The Cover Up Novel Part Twenty

“We forget the whole thing. If Bret was cheeking his meds it doesn't matter if there was some kind of med. error. Even an overdose of meds wouldn't kill Bret if he wasn't swallowing them,”said Drake.

“That maybe true but I'm not happy with Rick's behaviour. If some sort of med. error was made. he should have written up an incident report and given it to his supervisor,” said Sherry. “I mean Rick has always assured us that if we are perfectly honest with him, he will treat us fairly.”

“I know what you're saying but I don't think you understand the position Rick is in. He's only held this job for three months. He's probably still on probation. If he were to tell senior administration about this incident, they would fire him. When it comes to disciplinary matters they are right by the book. I've been a shop steward here, long enough, to know that administration doesn't cut the workers any slack,” answered Drake.

“Yes, but Rick isn't a worker. He's a supervisor.”

“Believe me Sherry, the executive director doesn't rank department managers much above the unionized workers. In fact, they find it easier dealing with unit supervisors because they don't have a union,” said Drake.

“So, you're saying that honesty is not always the best policy and that the best thing we can do is to remain silent?”

“Exactly. I'm quite a bit older than you and in my experience, honesty is not always the best policy. Let me to tell you a story. Before I worked at The House of Hope I was working as a special education teacher. At one school I was working at I became good friends with a male teacher. He and his wife would often get together with Judy and I on social occasions. I found out that my friend and his wife were starting to have marital issues. I also found out that my friend and another female staff were starting to go out on lunch dates quite frequently. This situation bothered me so one night I talked it over with Judy. I wondered if my friend's wife should get a “heads up” on what was happening with her husband.

“Well, as you know, my wife is a very wise person. She told me that at this point, this would not be the smartest move. Judy's advice was for me to have a private chat with my male friend and to let him know that I saw what was going on. I was to tell my friend that what he was doing was going to end in a disaster for his family.”

“Well, as much as I hated to do it, I had this private meeting with my friend. I also recommended that he and his wife should get some marriage counseling. To make a long story short, my friend terminated his personal relationship with his female co-worker and arranged for he and his wife to get free marriage counseling through our EAP program at work.”

“So, everything worked out happily?” said Sherry.

“My friend's marriage is still 'a work in progress' but they are still going for counseling and are still together,” answered Drake. “My point is that if Judy or I had informed the man's wife about his extra curricular relationship, it might have brought about the break up of his family.”

“Wow, Drake, you sure know how to present a good argument. Well, it's time I went home and it's time you started your shift,” said Sherry.