Chapter 7: ## Chapter 7: The Man Inside My Company
The: The Man Inside My Company
The name on the spreadsheet belonged to David Whitmore name on the spreadsheet belonged to David Whitmore, the chief financial officer who had helped me build Carter Strategic Partners from a small consulting firm into a company worth, the chief financial officer who had helped me build Carter Strategic Partners from a small consulting firm into a company worth tens of millions of dollars.
He had attended my father's funeral.
He had sat at my kitchen table while tens of millions of dollars.
He had attended my father's funeral.
He had sat at my kitchen table while Mom served him homemade peach cobbler.
He had been Mom served him homemade peach cobbler.
He had been the first person to congratulate me when Marcus proposed.
And two days before that proposal, someone had authorized a $240,000 payment to the first person to congratulate me when Marcus proposed.
And two days before that proposal, someone had authorized a $240,000 payment to him under the description Shareholder Approval Facilitation.
I read the words until they stopped looking like words.
Then I called Robert Hayes.
He answered immediately him under the description Shareholder Approval Facilitation.
I read the words until they stopped looking like words.
Then I called Robert Hayes.
He answered immediately.
“Tell me you haven't confronted David,” he said.
“I.
“Tell me you haven't confronted David,” he said.
“I haven't spoken to him.””
“Good. Don't.””
“Robert, why would my CFO receive a haven't spoken to him.””
“Good. Don't.””
“Robert, why would my CFO receive a quarter of a million dollars to facilitate shareholder approval?””
“We don't know yet. The description is concerning, but it doesn't establish what quarter of a million dollars to facilitate shareholder approval?””
“We don't know yet. The description is concerning, but it doesn't establish what the payment was for or whether it was legitimate. We need the underlying records.””
“Can we freeze it the payment was for or whether it was legitimate. We need the underlying records.””
“Can we freeze it?””
“We can secure your company's accounts and review any remaining funds. We cannot simply reverse a completed payment without understanding the legal basis. I'm coordinating with the bank?””
“We can secure your company's accounts and review any remaining funds. We cannot simply reverse a completed payment without understanding the legal basis. I'm coordinating with the bank and Patricia now.””
I stood in the middle of my living room, gripping my phone.
“David has access to everything and Patricia now.””
I stood in the middle of my living room, gripping my phone.
“David has access to everything. Our financial records, shareholder information, internal approvals. If he's involved, how much.
Our financial records, shareholder information, internal approvals. If he's involved, how much has he seen?””
“Possibly more than we realize. That's why we're going to handle this carefully. has he seen?””
“Possibly more than we realize. That's why we're going to handle this carefully. The board will need to authorize appropriate safeguards, and we should restrict access where justified without The board will need to authorize appropriate safeguards, and we should restrict access where justified without destroying records or disrupting legitimate operations.””
“Do it.””
“I'll prepare the recommendations. One more thing, Nia. Don't destroying records or disrupting legitimate operations.””
“Do it.””
“I'll prepare the recommendations. One more thing, Nia. Don't assume that every person listed on the spreadsheet knowingly participated in wrongdoing. Some may have received legitimate payments.
Others may have been listed assume that every person listed on the spreadsheet knowingly participated in wrongdoing. Some may have received legitimate payments. Others may have been listed without understanding the purpose. We need evidence before we make accusations.””
“I understand.””
But understanding something without understanding the purpose. We need evidence before we make accusations.””
“I understand.””
But understanding something intellectually was different from accepting it emotionally.
I ended the call and stared at the family photograph on the bookshelf intellectually was different from accepting it emotionally.
I ended the call and stared at the family photograph on the bookshelf.
David was in the background of that photograph, standing beside my father at a company holiday.
David was in the background of that photograph, standing beside my father at a company holiday dinner years earlier. Dad had liked him. He had called David steady, the kind of man who could be trusted with dinner years earlier.
Dad had liked him. He had called David steady, the kind of man who could be trusted with a difficult decision.
I had repeated that judgment for years.
Had I been wrong about him, too?
My phone vibrated.
a difficult decision.
I had repeated that judgment for years.
Had I been wrong about him, too?
My phone vibrated.
A message from Peter.
Please don't call David yet. Marcus told him the review was coming.
I typed backA message from Peter.
Please don't call David yet. Marcus told him the review was coming.
I typed back.
How does Marcus know about the review?
The response arrived a moment later.
*Because David.
How does Marcus know about the review?
The response arrived a moment later.
Because David has been giving him updates.
My stomach dropped.
I forwarded the message to Robert.
Then I called Mom.
She answered from has been giving him updates.*
My stomach dropped.
I forwarded the message to Robert.
Then I called Mom.
She answered from her house.
“Baby? Are you all right?””
“I need you to come to the office her house.
“Baby? Are you all right?””
“I need you to come to the office tomorrow.””
“Why?””
“Because I may need someone there who remembers what this tomorrow.””
“Why?””
“Because I may need someone there who remembers what this company was supposed to stand for.””
She was quiet for a moment.
“Then I'll be there.””
At company was supposed to stand for.””
She was quiet for a moment.
“Then I'll be there.””
At 8:00 the next morning, I arrived at Carter Strategic Partners before most of the staff 8:00 the next morning, I arrived at Carter Strategic Partners before most of the staff.
The office smelled of fresh coffee and printer toner. The reception desk was decorated with white orchids.
The office smelled of fresh coffee and printer toner. The reception desk was decorated with white orchids, a gift from the team after we closed our biggest acquisition the, a gift from the team after we closed our biggest acquisition the previous year.
Everything looked normal.
That was the frightening part.
A company could appear perfectly healthy while someone quietly previous year.
Everything looked normal.
That was the frightening part.
A company could appear perfectly healthy while someone quietly removed the pieces holding it together.
Robert met me in the boardroom with Patricia Ellis and removed the pieces holding it together.
Robert met me in the boardroom with Patricia Ellis and two independent directors. We reviewed the spreadsheet, the disputed share-transfer documents two independent directors. We reviewed the spreadsheet, the disputed share-transfer documents, and the payment records.
Patricia placed a printed ledger in front of me.
“The, and the payment records.
Patricia placed a printed ledger in front of me.
“The $240,000 payment came from the venture's operating account,” she explained.
“The money originated from several $240,000 payment came from the venture's operating account,” she explained.
“The money originated from several deposits made by investors and founders. We haven't established that it came directly from your proposed investment.””
“Who approved it?””
“The payment record lists Marcus as the deposits made by investors and founders. We haven't established that it came directly from your proposed investment.””
“Who approved it?””
“The payment record lists Marcus as the initiator and David as the recipient. The supporting invoice was uploaded by Peter Lawson.””
“What did the invoice say?””
Patricia turned the page.
“Financial restructuring initiator and David as the recipient. The supporting invoice was uploaded by Peter Lawson.””
“What did the invoice say?””
Patricia turned the page.
“Financial restructuring advisory. It references shareholder coordination and transaction readiness.””
“Was advisory. It references shareholder coordination and transaction readiness.””
“Was there a contract?””
“A consulting agreement exists, but it is unusually broad. We're verifying whether the there a contract?””
“A consulting agreement exists, but it is unusually broad. We're verifying whether the work was performed and whether David disclosed the engagement to your company.””
One of the work was performed and whether David disclosed the engagement to your company.””
One of the directors, a woman named Helen Price, leaned forward.
“Did David have authority to provide outside consulting services directors, a woman named Helen Price, leaned forward.
“Did David have authority to provide outside consulting services to a company seeking an investment from us?””
“Not without disclosure,” I replied.
“Our conflict-of to a company seeking an investment from us?””
“Not without disclosure,” I replied.
“Our conflict-of-interest policy requires written approval.””
“Was approval given?””
Patricia shook her head.
“Not-interest policy requires written approval.””
“Was approval given?””
Patricia shook her head.
“Not in the records we've found.””
Helen removed her glasses.
“Then we have a potential undisclosed conflict. We need to establish whether he used in the records we've found.””
Helen removed her glasses.
“Then we have a potential undisclosed conflict. We need to establish whether he used company information or influence to benefit the venture.””
I looked at Robert.
“What are our options?””
“We can commission an independent review, temporarily restrict access to sensitive company information or influence to benefit the venture.””
I looked at Robert.
“What are our options?””
“We can commission an independent review, temporarily restrict access to sensitive transaction records, and require David to preserve all relevant communications. Any employment action should follow the transaction records, and require David to preserve all relevant communications. Any employment action should follow the company's policies and be based on the evidence we have.””
I nodded.
“Let's proceed.””
At 8:47, company's policies and be based on the evidence we have.””
I nodded.
“Let's proceed.””
At 8:47, Robert drafted the preservation notice.
At 9:02, the board approved temporary restrictions on access to the disputed transaction files.
At 9:15, Robert drafted the preservation notice.
At 9:02, the board approved temporary restrictions on access to the disputed transaction files.
At 9:15, Patricia requested the underlying records for every payment listed on Peter's spreadsheet.
Then, at 9:31 Patricia requested the underlying records for every payment listed on Peter's spreadsheet.
Then, at 9:31, David walked into the boardroom carrying a leather briefcase.
He looked from Robert to Patricia, David walked into the boardroom carrying a leather briefcase.
He looked from Robert to Patricia, then to the directors.
Finally, his eyes settled on me.
“What's going on?””
I gestured toward the empty chair.
“Sit down, David.””
He didn't sit, then to the directors.
Finally, his eyes settled on me.
“What's going on?””
I gestured toward the empty chair.
“Sit down, David.””
He didn't sit.
“I've just been told that my access to several financial systems has been restricted.””
“Tem.
“I've just been told that my access to several financial systems has been restricted.””
“Temporarily,” Robert said.
“The board is conducting an independent review of certain transactions.””
David gave aporarily,” Robert said.
“The board is conducting an independent review of certain transactions.””
David gave a short laugh.
“Which transactions?””
Patricia slid the payment record across the table.
His eyes moved short laugh.
“Which transactions?””
Patricia slid the payment record across the table.
His eyes moved over the page.
For one second, his face changed.
Then he placed the paper down.
“This is a consulting payment. It has nothing to do with Carter Strategic over the page.
For one second, his face changed.
Then he placed the paper down.
“This is a consulting payment. It has nothing to do with Carter Strategic Partners.””
“Did you disclose the engagement?”” Helen asked.
“I don't recall the specific approval process.””
I stared at him.
“You've been our Partners.””
“Did you disclose the engagement?”” Helen asked.
“I don't recall the specific approval process.””
I stared at him.
“You've been our CFO for six years. You know our disclosure policy.””
David turned toward me.
“Nia, this is an unfortunate misunderstanding. Marcus approached CFO for six years. You know our disclosure policy.””
David turned toward me.
“Nia, this is an unfortunate misunderstanding. Marcus approached me about some restructuring work. It was outside my responsibilities here.””
“Then why was your name me about some restructuring work. It was outside my responsibilities here.””
“Then why was your name on a payment described as shareholder approval facilitation?””
“That's accounting terminology. It doesn't mean what you on a payment described as shareholder approval facilitation?””
“That's accounting terminology. It doesn't mean what you think it means.””
“What does it mean?””
He opened his mouth, then closed it.
Patricia spoke calmly think it means.””
“What does it mean?””
He opened his mouth, then closed it.
Patricia spoke calmly.
“We're requesting the contract, invoices, work product, and communications associated with the payment. We also need to establish.
“We're requesting the contract, invoices, work product, and communications associated with the payment. We also need to establish whether any confidential company information was shared.””
David straightened his jacket.
“I won't be interrog whether any confidential company information was shared.””
David straightened his jacket.
“I won't be interrogated over an ordinary consulting arrangement.””
Helen's voice sharpened.
“This is a board-authorized review of a potential conflict. Youated over an ordinary consulting arrangement.””
Helen's voice sharpened.
“This is a board-authorized review of a potential conflict. You are being asked to provide records relevant to your employment and fiduciary responsibilities are being asked to provide records relevant to your employment and fiduciary responsibilities.””
David looked at me again.
“You're going to take the word of an outside consultant over mine?””
“No,” I said..””
David looked at me again.
“You're going to take the word of an outside consultant over mine?””
“No,” I said.
“I'm going to take the evidence over anyone's word, including yours.””
His jaw tightened.
“You've changed.””
“I'm going to take the evidence over anyone's word, including yours.””
His jaw tightened.
“You've changed.””
I felt something cold settle in my chest.
“No, David. I've started asking questions.””
He picked upI felt something cold settle in my chest.
“No, David. I've started asking questions.””
He picked up his briefcase.
“I'll have my attorney contact the board.””
“That's your right,” Robert said.
“Please preserve his briefcase.
“I'll have my attorney contact the board.””
“That's your right,” Robert said.
“Please preserve all relevant records and refrain from accessing the restricted files.””
David paused at the door.
Then he turned back toward me.
“Before you destroy a six-year relationship over a payment, ask yourself why Marcus would involve all relevant records and refrain from accessing the restricted files.””
David paused at the door.
Then he turned back toward me.
“Before you destroy a six-year relationship over a payment, ask yourself why Marcus would involve me in something illegal if he thought he could get away with it himself.””
I stood.
“What are you implying me in something illegal if he thought he could get away with it himself.””
I stood.
“What are you implying?””
David gave me a thin, humorless smile.
“Maybe you don't know Marcus as well as you think. Maybe you don't?””
David gave me a thin, humorless smile.
“Maybe you don't know Marcus as well as you think. Maybe you don't know me as well as you think, either.””
He left.
The door closed softly behind him.
Nobody spoke for several seconds.
Then Patricia gathered the payment records.
“We need to know me as well as you think, either.””
He left.
The door closed softly behind him.
Nobody spoke for several seconds.
Then Patricia gathered the payment records.
“We need to determine what work was actually performed.””
I looked at the empty chair.
“Find it determine what work was actually performed.””
I looked at the empty chair.
“Find it.””
By noon, the office had become a maze of interviews, financial records, and secure calls.
David had not returned.””
By noon, the office had become a maze of interviews, financial records, and secure calls.
David had not returned. His attorney had acknowledged receipt of the preservation notice but had not provided the requested documents.
Robert advised me not to contact him directly.
Meanwhile, Patricia's team had located a second. His attorney had acknowledged receipt of the preservation notice but had not provided the requested documents.
Robert advised me not to contact him directly.
Meanwhile, Patricia's team had located a second invoice associated with the same consulting agreement.
It described a series of meetings about investor relations invoice associated with the same consulting agreement.
It described a series of meetings about investor relations, governance, and ownership restructuring.
The first meeting had taken place six months before Marcus proposed.
The second had taken place shortly after our, governance, and ownership restructuring.
The first meeting had taken place six months before Marcus proposed.
The second had taken place shortly after our engagement.
The third had been scheduled for the week before the wedding.
I studied the calendar entries.
“Who attended the engagement.
The third had been scheduled for the week before the wedding.
I studied the calendar entries.
“Who attended the meetings?””
Patricia checked her notes.
“Marcus, David, and Danielle attended two meetings?””
Patricia checked her notes.
“Marcus, David, and Danielle attended two of them. Peter attended one.””
“And what was discussed?””
“We have agendas for two meetings of them. Peter attended one.””
“And what was discussed?””
“We have agendas for two meetings, but no minutes. The agendas refer to transaction structure, voting rights, and shareholder consent.””
I leaned back.
“How much did David, but no minutes. The agendas refer to transaction structure, voting rights, and shareholder consent.””
I leaned back.
“How much did David know about the proposed transfer?””
“We can't determine that from the agendas alone.””
I looked toward the window.
Marcus had not know about the proposed transfer?””
“We can't determine that from the agendas alone.””
I looked toward the window.
Marcus had not suddenly become desperate for control during the final week of our engagement. suddenly become desperate for control during the final week of our engagement. These conversations had begun months earlier.
The wedding had not created his plan.
It had merely brought These conversations had begun months earlier.
The wedding had not created his plan.
It had merely brought it close to completion.
At 12:26 p.m., Robert received a message from Peter.
It contained a short statement it close to completion.
At 12:26 p.m., Robert received a message from Peter.
It contained a short statement and a request for a secure meeting.
Peter wanted to explain how David had become involved.
We arranged and a request for a secure meeting.
Peter wanted to explain how David had become involved.
We arranged the meeting for that afternoon.
Peter arrived at four o'clock, looking as though the meeting for that afternoon.
Peter arrived at four o'clock, looking as though he hadn't slept.
He carried a small envelope and placed it on the conference table.
“Before I show you anything,” he hadn't slept.
He carried a small envelope and placed it on the conference table.
“Before I show you anything,” he said, “I want to make something clear. I approved some administrative steps that I he said, “I want to make something clear. I approved some administrative steps that I shouldn't have approved without better documentation.
I didn't create the false signature, and I didn't know the final ownership schedule was different from shouldn't have approved without better documentation. I didn't create the false signature, and I didn't know the final ownership schedule was different from the version Nia was shown.””
Robert folded his hands.
“We'll document your account and compare it with the records. If you participated in anything improper the version Nia was shown.””
Robert folded his hands.
“We'll document your account and compare it with the records. If you participated in anything improper, we need you to be truthful about that as well.””
Peter nodded.
He opened the envelope.
Inside were printed emails, meeting notes, and a handwritten, we need you to be truthful about that as well.””
Peter nodded.
He opened the envelope.
Inside were printed emails, meeting notes, and a handwritten page.
“I found this in a folder David left in the shared transaction workspace,” he explained.
“I wasn't page.
“I found this in a folder David left in the shared transaction workspace,” he explained.
“I wasn't searching for private information. I was reviewing the records Marcus asked me to preserve, and this document was attached to the searching for private information. I was reviewing the records Marcus asked me to preserve, and this document was attached to the transaction file.””
I picked it up.
The page contained a list of proposed transaction file.””
I picked it up.
The page contained a list of proposed responsibilities.
Marcus: venture leadership.
David: shareholder coordination.
Danielle: legal documentation.
Brianna: family liaison.
I stared at the final entry responsibilities.
Marcus: venture leadership.
David: shareholder coordination.
Danielle: legal documentation.
Brianna: family liaison.
I stared at the final entry.
“Family liaison?””
Peter nodded.
“Marcus said Brianna would help keep personal disagreements from interfering with the transaction.””
.
“Family liaison?””
Peter nodded.
“Marcus said Brianna would help keep personal disagreements from interfering with the transaction.””
“By cutting my mother's hair?””
“No. I didn't know about the scissors. I thought he meant she'd handle family conversations.””
“Did you“By cutting my mother's hair?””
“No. I didn't know about the scissors. I thought he meant she'd handle family conversations.””
“Did you know he planned to pressure my mother?””
Peter looked down.
“I knew he wanted her to stop influencing you. I didn't know how far he intended to go.””
I placed know he planned to pressure my mother?””
Peter looked down.
“I knew he wanted her to stop influencing you. I didn't know how far he intended to go.””
I placed the page on the table.
“What about David?””
Peter slid an email toward me.
It was from David to Marcus, the page on the table.
“What about David?””
Peter slid an email toward me.
It was from David to Marcus, dated two months earlier.
*If Nia remains the sole decision-maker, the venture will never have dated two months earlier.
If Nia remains the sole decision-maker, the venture will never have the control you need. We need a structure that gives you voting influence without requiring her to understand every detail of the transfer.
I felt my the control you need. We need a structure that gives you voting influence without requiring her to understand every detail of the transfer.*
I felt my throat tighten.
Below it, Marcus had replied:
That's why I'm marrying her.
For several seconds, I could throat tighten.
Below it, Marcus had replied:
That's why I'm marrying her.
For several seconds, I could not move.
The room seemed to lose all its air.
Robert took the email and examined the headers.
Peter not move.
The room seemed to lose all its air.
Robert took the email and examined the headers.
Peter spoke quietly.
“I didn't see that message until yesterday.””
I stared at the words.
That's why I'm marrying her.
I had imagined many spoke quietly.
“I didn't see that message until yesterday.””
I stared at the words.
That's why I'm marrying her.
I had imagined many possible explanations for Marcus's behavior.
Greed.
Fear.
Entitlement.
A desire to impress his family.
But this was different.
The possible explanations for Marcus's behavior.
Greed.
Fear.
Entitlement.
A desire to impress his family.
But this was different.
The man who had proposed to me had apparently described our marriage as a way to gain influence over my company.
I pressed my palms against man who had proposed to me had apparently described our marriage as a way to gain influence over my company.
I pressed my palms against the table.
“Is this authentic?”” I asked Robert.
“We need to verify the original message and its metadata. If authenticated, it would the table.
“Is this authentic?”” I asked Robert.
“We need to verify the original message and its metadata. If authenticated, it would be highly significant.””
I nodded, unable to speak.
Peter pushed another page toward me.
“This is the meeting agenda from the be highly significant.””
I nodded, unable to speak.
Peter pushed another page toward me.
“This is the meeting agenda from the week before the proposal. David had a list of questions for Marcus about your company's governance.””
I read the week before the proposal. David had a list of questions for Marcus about your company's governance.””
I read the first few lines.
Then I reached the bottom.
There was a handwritten note beside the agenda.
*Once the relationship is formalized, Nia will be less likely to challenge changes first few lines.
Then I reached the bottom.
There was a handwritten note beside the agenda.
Once the relationship is formalized, Nia will be less likely to challenge changes that benefit the family.
The note was in David's handwriting, according to Peter.
that benefit the family.*
The note was in David's handwriting, according to Peter.
I looked at Robert.
“Preserve it.””
“We will.””
Peter sat back.
“I know I should have spoken sooner.””
“YesI looked at Robert.
“Preserve it.””
“We will.””
Peter sat back.
“I know I should have spoken sooner.””
“Yes,” I said.
He nodded, accepting the answer.
“I don't expect you to forgive me.””
“Good,” I said.
He nodded, accepting the answer.
“I don't expect you to forgive me.””
“Good. Because this isn't about forgiveness yet.””
He looked at me.
“Then what is it about?””
I folded the page and. Because this isn't about forgiveness yet.””
He looked at me.
“Then what is it about?””
I folded the page and placed it back in the envelope.
“The truth.””
At 6:10 p.m., Mom arrived at my placed it back in the envelope.
“The truth.””
At 6:10 p.m., Mom arrived at my office.
She had brought a small container of food and a spare cardigan because she office.
She had brought a small container of food and a spare cardigan because she knew I would forget both if I became absorbed in work.
She found me alone in the boardroom, staring at the printed email.
“Baby?””
I knew I would forget both if I became absorbed in work.
She found me alone in the boardroom, staring at the printed email.
“Baby?””
I looked up.
She set the container on the table.
“What's happened now?””
I handed looked up.
She set the container on the table.
“What's happened now?””
I handed her the page.
She read it.
When she reached the sentence about marrying me, her fingers trembled.
“Oh, Nia.””
I her the page.
She read it.
When she reached the sentence about marrying me, her fingers trembled.
“Oh, Nia.””
I looked away.
“I don't understand how I could have missed it.””
Mom sat looked away.
“I don't understand how I could have missed it.””
Mom sat beside me.
“You didn't miss everything. You saw the good in him. You gave him a chance to be the man he said he was.””
“But I defended him. I told you I believed him.””
beside me.
“You didn't miss everything. You saw the good in him. You gave him a chance to be the man he said he was.””
“But I defended him. I told you I believed him.””
“You believed someone you loved.””
“I nearly signed away control“You believed someone you loved.””
“I nearly signed away control of my company.””
“But you didn't.””
Her voice was firm.
“You asked questions. You listened when of my company.””
“But you didn't.””
Her voice was firm.
“You asked questions. You listened when the answers stopped making sense. You stopped before the damage became worse.””
I swallowed.
“What if the answers stopped making sense. You stopped before the damage became worse.””
I swallowed.
“What if there are more people involved?””
“Then you find them.””
“What if the company suffers?””
“Then you rebuild what needs rebuilding.””
“What if I never trust anyone like that again?””
Mom there are more people involved?””
“Then you find them.””
“What if the company suffers?””
“Then you rebuild what needs rebuilding.””
“What if I never trust anyone like that again?””
Mom took my face in her hands.
“Then you learn to trust with your eyes open. You don't have to become hard to become took my face in her hands.
“Then you learn to trust with your eyes open. You don't have to become hard to become wise.””
Tears slipped down my cheeks.
She wiped them away with her thumbs.
“I raised you wise.””
Tears slipped down my cheeks.
She wiped them away with her thumbs.
“I raised you to be kind,” she whispered.
“Not to be available for people to use.””
I leaned into her embrace.
For several to be kind,” she whispered.
“Not to be available for people to use.””
I leaned into her embrace.
For several minutes, I let myself cry.
Then my phone rang.
Robert.
I answered.
“Nia, we have a new minutes, I let myself cry.
Then my phone rang.
Robert.
I answered.
“Nia, we have a new development.””
I straightened.
“What is it?””
“The independent review has located a message from David to Marcus that appears to development.””
I straightened.
“What is it?””
“The independent review has located a message from David to Marcus that appears to connect the consulting payment to the proposed ownership transfer. We're still authenticating the records, but the message refers connect the consulting payment to the proposed ownership transfer. We're still authenticating the records, but the message refers to the $240,000 as compensation for facilitating shareholder approval.””
I closed my eyes.
“And the money?””
“Pat to the $240,000 as compensation for facilitating shareholder approval.””
I closed my eyes.
“And the money?””
“Patricia is tracing the payment and reviewing whether the services were actually provided.””
“What's next?””
Robert paused.
“There's a secondricia is tracing the payment and reviewing whether the services were actually provided.””
“What's next?””
Robert paused.
“There's a second issue. The records show that someone accessed your personal shareholder file last night, after we issued issue. The records show that someone accessed your personal shareholder file last night, after we issued the preservation notices.””
My blood ran cold.
“Who?””
“We're checking the access logs. The activity came through a remote the preservation notices.””
My blood ran cold.
“Who?””
“We're checking the access logs. The activity came through a remote session linked to an account associated with your office.””
“Whose account?””
Robert's session linked to an account associated with your office.””
“Whose account?””
Robert's voice lowered.
“Your own.””
I stared at the phone.
Someone had accessed my shareholder file using credentials associated with me.
Someone who voice lowered.
“Your own.””
I stared at the phone.
Someone had accessed my shareholder file using credentials associated with me.
Someone who might still have access to information that could be used to hurt my company.
“Robert,” I whispered, “find out what they took.””
“I might still have access to information that could be used to hurt my company.
“Robert,” I whispered, “find out what they took.””
“I will.””
After the call ended, I looked at Mom.
She had heard enough to understand.
“Can they still get to your records?””
“I'm will.””
After the call ended, I looked at Mom.
She had heard enough to understand.
“Can they still get to your records?””
“I'm working on it.””
She reached for my hand.
“Then let's make sure they can't.””
I turned back to my laptop.
A new notification had appeared.
working on it.””
She reached for my hand.
“Then let's make sure they can't.””
I turned back to my laptop.
A new notification had appeared.
It was an automated alert from the company's security system.
*SHAREHOLDER RECORD EXPORT COMPLETED.*
The exportIt was an automated alert from the company's security system.
*SHAREHOLDER RECORD EXPORT COMPLETED.*
The export had occurred at 2:13 a.m.
The previous night.
And the destination was a private email address belonging to Brianna.
had occurred at 2:13 a.m.
May you like
The previous night.
And the destination was a private email address belonging to Brianna.
