I'm not." OK, more than she planned, but she couldn't take it back. "Yet, I'm no different from you. A parent. Risk-taker. I believe we can find solutions through innovation and creativity. That our future isn't about ourselves, but in what we do as a person. We're a family. And a business. Part of a community." Generic, if not idealistic, she thought. "This may sound trite, but as long as I'm here, my door is always open. If you have an idea or suggestion that isn't getting traction from your management, then I'll listen." Great, remembering Brittany's comment from the lake. She'd just opened herself up to listen to everyone's complaint about higher wages. "Questions?"
The Q&A had gone on longer than planned. The employee's questions revolved around parking at the plant. Yes, she didn't realize that was a problem. Would the company consider offering daycare or at least supplementing the cost? That was an ongoing discussion between HR and legal. Would KEI offer an ice cream product with actual alcohol as an ingredient? She'd look into it. Did they expect to lose existing product lines with their clients due to the change in leadership? No. Did Paul plan to return? Yes, she didn't know when. Did she plan to stay when Paul returned? She'd consider that option. The other executives answered some questions since they fell within their leadership domain. She didn't have a clue why management selected Dell servers over another manufacturer. In fact, she was sure Artie asked just to show she was clueless. Why omit FSA plans from the health care plan in favor of high deductible HSA plans? Off to the side, she could see Emma's face panic with each question she agreed to answer. A reminder that her time wasn't her own to dictate anymore. It was a change she'd have to get used to, at least in the short term.
Santana's lunch started with an alarmed Emma, who questioned Brittany's presence. Sensing she'd hijacked Emma's authority over who the KEI CEO should have lunch with and why. Santana dismissed Emma. Brittany smirked along with a shoulder shrug as the executive admin left the office. Brittany's critique of her speech, overall positive. Agreeing that the open-door policy may leave her with trivial issues better resolved at the lower management levels. Emma would have to delegate to those management levels. Keeping Santana informed on the outcomes as necessary.
Zee's daycare called during their lunch. He had puked up his lunch and felt warm. She needed to take him home. Santana's stomach rolled as an intense dread ran through her. As a working mother, she needed to make a choice, leave work, or call someone to take Zee home. But if she didn't leave, who could she call to take her son home. Not to mention leaving Elle at the daycare. Dottie had gone to Columbus shopping for the day. Santana called Quinn, who didn't answer her phone. Instead, she responded with a text that she was at a house closing. Emma offered to send another admin, but Zee wouldn't recognize them. Plus, they'd need instruction on how to get into the house. She didn't want a stranger in her home or taking care of her son. Instead, Brittany offered to go. Emma's face went from a nervous apprehension to relief at Brittany's offer. Listing off instructions to Brittany on what to do once she got Zee and Elle home, Santana called daycare, giving permission to allow Brittany as a contact.
The roundtable had started with Ken Tanaka and Dalton Rumba expressing their sympathy at Dave's death. Ken, taking it, as far as predicting who killed Dave. Along with Dalton's complaints that he couldn't hear Ken. Then reminding everyone again of his hearing loss because of Scarlet fever as a child. Tina and Kitty sensing how uncomfortable the two men made the others feel, not to mention Ken's insensitivity. Both women interrupted the two to get back on track. Ryder wanted to know why the company limited options for a workstation were Windows, why not Apple PC? Unique didn't feel that HR didn't fully support her identity as a woman. Tina mentioned she took issue with bonuses being given based on favoritism, not merit. Santana catching a smile from Dani on that. Josh Coleman asking if the company would look at more employee discounts, like cars, movie tickets, and sporting events. Phil Lipoff wanted the company to add more exercise facilities pointing out the jogging/walking paths were beautiful in the summer but inadequate during the winter months. Madison wanted the company to increase the amount of money that they reimbursed on education toward a college degree.
Ken was up in arms over the ban on using work email addresses for personal matters. He had to sign up for a Gmail account, then change his email addresses on all of his own statements and tell his family and friends of the change. Kitty felt KEI biased promotions toward the men's club. Roderick agreed. Pointing out, Sugar was capable of an IT support position. But she'd been turned down twice. Dalton felt the hearing-impaired employees were treated as a lessor disability than other more visible disabilities. Dani made another pitch at offering daycare, saying that female employees were often late or called in sick because of a lack of affordable daycare. At that point, Santana's phone beeped. It was a text from Brittany with a photo of Zee on the family room couch in pajamas, covered up with Tigger next to him.
When she made it back to the office, she rattled off to Emma that she wanted a meeting with Cooter in HR. A list of promotions, including applicants, and bonuses given within the last year. Facilities needed to figure out a space for an exercise area large enough for weight machines, stationary bikes, treadmills, and stepping machines. Discounts and reimbursement the company offered. And from IT, why it limited workstations to Windows-based computers. Last on her list, HR, to send over any evaluations it had made for on-site daycare facilities. As for Ken's complaint, that was his mistake, not the company's.
The afternoon calls and video meetings were 'dog and pony show' for the clients. Clients who needed reassurance that nothing would change. They'd adhere to their contractual obligations. When she returned to her office, facilities had hung the large portrait of her and the kids. The historical society had sent over pictures of Elsie and Anna. Emma consulting with facilities on how to get all three up on the wall. On her desk, the items she'd asked for methodically laid out.
Along with pink-colored memos of calls, she needed to return. Her last task for the day calling security to assign Brittany one of the executive parking spots. The other went to Roderick for a month.
I Found You
Brittany flipped over the blue card in her hand. "So, do I lose this privilege if I can't make you scream?"
Santana let out a quiet laugh as she sorted through the papers in front of her "I don't recall screaming." She replied, glancing over to the blonde next to her, "OK maybe I asked louder than I should. Once. You're not exactly quiet yourself."
Brittany gave a half shrug as she danced her fingers across Santana's thigh "I just enjoy letting out how I feel. Unlike you."
"Huh, is that it? Because if you ever plan to sleep in my bed, you'll need to tone it down a little."
Brittany grimaced, "You're tired of sex on the couch or in our bedroom, hideaway? Or that I get up and leave afterward?"
Santana let out a deep sigh, the inevitable conversation, "Babe, I'm not replacing a couch, just because it bugs you that Elle was conceived on it. Hell, Dave farted on this one. Anyway, didn't you tell me they conceived you in a bathroom?" Moving her papers to the coffee table. Half turning her body toward Brittany, "And I will not replace a perfectly good mattress because Dave and I shared it. You've slept in hotel beds, and you have no clue who slept their last or what they did." She said as she moved a lock of blonde hair behind her girlfriend's ear. "I don't get it. You're so accepting of everyone, but with Dave, you seem to stop. It made sense when he was alive, but he's not anymore."
"But he's still with you, honey. In this house." Pulling at the shirt, Santana wore, "It's his sweatshirt. He's still in your dreams."
Santana closed her eyes as she swallowed hard, "He is. But I can't erase Dave from my life, Britt. You of all people should know that."
"Yeah, I know. Maybe I am unfair."
"Look, I don't want you to go home after we make love either." Cupping Brittany's chin in her hand, "I can find room in my closet if you're interested."
Brittany snickered "I've been in your closet, Elle couldn't find room for her tiny little shoes in there."
"Is that a no?"
"I don't think there was a no in that sentence," Brittany smirked.
"Britt, you're evading. I'll make room. Listen, you offered to help with Elle's room this weekend. We can move some of Dave's stuff out of his closet, move some of mine in it. It'll have to be gradual. I don't want Zee freaking out."
"Are you sure you're ready?"
"Yes. Are you?"
"I believe I am interested too. Can we flip the mattress?"
"Yeah, but we've flipped it a few times."
Notes:
Song: I Don't Search I Find; Artist: Madonna; Album: Madame X (2019); Songwriters: Madonna Ciccone / Mirwais Ahmadzai.
Every office, Lauren mentions, is open to the public as a resource.
FIOA = Freedom of Information Act
If you've never seen a midwestern pork tenderloin sandwich, Wikipedia's picture is a good example. Yes, Wiki's description, in this case, is spot-on accurate. I only refer to it as a Hoosier tenderloin sandwich because Lima is about 40 miles east of the Indiana/Ohio state line. Indiana's nickname is the Hoosier State.