I stopped for a stranded family during a storm and paid to have their vehicle towed. The father shook my hand before they left. By morning, my boss had written me up for the delay. Two weeks later, he called me into his office. The exact same man was sitting across from his desk.
Apex’s regional general manager, Rachel Torres, was sitting there. So was Julian Hayes.
He stood up the second I walked in. “Marcus,” he said warmly. “Lily wanted me to tell you that her flashlight still works.”
I smiled, completely shocked to see him there. “How’s the SUV?” “Needed a new alternator and battery. But everyone made it home safe.”
Rachel gestured for me to take a chair. Julian had a manila folder resting on his lap, and when he flipped it open, I recognized the corporate logo printed at the top of the first page.
Hayes Tech Solutions.
It was the exact company whose shipment I had been hauling that rainy night.
“I’m the founder of Hayes Tech,” Julian said. “Your truck was transporting our inventory to our Detroit warehouse.”
I glanced over at Victor. He kept his eyes glued to his desk blotter.
Julian continued. “I remembered the Apex Freight logo on the side of your truck, and the tow receipt had your full name on it.
Once we were finally settled at home, I called your dispatch office because I wanted to formally thank you and make absolutely sure the delay hadn’t caused you any trouble.”He had given the dispatcher answering the phones only his first name and asked to speak directly with Marcus’s supervisor. Victor had fielded the call.