Roderick had assumed, walking into the Hartley building beside Milo that morning, that he'd spend the day quietly observing. He hadn't expected to spend most of it feeling his blood pressure climb steadily higher with every passing hour.
Milo moved through the office with an easy warmth that Roderick found, honestly, kind of endearing, greeting the receptionist by name, asking after someone's sick daughter, stopping by Franc's desk to lean over his shoulder and laugh at whatever was on his screen.
Roderick already knew that guy, but Milo was far too comfortable with him. Then he saw how the employees lit up when Milo passed, their smiles a little too bright. Their greetings seemed a little too eager for him.
Roderick watched all of it with a growing, uneasy suspicion.
"Morning, Mr. Hartley! You look great today!" one of the staff called out as they passed the break room.
