Lara Reznik - The Girl From Long Guyland (22 page)

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

The Deposition

Austin, Texas, 2012

The next morning I enter my former boss’s office. A balding Hispanic guy from San Antonio with a well-trimmed beard, Victor has always been a mentor to me and I trust him. He sits typing at his laptop when I arrive. Pictures of his wife, grown children, and grandkids fill his desk.

He offers me a seat. “How y’all like the new job?” Victor had long aspired to the
CIO
position himself.

“I never asked for it. You deserve it, not me.”

“I understand there’s been a lot of politics involved,” he said.

“You do?”

He stood and closed the door to his office. “Rumors are going around. That’s why I called this meeting.”

I gulp. “What are people saying?”

“That you’ve been Darlene’s stoolie. That she’s asked you to testify in her harassment case.”

“It’s true I’ve been asked to give a deposition. We’re meeting with a mediator this afternoon.”

He pulls the ends of his beard. “She’s crazy, you know. Don’t lie for her.”

“I’ve been asked to lie, but not by Darlene,” I say.

“Really. Who—?”

“You don’t want to know.”

He nods. “You’re right.”

“Have you filled my old job yet?”

“We’ve got a few applicants. I haven’t started the interviewing process yet.”

“I’d like to apply,” I say.

He smiles. “You can’t go back from
CIO
to
I.T.
Solutions Manager.”

I take a breath and stand. “Seems crazy, huh?”

AT ONE O’CLOCK,
I arrive downtown at the plush ceiling-to-floor glass offices of the mediator, Max Fowler. A young secretary with red-claw nails and a long French braid shuffles me to a room in the back where Darlene and her attorney, Loren Baylor, are seated at a conference table. Loren is dressed in a royal-blue business suit. Darlene, on the other hand, is wearing a low-cut red silk blouse and tight jeans. She looks sexy but spaced out, like she’s on tranquilizers.

Loren introduces herself and explains that one of Darlene’s conditions for mediation was for me to be in attendance. “I’ve also requested that all parties are present for each other’s depositions. It should work to Darlene’s advantage since Bob E. will have to perjure himself in front of her. I can’t advise you, Laila, other than to tell you it’s imperative you tell the truth.”

“Of course, I’ll tell the truth.” I say.
But will it cost me my job?

She turns to Darlene. “The mediation is only binding if we agree to it. Otherwise we can still go to court on sexual harassment charges. Do you understand?”

Darlene checks out her manicure.

Loren grasps Darlene’s hand and glowers at her. “Do you know what’s at stake here?”

Darlene smiles. “Yes. I’m good. Let’s screw the bastard.”

Loren rolls her eyes. “Honey, we’ve got a good case here. Don’t try to screw him or make anything up, okay?”

Darlene salutes her. “Yes, ma’am.”

A few minutes later a tall man with white-blonde hair sticks his head in the door. He introduces himself as Max Fowler and says he’ll be acting at the mediator. “You ladies ready?”

We follow him to a big conference room with breathtaking views of Austin’s skyline. My friend, Steve Berman, who is representing
LBJ
, sits at the enormous mahogany table across from me. We both act like we don’t know each other when introduced. An in-house
LBJ
attorney and Bob E. sit in the back of the room.

Max Fowler introduces the court reporter, a short Hispanic woman, and explains the session will be recorded. He also informs us that the negotiations are not binding unless all parties agree to them. Both attorneys can ask questions.

Bob E. is called to give his deposition first. He steps up to a separate table where Fowler swears him in. The court reporter clicks on a tape machine and starts transcribing.

Max Fowler:
Mr. Berman. You may ask your client questions at this time.

Steve Berman:
Mr. Englewood, can you tell us about your relationship with Ms. McIntire?

Bob Englewood:
She worked for me as
V.P.
of Corporate Services. I promoted her when I became CEO three months ago.

Steve Berman:
Was the promotion made because you were receiving sexual favors from Ms. McIntire?

Bob Englewood:
No. I promoted Ms. McIntire along with a number of other managers to form my new executive team. This is common practice for a new Chief Executive Officer.

Steve Berman:
I’m going to ask you a very personal question now. Have you ever had a sexual relationship with Ms. McIntire?

Bob Englewood:
No, sir.

Steve Berman:
You are aware that Ms. McIntire has filed a charge claiming you did have a relationship that was sexual in nature?

Bob Englewood:
Yes, sir, I am.

Steve Berman:
Can you tell us why you think Ms. McIntire would lie about such a serious matter?

Bob E. mumbles something in Steve’s ear. Steve whispers back in his.

Bob Englewood:
I believe Ms. McIntire is delusional. She’s had a crush on me and has tried her best to seduce me.

I glance over at Darlene who is staring at him with vacant eyes. She looks mesmerized rather than angry with him. I, on the other hand, am furious.

Steve Berman:
So you’re testifying that Ms. McIntire did not succeed in seducing you, Mr. Englewood?

Bob Englewood:
Yes, I-I mean no, she did not succeed in seducing me. We had no type of relationship other than a professional one.

Steve Berman:
One last question for you, Mr. Englewood. Can you tell us the reason why Ms. McIntire’s position was eliminated?

Bob Englewood
:
The
LBJ
board has asked me to make major budget cuts. It was a very tough decision but I’ve been working top-down to minimize the number of people that will lose their jobs.

Steve: Berman:
Thank you. That’s all I have to ask you.

Max Fowler:
Ms. Baylor. Do you have any questions for the witness?

Loren Baylor:
Mr. Englewood. Did you have sexual relations with my client, Darlene McIntire?

Bob Englewood
:
No ma’am. I did not.

Loren Baylor:
You realize you’re under oath, Mr. Englewood? If we prove otherwise there could be perjury charges.

Bob Englewood
:
Yes, ma’am. I’m telling the truth and aware of the consequences if I weren’t.

A few drops of sweat form on Bob E.‘s forehead. He rubs his neck with his palm.

Loren Baylor:
That’s all the questions I have for the witness.

Max Fowler:
Then you may return to your seat, Mr. Englewood.

Fowler announces that I will be next and has me sworn in. He asks me to state my name, address, and position at
LBJ,
then turns to Steve. “Are you ready to question the witness, Mr. Berman?”

Steve says he needs a moment and shuffles some paper. I swallow while he gets ready. This is it. My job. Liam’s ability to attend Stanford. Ed’s and my financial security. If there is an Ed and me. I feel so torn. My own survival versus Darlene’s. I must make a decision now.

Steve Berman:
Ms. Levin. Have you ever witnessed Mr. Englewood and Ms. McIntire having sexual relations?

Laila Levin:
No. But I did—

Steve Berman:
Just answer the question, please.

Laila Levin:
No.

Steve Berman:
That’s all the questions I have right now.

Mr. Fowler:
Ms. Baylor. Do you have questions for the witness?

Loren nods affirmatively and steps up to where I’m seated.

Loren Baylor:
Ms. Levin, are you aware of any sexual relations occurring between the plaintiff, Ms. McIntire, and the defendant, Mr. Englewood?

Laila Levin:
Yes. I was their go-between. They did not use landline or cell phones, text, or e-mail to contact each other. I know of numerous meetings including a couples’ massage where a room was registered under an assumed name at the Four Seasons. I can provide the date and the name used. I can also testify that Bob E.’s wife called Darlene’s husband and told him about the affair. He threw her out of their house as a result.

Loren Baylor:
Thank you, Ms. Levin. That’s all I have to ask you.

Mr. Fowler:
Mr. Berman. Do you have further questions for the witness?

“I do, sir.”

Steve Berman:
Ms. Levin. Do you know why you received your promotion from
I.T
. Solutions Manager to
CIO
? That’s an awful big leap at a company like
LBJ
.

Laila Levin:
I-I don’t know why Darlene promoted me.

Steve Berman:
You’re under oath, Ms. Levin.

You’re some friend, Steve.

Laila Levin:
She wanted me to talk with Bob E., er, Mr. Englewood.

Steve Berman:
So she promoted you to try and help her seduce the new
CEO.

Laila Levin:
It wasn’t like that.

Steve Berman:
Thank you, Ms. Levin. That’s all I have to ask you.

The mediator calls Darlene to the stand. She struts from her seat in the back of the room and winks at Bob E. before sitting down and getting sworn in. Loren goes first this time.

Loren Baylor:
Ms. McIntire. Did you have a sexual relationship with Mr. Englewood.

Darlene McIntire:
Yes, but it was more than just sex.

Loren Baylor:
So Mr. Englewood led you to believe he was in love with you.

Darlene McIntire:
Yes.

Loren Baylor:
No further questions.

Steve steps up to the front for his turn.

Steve Berman:
Ms. McIntire, can you tell us whether you have any actual proof that you had an affair with Mr. Englewood?

Darlene McIntire:
We loved each other.
She turns to Bob E.
Tell me we didn’t have something special.
Tears spill down her cheeks along with streaks of mascara. “
I can’t stop thinking about you
—”

Loren barrels up to her. “Shhh, enough, honey.”

The court reporter stops transcribing and turns the tape recorder off. Fowler announces a short recess. He asks Steve, Loren, and the
LBJ
attorney to meet him in another conference room. The court reporter also heads out leaving Darlene, Bob E. and me in the conference room alone. Talk about awkward.

Darlene eyeballs Bob E. “Tell me I’m not crazy. That you did love me.”

He looks down at his Wingtips then back up at her. Then he whispers, “I’ll always love you, honey. We just can’t be together right now.”

Darlene wipes a tear from the corner of her eye. “But maybe later. Like when our kids are grown?”

Bob E. smiles and winks at her.

The mediator and lawyers return to the room. Fowler starts to speak but is interrupted by Darlene. “I’m dropping all charges.”

Loren glares at her. “You’re making a big mistake. We have a good case.”

“My decision’s final,” Darlene says.

Steve picks up his briefcase and heads to the door. Darlene is certifiably crazy and I’m toast.

An hour later, as I sit with Willow on the deck, I receive the following e-mail on my i-Phone:

From:
Bob EnglewoodLBJ
.org>

To:
LBJ
employees <
LBJ
employees>

Sent:
Wed, June 14, 2012 4:29 p.m.

Subject:
Re: Staff changes

As per the directive of the
LBJ
Board of Directors, effective today, Laila Levin will no longer serve as the Chief Information Officer. This position has been eliminated and current job duties will be reassigned to various
I.T.
staff. The board and executive team are extremely grateful for the commendable job Ms. Levin has performed in the
I.T.
department.