“The board found that your code red classification was entirely justified by the situation,” Wayne went on.

He took a red pen from his shirt pocket and drew a bold diagonal line across the pending suspension notice.

“The administrative complaint on your employment record has been wiped clean,” Wayne said.

He reached into his desk drawer and brought out her official black dispatch headset.

He laid the headset right on top of the open blue file.

“Console four’s cleared for the seven o’clock evening shift,” Wayne said.

Claire picked up the headset and checked the flexible cord for any damage.