Chapter 16 - THE EXECUTIVES THREAT
Graham Voss did not look like a man on leave.
He looked like a man accustomed to making other people leave.
His attorneys took positions beside the door, and Curtis straightened as if his supervisor had arrived to save him.
"This meeting is improper," Graham announced.
"You are attempting to influence employees during a pending transaction."
Daniel remained seated.
"Then let's ensure everyone has counsel and a written record."
Maya placed her notebook on the table.
Graham's expression flickered.
"The company has internal processes."
"Those processes generated a forged confession," Maya said.
Curtis snapped, "That document was provided to me."
"By whom?" she asked.
He looked at Graham.
Graham looked away.
The silence answered more than either man intended, though it proved nothing by itself.
Daniel made it clear that Whitcomb Capital would not complete any purchase without an independent review of the disputed liabilities.
He also said the audit committee, not he personally, would decide how to handle executive discipline.
"You don't own this company," Graham said.
"Not yet," Daniel replied.
"And I won't buy a problem that people are still trying to hide."
Graham leaned toward me.
"You are destroying careers over one minor scheduling incident."
I felt the old reflex to apologize for taking up space.
Then I remembered Owen struggling to breathe and Tasha standing outside her apartment in a blanket.
"I stopped for two children on an icy highway," I said.
"Everything after that was a choice your managers made."
Curtis's jaw tightened.
"You think you're going to take my job?"
"No. I want my record corrected."
"You're lying."
"Then produce the original records."
Daniel lifted a sealed packet.
"The auditors have them."
Graham's attorneys exchanged a glance.
One asked for an immediate recess.
Before anyone stood, Elaine Price stepped into the doorway with an independent investigator.
Her face was pale, but her voice held steady.
"I need the record to reflect that the confession was prepared using Caleb's personnel signature file."
Curtis turned on her.
"Elaine, don't be stupid."
She flinched.
Then she said, "You told me to do it."
Graham pushed back his chair.
"We're done here."
The investigator blocked no exit and made no accusation.
He simply handed Graham a formal notice requiring preservation of relevant company records.
Curtis turned toward Daniel with raw panic in his eyes.
"You can't let her say that."
"I don't control her testimony," Daniel replied.
Elaine reached into her bag and placed a second envelope on the desk.
"There's more."
Inside was a handwritten list of account numbers and monthly transfers.
At the bottom was a notation identifying someone who had received money outside the vendor system.
The name made even Daniel sit forward.
May you like
It belonged to a member of Halden's board.
