“Dependability is measured when circumstances are difficult, not when they are convenient,” he said. “If she cannot meet the expectations of her position, then we need to reassess her employment.”
Megan hesitated, then spoke again.
“Would you like me to issue a warning or schedule a meeting with her?”
Jonathan shook his head. “No,” he said. “I want her address.”
Megan stared at him. “Sir?”
“I would like to understand what keeps preventing her from showing up to work,” he continued. “If it is legitimate, then I will know. If it is not, then I will address it accordingly.”
Reluctantly, Megan retrieved the personnel file and placed it on his desk.
Jonathan did not announce his plan to anyone. He left the office before noon, driving himself rather than calling his driver. As he followed the navigation system out of the city center, the surroundings began to change gradually, then dramatically. Towering buildings gave way to aging apartment complexes. Clean sidewalks turned into cracked concrete. Storefronts displayed hand painted signs rather than digital screens.
He felt out of place and resented the sensation.
When he arrived at the address, he sat in the car for several moments, observing the modest duplex before him. The paint was faded. The steps were uneven. A child’s bicycle leaned against the wall, rust creeping along its frame.
Jonathan straightened his jacket and stepped out of the vehicle. He knocked firmly. There was movement inside, followed by hurried footsteps and the unmistakable sound of a crying infant.
The door opened slowly. Sofia Calderon stood in the doorway, her eyes widening with shock as she recognized him.
“Mr. Piercewood,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I did not know you were coming.”
Jonathan was momentarily silent. She looked exhausted. Her hair was pulled back hastily. Dark shadows framed her eyes. She held a baby against her shoulder while two children stood behind her, watching him with guarded curiosity.
“I came because you have missed several days of work,” Jonathan said at last. “I wanted to understand why.”
Sofia stepped aside and gestured for him to enter. The apartment was small and sparsely furnished. A single lamp illuminated the living area. A mattress lay against one wall. The kitchen held little more than a kettle and an empty pot on the stove. Jonathan noticed the absence of personal items that suggested stability.