With Frank's sudden absence, word has filtered down from the higher ups that the project your department was working on has been 'rescoped'. That's a terrible word and it only means one thing. That your suspicions were right and Frank's departure was only the first in a long line of sudden and difficult changes. If a project you are working on gets shelved and another one is not immediately presented to you, that is a very, very bad sign. Under these circumstances, the best thing to do is find a higher up and subtly suggest a brand new project. If that is meant with a resounding 'We'll think about it.' then it's time to get out of the kitchen as fast as you can. If you are literally in a kitchen, then that is even better. It will make your escape to newer pastures even easier. Kitchens are notoriously open.
