The funeral was cold and rainy, and somewhere thunder boomed. Claire had an umbrella over her head, as did the rest of the mourners. Masrani had a good turnout for his last internment on Earth. She was there with him, by his side, as she watched the casket being lowered.
The past few days had seemed like a blur to her. Really, she was feeling sick, even now. This was the third person she had seen die in front of her in the span of less than a month. This time, there was absolutely nothing that she might have done about it. That was the horrible thought, that horrible feeling of knowing.
She was not proud of how she had managed to stay hidden, hiding under the trailer, her face in the dirt until she heard the shouts from the security people that it was truly over. But in her heart, she knew that it was not going to be over. Not yet.
Eyes flickering up, she could hear people sobbing and crying next to her. Claire felt her hands trembling and shaking, even as she would take a look around. There it was, this was all there was for Masrani. She was supposed to give a speech alter, but she did not know what she might do or say.
Words failed her in this moment, as she would see Jessica King already standing, her own umbrella at the ready, as she would be there with a sad expression on her face. She was crying. Or so it seemed to Claire, as she stepped forward, her facial expression unreadable to others, as she was trying to keep it neutral. More to the point, she wanted to know how important it was to keep it neutral.
Jessica had disappeared after the attack, the immediate aftermath at least, she had not seen anything. There… was enough questions about this whole thing. More to the point, how when she had crawled out…she hadn't seen her. Or rather, she had.
Mainly because she had been underneath the trailer since she had seen that thing get Masrani, she had been at a good vantage point to see who had left the trailer, in the chaos believing herself not to be noticed by anyone. It was none other than Jessica of course. She was not so sure why she should be surprised by that, but she figured she was not at this point.
"-Although I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. I will fear no evil. For thou art with me." She looked up, the reverend was giving the funeral rites, as she realized how little she had actually known about her boss. Granted, Mr. Masrani had kept his private life and his work life rather separate, but there was still that sense that she should know him better. Claire sighed again, as she looked around. Among the mourners were the board and top. Execs, and to the side, were people she supposed must be Masrani's family.
Over to the right, on the edges, she could see Richard Levine and Malcolm standing to the side. Owen was no where to be seen, and she was not too surprised at that. From what they had spoken of the other night, maybe it was better that Owen keep his distance for now. The stakes were far too high, and this was a game that was not something to be played with idly. Especially now that she knew that the people playing this game might not be playing by the rules.
Claire swallowed, breathing hard as she watched the preacher continue to eulogize her boss. "For Dust you are, and to dust you shall return…" She watched as the coffin was lowered, it was a closed casket funeral, as it was certainly something unsalvageable for even the most dedicated mortician. The Carnotaur had been easier because she had not had to see the aftermath. Here she did, and she shuddered.
Not just because Masrani was dead, but because of how he had died, and because she knew now that things were becoming unpredictable.
His family were giving the eulogy, which was only right, as she listened. Listened to his elderly mother talk, his wife- now widow, and his children… they were beyond grief, as she could see it in her eyes. She felt equally helpless too, that she could not do anything to help them. There had been nothng that she could do. The funeral seemed to pass by in a blur, as Claire wondered just how something might be at once criminally slow and feel like her life was passing in front of her eyes.
But it was happening, as she stared down, even as the dirt was pushed over the casket, burying it Six-Feet under for all eternity. She stared, and stared…for what seemed long moments, but most likely were only minutes in reality.
Not like she was counting, as she took a breath, taking a step towards the family, as the Reverend gave the farewell blessing. But just as she did so, she felt herself blocked, there was someone in her way, someone who she had last seen coming out of the Trailer door which had previously been locked.
Jessica King, her face still a mask of grief, but Claire thought she understood enough at this point to understand that was exactly what it was. A mask to be worn and taken off whenever it best suited her. She stared at her, the rain pattering loudly, as it splashed down her umbrella, it really was coming down.
"Ms. Dearing. I know this really isn't the time," Jessica said, as Claire narrowed her eyes. The formalities in the sentence could not be mistaken, as she let herself think all the way back to the bar. "But I believe that we have to talk now."
Claire was silent, unsure what was going on. Or perhaps she had an inkling of what the woman wanted to say. She eyed her warily, like she were scenting her. Which in a way she was. "I'm not going anywhere," Claire said finally.
Jessica nodded, face still sympathetic, as she gestured with her head to face the gravesite. "I know Mr. Masrani is gone now. It's a huge loss that all of us at Masrani Global will feel. One that no words or voice can fix. However, . I wanted to be the one to tell you this. That the board has already voted to replace him.
Oh. There it was, Claire thought as she cranked her neck, looking the woman squarely in the eyes. The barest ghost of a smile crossed her lips, as she supposed she had been waiting for something like this. Or rather, for the hammer to drop in this fashion. Maybe that was why her face did not betray the surprise that Jessica perhaps expected. "Who is the boards choice?" Claire said without emotion.
Jessica blinked, seemingly surprised by her nonchalance. But she recovered admirably, as she nodded, the tone in her voice changing. "The Board voted that I should be named his successor. It was a ten to one vote, I hear." Claire nodded wordlessly, as she saw the picture clear.
Not reacting, even as she saw Cooper and another bodyguard draw up behind Jessica. No, she knew what this woman expected. She would not give her the satisfaction. Instead, she simply nodded. "Congratulations. I know that Masrani Global will do well in your leadership. I guess I report to you."
Jessica shook her head, as she gestured to one of her men, who had his hand out. Claire looked down at it, then back up at Jessica as she shook her head. She got it now. She smiled ruefully, as the cleverness of it all was really making sense to her.
"I don't know what's so funny- But I suppose you know what I'm going to say already," Jessica said as she twirled her umbrella slightly. "Claire Dearing. From now on, the board has decided to dissolve the post of Operations Manager, and I will directly oversee that section as part of my duties. Unfortunately, that means that we have to let you go. Effective immediately."
"Well, didn't take you long," Claire said as she shook her head, scoffing in disbelief. That Jessica had chosen a funeral to do this shit was something else, but the magnitude of this was also incredible.
"I understand this is hard, but please don't make this more difficult than it has to be." Jessica's eyes did not convey the same message as her words did. Her eyes were practically begging for Claire to make this more difficult. For Claire to make a public scene and be thrown out. "I need your keycard and your access , unfortunately." Claire reached in her pocket, bringing out the ID, and handing it over to Cooper.
Jessica smiled mirthlessly, as she looked up at Claire. The redhead could see in that smile there was the barest hint of a triumphant smirk. She believed that she had won. She was cocky, yes. But maybe they could still yet use this. After all, there were still a few cards left to play.
Claire stepped forward, breathing hard as she saw the men tensed. She saw Jessica tense as well, and she was glad. She was glad, as she felt something swell in her that she had not found at the bar, nor with the carnotaurus, or with the dactyl attack. A bit of bravery. "Jessica. Be seeing you around," Claire said with a faint smile, as se deliberately walked past her, directly to where Malcolm and Levine were. Turning back, she could see the woman look confused, but she did not pursue.
Maybe she really did believe she had won. That was totally fine with her, as she looked over Malcolm and Levine as she approached them. Her mind was made up now, as she had a plan in mind, a confidence for the first time in a long time. "Just got fired." She said to them in a low voice, as she knew that this was possibly a new chapter in her life, or at least that was one way to think about it.