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Greg dipped his head. “About ...?”
“About the hierarchy of positions here. I don’t really understand what roles they fill.”
“Oh, certainly. Ask away,” Greg said, silencing another call. “I’d be answering that all day if I picked up every time it rang. I’m a scientist. Not a phone operator. So,” he said, redirecting his attention, “I’m the forensic director. I am responsible for the overall daily operation of the laboratory, as well as reviewing and coordinating the work activities of the full staff.”
“So you run the place,” Deckard said.
Greg smiled. “Basically.”
“And the forensics manager?”
“He oversees the forensics lab, the lab supervisor, and the evidence division.”
“Harper said you have a new forensics manager?” Deckard said, trying to poke deeper while not insulting the man who had been passed over by Todd Phillips for a job, which, given the plethora of degrees and awards hanging on Greg’s wall, he was far more qualified for, as Harper indicated.
“Yes, Kevin Gaines was promoted after Todd Phillips left the FBI.”
“We both know you should have been given that position,” Harper said. “You’re entirely more qualified, and a nice person to boot.”
“Well, thank you, Harper. But clearly someone, or more than one person on the hiring committee, didn’t think so.”
“We don’t think that was by accident,” Deckard said.
Greg held up a finger, stood, strode to the door, and looked up and down the hallway. Then he shut the door and returned to his seat. “I’m not saying it should have been me, but it definitely shouldn’t have been him. He’s not qualified, disciplined, or frankly intelligent enough for that position. I was already looking for a replacement for him as well as keeping an eye out for someone for my position. I certainly wouldn’t have recommended Todd for it.”
“If you were looking for your replacement, had you been offered the job?” Deckard asked.
“Not quite, but it looked very favorable. I’d made it to the last round of interviews and was told by the head of the hiring committee that they were impressed by my credentials and they would be in touch soon. Next thing I knew, Todd had the job, just like that. I didn’t even know he’d applied for the position. I thought he had his eyes on mine.”
“I don’t suppose they said why they went with Todd?” Deckard asked.
“Actually, they didn’t even call me. I found it very strange. I learned Todd had the job, and I called to thank them for theirconsideration and time, rather hoping they’d say something, but he just mumbled a ‘You’re welcome’ and wished me the best in my endeavors.”
“Any idea what kind of job Todd’s doing over there? I can’t imagine well,” Harper said.
“I’ve heard lots of complaints from the academy members, but it doesn’t seem to have any effect on those in charge. He’s still there.”
“Do you know who on the hiring committee might be willing to speak with us?” Deckard asked.
Greg rocked back in his chair—it creaked with the motion. “I’m not sure anyone will, but if it was going to be someone, it would be Ms. Cavet.”
“Ms. Cavet. Great. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. If you get anything out of her, please let me know. I just don’t understand.”
“Of course,” Harper said.
“So what prompted Kevin Gaines’s move into Todd Phillips’s role?”
“That was my appointment. He deserved the job. That’s who I was going to move into Todd’s role when I fired him.”
“Did he know you were going to fire him?”
“I told him he should consider looking for another position.”
“And how did he take that?”
“Like his ever-cocky self. Said it would be my loss.”
