Chapter 9: The Woman Who Refused to Stay Silent
Eleanor Whitmore sat on the edge of the sofa, staring at the email.
Her husband, David, stood near the fireplace.
Richard remainedmore sat on the edge of the sofa, staring at the email.
Her husband, David, stood near the fireplace.
Richard remained opposite them.
Nobody spoke for almost a minute.
Finally, Eleanor whispered:
“I thought you said that matter had been resolved.””
David turned toward her.
“It was resolved.””
Richard looked at him.
“Was the employee paid to opposite them.
Nobody spoke for almost a minute.
Finally, Eleanor whispered:
“I thought you said that matter had been resolved.””
David turned toward her.
“It was resolved.””
Richard looked at him.
“Was the employee paid to withdraw her complaint?””
David's jaw tightened.
“She received compensation for an employment dispute.””
“What dispute?””
“An internal disagreement.””
“Did you threaten withdraw her complaint?””
David's jaw tightened.
“She received compensation for an employment dispute.””
“What dispute?””
“An internal disagreement.””
“Did you threaten her?””
David exhaled sharply.
“Richard, you're making this sound criminal.””
“I'm asking a simple question.””
David walked toward the window.
“The woman was her?””
David exhaled sharply.
“Richard, you're making this sound criminal.””
“I'm asking a simple question.””
David walked toward the window.
“The woman was becoming difficult. She refused to cooperate with a VIP request and then started making accusations.””
Richard's expression hardened.
“What was the request?””
David hesitated.
becoming difficult. She refused to cooperate with a VIP request and then started making accusations.””
Richard's expression hardened.
“What was the request?””
David hesitated.
“I had guests arriving. They needed access to a private suite.””
“Did they have a reservation?””
“That wasn't the issue.””
“Did they have authorization?””
“I had guests arriving. They needed access to a private suite.””
“Did they have a reservation?””
“That wasn't the issue.””
“Did they have authorization?””
David turned.
“I was helping friends.””
Richard shook his head.
“You were asking employees to ignore hotel procedures.””
David threwDavid turned.
“I was helping friends.””
Richard shook his head.
“You were asking employees to ignore hotel procedures.””
David threw up his hands.
“That's how business works sometimes!””
Eleanor looked at him.
“David, stop.””
He turned toward her.
“What?””
“Just tell him up his hands.
“That's how business works sometimes!””
Eleanor looked at him.
“David, stop.””
He turned toward her.
“What?””
“Just tell him what happened.””
David stared.
Eleanor's voice trembled.
“I know about the employee.””
Richard looked at his what happened.””
David stared.
Eleanor's voice trembled.
“I know about the employee.””
Richard looked at his sister.
“You do?””
She nodded slowly.
“Her name was Simone Ellis. She worked in guest services. She came to our house eight months sister.
“You do?””
She nodded slowly.
“Her name was Simone Ellis. She worked in guest services. She came to our house eight months ago.””
David's face tightened.
“Eleanor.””
She ignored him.
“She was frightened. She told me David had threatened her job after she refused to give his friends access to ago.””
David's face tightened.
“Eleanor.””
She ignored him.
“She was frightened. She told me David had threatened her job after she refused to give his friends access to a restricted area.””
Richard stepped closer.
“What did you do?””
Eleanor wiped her eyes.
“I listened.””
David laughed bitterly.
“You listened to a disgruntled employee?””
Eleanor turned toward him.
“She showed me the a restricted area.””
Richard stepped closer.
“What did you do?””
Eleanor wiped her eyes.
“I listened.””
David laughed bitterly.
“You listened to a disgruntled employee?””
Eleanor turned toward him.
“She showed me the messages.””
“What messages?””
“The ones you sent her.””
David's face went white.
Eleanor continued.
“You told her that if she embarrassed you, she would messages.””
“What messages?””
“The ones you sent her.””
David's face went white.
Eleanor continued.
“You told her that if she embarrassed you, she would never work in another luxury hotel.””
Richard looked at David.
“Is that true?””
David rubbed his forehead.
“I was angry.””
“Did you threaten her?””
David never work in another luxury hotel.””
Richard looked at David.
“Is that true?””
David rubbed his forehead.
“I was angry.””
“Did you threaten her?””
David didn't answer.
Eleanor stood.
“I asked you to apologize to her. You told me the matter was handled.””
“It was.””
didn't answer.
Eleanor stood.
“I asked you to apologize to her. You told me the matter was handled.””
“It was.””
“No, David. You paid her to sign an agreement.””
David's voice rose.
“Because she was threatening to destroy my reputation!””
Eleanor“No, David. You paid her to sign an agreement.””
David's voice rose.
“Because she was threatening to destroy my reputation!””
Eleanor shook her head.
“She was trying to protect her job.””
Richard watched his sister carefully.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
Eleanor looked down.
“Because David shook her head.
“She was trying to protect her job.””
Richard watched his sister carefully.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
Eleanor looked down.
“Because David told me the complaint had been withdrawn. He said it was a misunderstanding.””
Richard's expression softened.
“Eleanor, you could told me the complaint had been withdrawn. He said it was a misunderstanding.””
Richard's expression softened.
“Eleanor, you could have called me.””
“I know.””
She began crying harder.
“I didn't want to believe my husband was capable of something like this.””
David stepped toward her.
“Don't have called me.””
“I know.””
She began crying harder.
“I didn't want to believe my husband was capable of something like this.””
David stepped toward her.
“Don't turn this into a marriage issue.””
Eleanor backed away.
“You made it a marriage issue when you asked me to lie.””
David turn this into a marriage issue.””
Eleanor backed away.
“You made it a marriage issue when you asked me to lie.””
David looked furious.
“I'm not asking you to lie!””
“You told me Simone was unstable. You told me she had looked furious.
“I'm not asking you to lie!””
“You told me Simone was unstable. You told me she had fabricated everything. And then I saw the messages.””
Richard picked up the email.
“Where is Simone now?””
Eleanor looked at him.
“I don't know. fabricated everything. And then I saw the messages.””
Richard picked up the email.
“Where is Simone now?””
Eleanor looked at him.
“I don't know. She moved away after leaving the hotel.””
“Do you have her contact information?””
“I have her old number.””
Richard nodded.
“Give it to the independent She moved away after leaving the hotel.””
“Do you have her contact information?””
“I have her old number.””
Richard nodded.
“Give it to the independent investigators. They need to speak with her.””
David immediately objected.
“Absolutely not.””
Richard turned.
“Why?””
“Because she's no longer employed by the company. This has nothing to do with her now.””
Richard looked at him.
“She was allegedly investigators. They need to speak with her.””
David immediately objected.
“Absolutely not.””
Richard turned.
“Why?””
“Because she's no longer employed by the company. This has nothing to do with her now.””
Richard looked at him.
“She was allegedly threatened by someone connected to the company. It has everything to do with her.””
David stepped closer.
“Richard, think carefully. You're allowing threatened by someone connected to the company. It has everything to do with her.””
David stepped closer.
“Richard, think carefully. You're allowing one incident to destroy years of family relationships.””
Richard's expression didn't change.
“You keep confusing accountability with destruction one incident to destroy years of family relationships.””
Richard's expression didn't change.
“You keep confusing accountability with destruction.””
David lowered his voice.
“You think Thomas is going to protect you? He's already protecting himself. And Gregory? He'll tell the investigators whatever.””
David lowered his voice.
“You think Thomas is going to protect you? He's already protecting himself. And Gregory? He'll tell the investigators whatever they want to hear.””
Richard studied him.
“What do you know about Gregory's arrangements with Thomas?””
David hesitated.
That hesitation told they want to hear.””
Richard studied him.
“What do you know about Gregory's arrangements with Thomas?””
David hesitated.
That hesitation told Richard everything.
“David.””
David looked away.
“I introduced them.””
Eleanor covered her mouth.
Richard stared at him.
“You introduced Gregory to Thomas?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
“Because Gregory wanted access to the hospitality Richard everything.
“David.””
David looked away.
“I introduced them.””
Eleanor covered her mouth.
Richard stared at him.
“You introduced Gregory to Thomas?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
“Because Gregory wanted access to the hospitality division. He was interested in several investment opportunities.””
“And the payments?””
“I didn't arrange those.””
“Did you know about them?””
David remained division. He was interested in several investment opportunities.””
“And the payments?””
“I didn't arrange those.””
“Did you know about them?””
David remained silent.
Richard took a slow breath.
“Then we're finished talking until the investigators contact you.””
David stepped forward.
“You can't do silent.
Richard took a slow breath.
“Then we're finished talking until the investigators contact you.””
David stepped forward.
“You can't do that.””
“I just did.””
Richard turned toward Eleanor.
“Call me if you need anything.””
She nodded through her tears.
As that.””
“I just did.””
Richard turned toward Eleanor.
“Call me if you need anything.””
She nodded through her tears.
As he reached the front door, David called after him.
“Richard!””
Richard stopped.
David's voice had changed.
It was no longer angry.
It was frightened.
“You don't understand what Thomas he reached the front door, David called after him.
“Richard!””
Richard stopped.
David's voice had changed.
It was no longer angry.
It was frightened.
“You don't understand what Thomas has.””
Richard turned.
“What does he have?””
David swallowed.
“Documents. Old agreements. Financial arrangements involving the original acquisition of the Grand Meridian.””
Richard's eyes narrowed.
“What about has.””
Richard turned.
“What does he have?””
David swallowed.
“Documents. Old agreements. Financial arrangements involving the original acquisition of the Grand Meridian.””
Richard's eyes narrowed.
“What about them?””
David looked toward Eleanor.
Then whispered:
“Your signature is on some of them.””
The next morning, Richard returned to Whit them?””
David looked toward Eleanor.
Then whispered:
“Your signature is on some of them.””
The next morning, Richard returned to Whitmore Global Holdings headquarters.
He had barely slept.
The building's executive floor was quiet, except for the soft clicking of keyboardsmore Global Holdings headquarters.
He had barely slept.
The building's executive floor was quiet, except for the soft clicking of keyboards and the distant hum of the elevators.
Jonathan was waiting outside the boardroom.
“Mr. Whitmore.””
Richard handed him his coat.
“Have the investigators contacted Simone Ellis?””
“Yes. She and the distant hum of the elevators.
Jonathan was waiting outside the boardroom.
“Mr. Whitmore.””
Richard handed him his coat.
“Have the investigators contacted Simone Ellis?””
“Yes. She has agreed to provide a statement.””
“Good.””
Jonathan hesitated.
“There's something else.””
Richard looked at him.
“Tell me.””
“The original acquisition records contain a series of payments that has agreed to provide a statement.””
“Good.””
Jonathan hesitated.
“There's something else.””
Richard looked at him.
“Tell me.””
“The original acquisition records contain a series of payments that were not disclosed in the standard ownership summary.””
Richard frowned.
“Payments to whom?””
“Several consulting entities. One of them is Northbridge Advisory.””
Richard were not disclosed in the standard ownership summary.””
Richard frowned.
“Payments to whom?””
“Several consulting entities. One of them is Northbridge Advisory.””
Richard closed his eyes.
Thomas had been involved in the acquisition from the beginning.
“Who approved the payments?””
Jonathan opened a folder.
“Your signature appears on the master authorization.””
Richard took the closed his eyes.
Thomas had been involved in the acquisition from the beginning.
“Who approved the payments?””
Jonathan opened a folder.
“Your signature appears on the master authorization.””
Richard took the document.
He recognized the signature.
It was his.
But the amount was significantly larger than he remembered.
He looked at Jonathan.
“I don't remember approving this.””
document.
He recognized the signature.
It was his.
But the amount was significantly larger than he remembered.
He looked at Jonathan.
“I don't remember approving this.””
“Legal believes the document may have been attached to a larger batch of acquisition papers.””
Richard studied the signature.
“Was it altered“Legal believes the document may have been attached to a larger batch of acquisition papers.””
Richard studied the signature.
“Was it altered?””
“We don't know yet.””
Richard walked into the boardroom.
Three independent investigators were waiting.
One introduced herself as Patricia Lewis?””
“We don't know yet.””
Richard walked into the boardroom.
Three independent investigators were waiting.
One introduced herself as Patricia Lewis, a senior corporate compliance attorney.
“Mr. Whitmore, we've reviewed the recovered records.””
Richard sat down.
“What have you found?””
Patricia opened her laptop.
“We have, a senior corporate compliance attorney.
“Mr. Whitmore, we've reviewed the recovered records.””
Richard sat down.
“What have you found?””
Patricia opened her laptop.
“We have evidence that the guest-profile directive was approved by Thomas Whitaker. We also have financial records showing payments from the Harrington Group to Northbridge Advisory.””
Richard nodded.
“And evidence that the guest-profile directive was approved by Thomas Whitaker. We also have financial records showing payments from the Harrington Group to Northbridge Advisory.””
Richard nodded.
“And David?””
“We have his communications with Thomas and evidence relating to the complaint made by Simone Ellis.””
“Did she confirm the threats?””
Patricia nodded.
“She David?””
“We have his communications with Thomas and evidence relating to the complaint made by Simone Ellis.””
“Did she confirm the threats?””
Patricia nodded.
“She provided copies of the original messages.””
“Good.””
Patricia turned another page.
“However, the acquisition records raise a separate question.””
Richard leaned forward.
“What question?””
“Whether provided copies of the original messages.””
“Good.””
Patricia turned another page.
“However, the acquisition records raise a separate question.””
Richard leaned forward.
“What question?””
“Whether funds were diverted through the consulting entities before the hotel was fully integrated into your ownership structure.””
Richard stared at her.
“Are you saying someone stole money?””
funds were diverted through the consulting entities before the hotel was fully integrated into your ownership structure.””
Richard stared at her.
“Are you saying someone stole money?””
“Potentially. We need to verify the original transaction records.””
Patricia placed a printed bank statement on the table.
“This“Potentially. We need to verify the original transaction records.””
Patricia placed a printed bank statement on the table.
“This is a transfer made two weeks before the acquisition closed.””
Richard examined it.
The payment had been authorized through a holding company.
The recipient was Northbridge Advisory.
And the reference line read:
*Executive transition services is a transfer made two weeks before the acquisition closed.””
Richard examined it.
The payment had been authorized through a holding company.
The recipient was Northbridge Advisory.
And the reference line read:
Executive transition services.
Richard looked up.
“Who owned Northbridge at the time?””
Patricia answered.
“Thomas Whitaker's business associate.*
Richard looked up.
“Who owned Northbridge at the time?””
Patricia answered.
“Thomas Whitaker's business associate. But the ownership structure changed six months later.””
“To whom?””
Patricia turned her laptop around.
A company registration appeared.
The listed. But the ownership structure changed six months later.””
“To whom?””
Patricia turned her laptop around.
A company registration appeared.
The listed director was Gregory Harrington.
Richard leaned back.
“So Thomas and Gregory were partners before the hotel acquisition.””
“That's what the records suggest.””
Richard stared at the screen.
director was Gregory Harrington.
Richard leaned back.
“So Thomas and Gregory were partners before the hotel acquisition.””
“That's what the records suggest.””
Richard stared at the screen.
For twenty-three years, he had believed Thomas was protecting his company.
Instead, Thomas may have been using his company to protect a private financial arrangement.
“Continue,” Richard said.
Patricia opened another file.
“We also discovered an internal complaint submitted by a former hotelFor twenty-three years, he had believed Thomas was protecting his company.
Instead, Thomas may have been using his company to protect a private financial arrangement.
“Continue,” Richard said.
Patricia opened another file.
“We also discovered an internal complaint submitted by a former hotel employee named Simone Ellis. Her complaint was never included in the original corporate incident database.””
“Where was it stored?””
“In an executive email archive.””
“Whose archive?””
Patricia hesitated.
“Thomas Whitaker's.””
Richard's expression hardened.
“Read it.””
Pat employee named Simone Ellis. Her complaint was never included in the original corporate incident database.””
“Where was it stored?””
“In an executive email archive.””
“Whose archive?””
Patricia hesitated.
“Thomas Whitaker's.””
Richard's expression hardened.
“Read it.””
Patricia opened the email.
The message was dated eight months earlier.
Simone had written that she had witnessed David Whitmore demanding special treatment for several guests.
ricia opened the email.
The message was dated eight months earlier.
Simone had written that she had witnessed David Whitmore demanding special treatment for several guests.
She had refused to provide unauthorized access.
David allegedly threatened to have her dismissed.
The complaint then included a second allegation.
Simone claimed that Marcus Bell had instructed her to follow specific guests through the hotel based on their appearance.
RichardShe had refused to provide unauthorized access.
David allegedly threatened to have her dismissed.
The complaint then included a second allegation.
Simone claimed that Marcus Bell had instructed her to follow specific guests through the hotel based on their appearance.
Richard closed his eyes.
The pattern was becoming impossible to ignore.
Patricia continued.
“There is also closed his eyes.
The pattern was becoming impossible to ignore.
Patricia continued.
“There is also a response from Thomas.””
She read it aloud.
The employee's concerns should not be elevated. The executive relationship is sensitive, and the matter should be contained at property level.
Richard looked at her.
“Did he know about the racial profiling?””
“Based a response from Thomas.””
She read it aloud.
The employee's concerns should not be elevated. The executive relationship is sensitive, and the matter should be contained at property level.
Richard looked at her.
“Did he know about the racial profiling?””
“Based on the correspondence, he was informed of it.””
The room fell silent.
Richard slowly pushed the document away.
“Then he knowingly allowed it.””
Patricia nodded.
“We have sufficient on the correspondence, he was informed of it.””
The room fell silent.
Richard slowly pushed the document away.
“Then he knowingly allowed it.””
Patricia nodded.
“We have sufficient grounds to recommend his immediate removal from executive responsibilities while the investigation continues.””
Richard stood.
“Do it.””
Patricia closed her laptop.
“There's one more matter.””
Richard looked at grounds to recommend his immediate removal from executive responsibilities while the investigation continues.””
Richard stood.
“Do it.””
Patricia closed her laptop.
“There's one more matter.””
Richard looked at her.
“What?””
“We contacted the former employee who initially reported the policy concerns. Alicia Grant.””
“And her.
“What?””
“We contacted the former employee who initially reported the policy concerns. Alicia Grant.””
“And?””
“She has agreed to provide testimony. But she also gave us the name of another employee who helped create the original guest-profile list.””
Richard?””
“She has agreed to provide testimony. But she also gave us the name of another employee who helped create the original guest-profile list.””
Richard waited.
Patricia glanced at her notes.
“Her name is Simone Ellis.””
Richard frowned.
“Simone was the person who complained about David.””
“Yes.””
“Then why is she listed as helping create the policy?””
Patricia shook her head.
“She waited.
Patricia glanced at her notes.
“Her name is Simone Ellis.””
Richard frowned.
“Simone was the person who complained about David.””
“Yes.””
“Then why is she listed as helping create the policy?””
Patricia shook her head.
“She wasn't. She discovered the original list and copied it before leaving the hotel.””
Richard leaned forward.
“Does she still have it?””
Patricia nodded.
“She says she does.””
Richard looked at Jonathan.
“Arrange a meeting.””
wasn't. She discovered the original list and copied it before leaving the hotel.””
Richard leaned forward.
“Does she still have it?””
Patricia nodded.
“She says she does.””
Richard looked at Jonathan.
“Arrange a meeting.””
That afternoon, Simone Ellis arrived at Whitmore Global Holdings.
She was thirty-four, with short natural hair, a navy blazer, and a leather folder tucked beneath her arm.
She***
That afternoon, Simone Ellis arrived at Whitmore Global Holdings.
She was thirty-four, with short natural hair, a navy blazer, and a leather folder tucked beneath her arm.
She looked nervous when she entered the conference room.
Richard stood.
“Ms. Ellis. Thank you for coming.””
Simone shook his hand.
“Thank you for listening.””
Richard gestured toward a chair.
“Please sit.””
looked nervous when she entered the conference room.
Richard stood.
“Ms. Ellis. Thank you for coming.””
Simone shook his hand.
“Thank you for listening.””
Richard gestured toward a chair.
“Please sit.””
Simone placed the folder on the table.
“I kept these documents because I knew someone would eventually need them.””
She opened it.
Inside were printed emails, handwritten notes, and several pages containing namesSimone placed the folder on the table.
“I kept these documents because I knew someone would eventually need them.””
She opened it.
Inside were printed emails, handwritten notes, and several pages containing names and dates.
Richard studied the first sheet.
It was a guest list.
Not a reservation list.
Not a VIP list.
A list of individuals who were to and dates.
Richard studied the first sheet.
It was a guest list.
Not a reservation list.
Not a VIP list.
A list of individuals who were to receive additional scrutiny when entering certain hotel areas.
Beside several names were notes describing their clothing, perceived income level, and appearance.
Richard's face hardened.
“Who created this?””
Simone answered receive additional scrutiny when entering certain hotel areas.
Beside several names were notes describing their clothing, perceived income level, and appearance.
Richard's face hardened.
“Who created this?””
Simone answered.
“Marcus Bell maintained it. But the instructions came from above him.””
“Thomas?””
She nodded.
“Thomas's office sent the original template.””
.
“Marcus Bell maintained it. But the instructions came from above him.””
“Thomas?””
She nodded.
“Thomas's office sent the original template.””
Jonathan turned the page.
There was a second column.
It listed employees who had complained about the policy.
Some names were marked with red stars.
Beside Simone's name were the words:
**HIGH RISK — DOJonathan turned the page.
There was a second column.
It listed employees who had complained about the policy.
Some names were marked with red stars.
Beside Simone's name were the words:
*HIGH RISK — DO NOT ASSIGN TO EXECUTIVE GUESTS.*
Richard looked at her.
“Did you know you were on this list?””
Simone nodded.
“I found out after my schedule suddenly changed.””
“What happened?””
“My hours were reduced. I NOT ASSIGN TO EXECUTIVE GUESTS.**
Richard looked at her.
“Did you know you were on this list?””
Simone nodded.
“I found out after my schedule suddenly changed.””
“What happened?””
“My hours were reduced. I was removed from guest services. Then David Whitmore came to the hotel and demanded access to a restricted suite.””
Richard looked at the next page.
“What happened when you refused?””
“He threatened my job.””
“Did you report it?””
“Yes.””
was removed from guest services. Then David Whitmore came to the hotel and demanded access to a restricted suite.””
Richard looked at the next page.
“What happened when you refused?””
“He threatened my job.””
“Did you report it?””
“Yes.””
“And Thomas closed your complaint?””
Simone nodded.
“After that, I was offered money to sign a settlement and leave quietly.””
Richard looked at her.
“Did you accept?””
“I signed the“And Thomas closed your complaint?””
Simone nodded.
“After that, I was offered money to sign a settlement and leave quietly.””
Richard looked at her.
“Did you accept?””
“I signed the agreement because I needed money. I had a daughter, rent, and no other job.””
She paused.
“But I never agreed that what happened was acceptable.””
agreement because I needed money. I had a daughter, rent, and no other job.””
She paused.
“But I never agreed that what happened was acceptable.””
Vanessa's words echoed in Richard's mind.
Make sure the next person doesn't have to go through it.
Richard looked at Simone.
“I'm sorry.””
Simone nodded.
“I appreciate that. But I didn't come here for an apology.””
“What did you come for?””
SheVanessa's words echoed in Richard's mind.
Make sure the next person doesn't have to go through it.
Richard looked at Simone.
“I'm sorry.””
Simone nodded.
“I appreciate that. But I didn't come here for an apology.””
“What did you come for?””
She pushed the folder toward him.
“I came because I heard about what happened to your daughter.””
Richard looked at her.
Simone continued.
“When I saw the pushed the folder toward him.
“I came because I heard about what happened to your daughter.””
Richard looked at her.
Simone continued.
“When I saw the story circulating among former employees, I thought about all the people who never had anyone powerful story circulating among former employees, I thought about all the people who never had anyone powerful enough to walk into that lobby and demand answers.””
Her voice trembled.
“I don't want this investigation to stop when your daughter gets an apology.””
Richard nodded slowly.
“It won't.””
Simone looked directly at him.
“Then I want the enough to walk into that lobby and demand answers.””
Her voice trembled.
“I don't want this investigation to stop when your daughter gets an apology.””
Richard nodded slowly.
“It won't.””
Simone looked directly at him.
“Then I want the entire list made public to the investigators. I want every employee who complained protected. And I want the guests contacted.””
Richard looked at Patricia.
“Can we do that?””
“Yes. Subject to entire list made public to the investigators. I want every employee who complained protected. And I want the guests contacted.””
Richard looked at Patricia.
“Can we do that?””
“Yes. Subject to legal review and privacy protections.””
“Then do it.””
Simone took a breath.
“There's something else.””
Richard looked back at her.
“What?””
She removed a final envelope from her folder.
“This is a copy of the original instructions I received from Marcus. legal review and privacy protections.””
“Then do it.””
Simone took a breath.
“There's something else.””
Richard looked back at her.
“What?””
She removed a final envelope from her folder.
“This is a copy of the original instructions I received from Marcus. He told me the policy came directly from Thomas.””
She opened the envelope.
A handwritten note was attached.
It read:
*Maintain the list. Do not discuss it with property staff He told me the policy came directly from Thomas.””
She opened the envelope.
A handwritten note was attached.
It read:
Maintain the list. Do not discuss it with property staff outside management. The board has already approved the direction.
Richard stared at the final sentence.
“The board?””
Simone nodded.
“That's what Marcus told me.””
Richard turned toward outside management. The board has already approved the direction.*
Richard stared at the final sentence.
“The board?””
Simone nodded.
“That's what Marcus told me.””
Richard turned toward Patricia.
“Was the board informed?””
Patricia looked at the note.
“We haven't found evidence of a formal board vote.””
Richard's expression darkened.
“Then someone used the board's name without authorization.””
Jonathan's phone rang.
He Patricia.
“Was the board informed?””
Patricia looked at the note.
“We haven't found evidence of a formal board vote.””
Richard's expression darkened.
“Then someone used the board's name without authorization.””
Jonathan's phone rang.
He answered.
“Yes?””
He listened.
Then his face changed.
“Understood.””
He ended the call and answered.
“Yes?””
He listened.
Then his face changed.
“Understood.””
He ended the call and looked at Richard.
“Mr. Whitmore, the board has called an emergency meeting for tomorrow morning.””
Richard nodded.
“Fine.””
Jonathan hesitated.
“They're asking you to step aside as chairman while the investigation continues.””
Richard stared at him.
“On looked at Richard.
“Mr. Whitmore, the board has called an emergency meeting for tomorrow morning.””
Richard nodded.
“Fine.””
Jonathan hesitated.
“They're asking you to step aside as chairman while the investigation continues.””
Richard stared at him.
“On what grounds?””
Jonathan lowered his voice.
“They've received an anonymous allegation claiming that you personally approved the guest-profile directive.””
Richard felt the blood drain from his face.
“Who sent it?””
Jonathan looked at the email.
“The what grounds?””
Jonathan lowered his voice.
“They've received an anonymous allegation claiming that you personally approved the guest-profile directive.””
Richard felt the blood drain from his face.
“Who sent it?””
Jonathan looked at the email.
“The message came from Thomas Whitaker's office.””
Richard slowly turned toward the conference room window.
For the first time, he understood what Thomas was attempting.
He wasn't simply protecting message came from Thomas Whitaker's office.””
Richard slowly turned toward the conference room window.
For the first time, he understood what Thomas was attempting.
He wasn't simply protecting himself.
He was preparing to blame Richard for everything.
And the next morning, Richard would have to defend not only his daughter's dignity, but his own name.
himself.
May you like
He was preparing to blame Richard for everything.
And the next morning, Richard would have to defend not only his daughter's dignity, but his own name.
