CHAPTER TWELVE — THE PERSON WHO HAD TO ANSWER
Victoria’s resignation did not end the investigation into the decisions made while she supervised WinterBridge.
The company convened a formal review session where executives could answer questions from the special board committee.
Khloe did not attend as an employee or an investigator.
She joined Beatrice in the observers’ section after the committee allowed public access to part of the proceedings.
The former operations director described the pressure he felt to meet ambitious reliability targets.
He said supervisors had been told to reduce complaints and shorten reported travel times before the contract renewal.
A committee member asked whether anybody explicitly ordered him to invent completed trips.
He said nobody had used those words.
The member asked whether the software changes had been explained to Victoria’s investment team.
He admitted that several summaries described how unresolved trips would be classified after the reporting change.
Victoria responded through her attorney that she had approved the operational goals, not every technical detail.
The committee asked why repeated warnings from dispatchers had not prompted a deeper review.
Victoria said her staff had treated them as routine personnel disagreements.
Celia stood to provide her account and described the supervisor who told her the numbers needed to look better before investors arrived.
She spoke without raising her voice.
Her precise descriptions made the room feel smaller.
A committee member asked whether she could distinguish instructions she personally heard from rumors among employees.
Celia did so carefully, naming only what she could support.
Khloe was struck by how much courage ordinary precision required.
Then the discussion turned to the confidentiality agreement delivered at Ali’s Diner.
Victoria said she had wanted to protect Arthur’s privacy during a medical emergency.
The chair asked why the agreement required Khloe to say Arthur’s whereabouts before the diner were unknown.
Victoria acknowledged that the phrasing had been inappropriate.
She said she regretted causing Khloe distress.
Khloe did not answer from the observers’ section.
She wanted the committee to finish its questions without turning the review into a personal confrontation.
The chair asked who had authorized the amount printed on the check.
Victoria said it had been approved through a discretionary executive account.
The committee requested a record of that authorization.
Victoria’s attorney asked for time to provide it.
The chair granted the request and noted the issue remained open.
Outside the building, reporters rushed toward Khloe and asked whether she felt vindicated.
She said the people who missed rides deserved working transportation more than anybody deserved a dramatic apology.
Mara asked whether that meant Khloe had forgiven Victoria.
Khloe said forgiveness was a private matter and was not a substitute for accountability.
Beatrice added that people still needed to get to dialysis appointments the next morning.
The reporters turned toward her, and she explained the changes riders expected at the stops.
Khloe stepped back and let her speak.
By the time they reached the street, the sky had darkened over the harbor.
Beatrice asked whether Khloe would attend the next community meeting.
Khloe said she could come after her restaurant shift.
Beatrice told her to bring the coffee but leave the speeches to people who actually rode the route every night.
Khloe laughed and agreed.
