Chapter 8: The Man Carrying the Missing Files
Gerald Price had worked for Malcolm Bennett for fourteen years.
He had been present during the company's first major expansion.
He had managed acquisitions, reviewed Carrying the Missing Files
Gerald Price had worked for Malcolm Bennett for fourteen years.
He had been present during the company's first major expansion.
He had managed acquisitions, reviewed financial statements, and personally overseen the transfer of millions of dollars between Bennett Global's subsidiaries.
Malcolm had trusted him with things he wouldn't have trusted his own lawyers to handle.
Now security had found him outside the Grand Sterling's server room.
With a suitcase.
And William Harris's access credentials.
Mal financial statements, and personally overseen the transfer of millions of dollars between Bennett Global's subsidiaries.
Malcolm had trusted him with things he wouldn't have trusted his own lawyers to handle.
Now security had found him outside the Grand Sterling's server room.
With a suitcase.
And William Harris's access credentials.
Malcolm looked at David.
“Bring him here.””
David nodded.
“Sir, security is handling it.””
Within three minutes, two security officers escorted Gerald into the conference room.
He wascolm looked at David.
“Bring him here.””
David nodded.
“Sir, security is handling it.””
Within three minutes, two security officers escorted Gerald into the conference room.
He was a neatly dressed Black man in his early sixties, with silver hair and a navy business suit.
His expression remained composed until he saw Malcolm.
Then his eyes moved toward the tablet.
“Mal a neatly dressed Black man in his early sixties, with silver hair and a navy business suit.
His expression remained composed until he saw Malcolm.
Then his eyes moved toward the tablet.
“Malcolm.””
“Gerald.””
Gerald looked around.
“What is this?””
Malcolm pointed toward the chair.
“Sit down.””
Gerald remained standingcolm.””
“Gerald.””
Gerald looked around.
“What is this?””
Malcolm pointed toward the chair.
“Sit down.””
Gerald remained standing.
“I don't appreciate being escorted around like a criminal.””
Malcolm's voice was quiet.
“Then explain why you were accessing a restricted server using William Harris's credentials.””
Gerald looked at David.
“Who told you that?””
“The access logs.””
“Those.
“I don't appreciate being escorted around like a criminal.””
Malcolm's voice was quiet.
“Then explain why you were accessing a restricted server using William Harris's credentials.””
Gerald looked at David.
“Who told you that?””
“The access logs.””
“Those systems aren't always accurate.””
Malcolm nodded toward the suitcase.
“And what's in there?””
“Documents.””
“Company documents?””
“Some financial reports.””
systems aren't always accurate.””
Malcolm nodded toward the suitcase.
“And what's in there?””
“Documents.””
“Company documents?””
“Some financial reports.””
“Why were you taking them out of the administration wing?””
Gerald sighed.
“I was preparing for tomorrow's executive meeting.””
Mal“Why were you taking them out of the administration wing?””
Gerald sighed.
“I was preparing for tomorrow's executive meeting.””
Malcolm stared at him.
“Tomorrow's meeting was canceled last week.””
Gerald's expression changed.
“Was it?””
“Yes.””
“I must have missed the notification.””
Malcolm leaned forward.
“You've been with this company for fourteen years. You don't miss executive meeting notifications.””
Gerald looked toward the window.
Then he noticedcolm stared at him.
“Tomorrow's meeting was canceled last week.””
Gerald's expression changed.
“Was it?””
“Yes.””
“I must have missed the notification.””
Malcolm leaned forward.
“You've been with this company for fourteen years. You don't miss executive meeting notifications.””
Gerald looked toward the window.
Then he noticed Amara holding Naomi.
His expression softened briefly.
“Amara. I'm sorry about what happened.””
Amara didn't respond.
Gerald continued.
“I heard there was some confusion at the hotel.””
Malcolm's eyes narrowed.
“Confusion?””
Gerald nodded.
“People make mistakes.””
Malcolm looked at his daughter.
“Did you know Gerald was involved in the hotel arrangements?””
Amara shook her head.
“No.””
Gerald turned toward her.
“I was simply helping William coordinate the corporate sponsorship.””
Malcolm's voice hardened.
“You've just admitted to coordinating with William.””
Gerald stopped.
“I didn't Amara holding Naomi.
His expression softened briefly.
“Amara. I'm sorry about what happened.””
Amara didn't respond.
Gerald continued.
“I heard there was some confusion at the hotel.””
Malcolm's eyes narrowed.
“Confusion?””
Gerald nodded.
“People make mistakes.””
Malcolm looked at his daughter.
“Did you know Gerald was involved in the hotel arrangements?””
Amara shook her head.
“No.””
Gerald turned toward her.
“I was simply helping William coordinate the corporate sponsorship.””
Malcolm's voice hardened.
“You've just admitted to coordinating with William.””
Gerald stopped.
“I didn't say that.””
“You did.””
Gerald straightened his jacket.
“Malcolm, I think you're allowing personal emotions to cloud your judgment.””
Malcolm slowly stood.
say that.””
“You did.””
Gerald straightened his jacket.
“Malcolm, I think you're allowing personal emotions to cloud your judgment.””
Malcolm slowly stood.
“My daughter was slapped. My granddaughter was blacklisted. Someone tried to cancel my birthday celebration. And now I've discovered that two senior executives may have been moving money through“My daughter was slapped.
My granddaughter was blacklisted. Someone tried to cancel my birthday celebration. And now I've discovered that two senior executives may have been moving money through a hotel sponsorship arrangement.””
Gerald shook his head.
“That's an extraordinary interpretation.””
“Then give me an ordinary explanation.””
Gerald looked at a hotel sponsorship arrangement.””
Gerald shook his head.
“That's an extraordinary interpretation.””
“Then give me an ordinary explanation.””
Gerald looked at David.
“Can I see the documents?””
David opened the suitcase.
Inside were printed financial reports, several USB drives, and a folder containing copies of internal corporate resolutions.
Peter leaned closer.
“Those documents shouldn't be outside headquarters.””
David.
“Can I see the documents?””
David opened the suitcase.
Inside were printed financial reports, several USB drives, and a folder containing copies of internal corporate resolutions.
Peter leaned closer.
“Those documents shouldn't be outside headquarters.””
Gerald looked at him.
“They're copies.””
“Why were they removed?””
“Because I wanted to review them.””
Malcolm picked up one of the folders.
The first page contained a financial authorization requestGerald looked at him.
“They're copies.””
“Why were they removed?””
“Because I wanted to review them.””
Malcolm picked up one of the folders.
The first page contained a financial authorization request.
The second contained a proposed leadership restructuring.
Malcolm turned the page.
Then he stopped.
A resolution proposed transferring operational control of Bennett Global's hospitality division to an independent holding company.
The proposed new entity was named:
**NORTHSTAR HOSP.
The second contained a proposed leadership restructuring.
Malcolm turned the page.
Then he stopped.
A resolution proposed transferring operational control of Bennett Global's hospitality division to an independent holding company.
The proposed new entity was named:
*NORTHSTAR HOSPITALITY PARTNERS.*
Malcolm looked at Gerald.
“What is this?””
Gerald's jaw tightened.
“A restructuring proposalITALITY PARTNERS.**
Malcolm looked at Gerald.
“What is this?””
Gerald's jaw tightened.
“A restructuring proposal.””
“Who approved it?””
“The executive committee.””
“Which committee members?””
Gerald hesitated.
Malcolm turned the page.
Three names appeared.
William Harris.
Gerald Price.””
“Who approved it?””
“The executive committee.””
“Which committee members?””
Gerald hesitated.
Malcolm turned the page.
Three names appeared.
William Harris.
Gerald Price.
And Jonathan Whitmore.
Jonathan stepped forward.
“My name?””
Gerald looked surprised.
“You were part of the proposed investment structure.””
“I never approved this.””
Gerald shrugged.
“Your foundation was involved.””
Jonathan looked at the document.
“That's not an approval.””
Malcolm studied the resolution.
The proposal would have transferred control of several hotel assets into Northstar.
And Jonathan Whitmore.
Jonathan stepped forward.
“My name?””
Gerald looked surprised.
“You were part of the proposed investment structure.””
“I never approved this.””
Gerald shrugged.
“Your foundation was involved.””
Jonathan looked at the document.
“That's not an approval.””
Malcolm studied the resolution.
The proposal would have transferred control of several hotel assets into Northstar Hospitality Partners.
The transfer would have occurred after a special shareholders' meeting scheduled for the following Monday.
But Malcolm had never scheduled such a meeting.
He looked at Gerald.
“Who prepared this?””
Gerald swallowed.
“William.””
“ Hospitality Partners.
The transfer would have occurred after a special shareholders' meeting scheduled for the following Monday.
But Malcolm had never scheduled such a meeting.
He looked at Gerald.
“Who prepared this?””
Gerald swallowed.
“William.””
“Who authorized it?””
“The executive committee.””
“I am the chairman.””
Gerald nodded.
“Yes.””
“And I did not approve this.””
Gerald looked down.
“Not yet.””
Malcolm staredWho authorized it?””
“The executive committee.””
“I am the chairman.””
Gerald nodded.
“Yes.””
“And I did not approve this.””
Gerald looked down.
“Not yet.””
Malcolm stared.
“What does that mean?””
Gerald exhaled.
“William believed the restructuring was necessary.””
“Why?””
“He thought the company needed new leadership.””
Malcolm laughed once.
Not because anything was funny.
Because he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
“New leadership?””
Gerald nodded.
“You've been away from daily operations for too long. The company needs people.
“What does that mean?””
Gerald exhaled.
“William believed the restructuring was necessary.””
“Why?””
“He thought the company needed new leadership.””
Malcolm laughed once.
Not because anything was funny.
Because he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
“New leadership?””
Gerald nodded.
“You've been away from daily operations for too long. The company needs people who understand modern business.””
Malcolm looked at him.
“You mean you and William.””
Gerald didn't answer.
Amara gently adjusted Naomi.
“Dad who understand modern business.””
Malcolm looked at him.
“You mean you and William.””
Gerald didn't answer.
Amara gently adjusted Naomi.
“Dad, why would they do this?””
Malcolm looked at her.
“Because they wanted control.””
Gerald immediately interrupted.
“That's not fair.””
Malcolm turned.
“Then, why would they do this?””
Malcolm looked at her.
“Because they wanted control.””
Gerald immediately interrupted.
“That's not fair.””
Malcolm turned.
“Then tell us why my daughter was targeted.””
Gerald's expression changed.
He glanced at Vanessa.
Then at Jonathan.
Then back at Malcolm.
“I don't know anything about that.””
David opened another tell us why my daughter was targeted.””
Gerald's expression changed.
He glanced at Vanessa.
Then at Jonathan.
Then back at Malcolm.
“I don't know anything about that.””
David opened another document.
“Sir, there's a payment schedule attached to the restructuring proposal.””
Malcolm looked down.
Several transfers were listed.
The first was scheduled for the Monday shareholders' meeting.
The amount document.
“Sir, there's a payment schedule attached to the restructuring proposal.””
Malcolm looked down.
Several transfers were listed.
The first was scheduled for the Monday shareholders' meeting.
The amount was $8.5 million.
The recipient was Northstar Hospitality Partners.
A second was $8.5 million.
The recipient was Northstar Hospitality Partners.
A second transfer would follow two days later.
Then a third.
Malcolm read the account details.
“Who owns Northstar?””
Gerald remained silent.
Jonathan leaned closer.
“I recognize that company.””
Malcolm looked at him.
“From where?””
“It's registered in Delaware. My attorneys reviewed a proposal from them six months transfer would follow two days later.
Then a third.
Malcolm read the account details.
“Who owns Northstar?””
Gerald remained silent.
Jonathan leaned closer.
“I recognize that company.””
Malcolm looked at him.
“From where?””
“It's registered in Delaware. My attorneys reviewed a proposal from them six months ago.””
“Who approached you?””
Jonathan hesitated.
“William.””
Malcolm's eyes narrowed.
“And what did he offer?””
Jonathan looked toward Vanessa.
“He said we could become a strategic partner in the hospitality division ago.””
“Who approached you?””
Jonathan hesitated.
“William.””
Malcolm's eyes narrowed.
“And what did he offer?””
Jonathan looked toward Vanessa.
“He said we could become a strategic partner in the hospitality division.””
Vanessa suddenly spoke.
“Jonathan, don't.””
He ignored her.
“He said the company was preparing for a private restructuring. He offered us a significant stake if we helped secure outside.””
Vanessa suddenly spoke.
“Jonathan, don't.””
He ignored her.
“He said the company was preparing for a private restructuring. He offered us a significant stake if we helped secure outside investment.””
Malcolm looked at him.
“How significant?””
Jonathan lowered his eyes.
“Twenty percent.””
Amara stared.
“Twenty percent of my father's company?””
“Of investment.””
Malcolm looked at him.
“How significant?””
Jonathan lowered his eyes.
“Twenty percent.””
Amara stared.
“Twenty percent of my father's company?””
“Of the proposed hospitality entity,” Jonathan clarified.
Malcolm shook his head.
“And you agreed?””
“No. I asked for financial disclosures first.””
Gerald interrupted.
the proposed hospitality entity,” Jonathan clarified.
Malcolm shook his head.
“And you agreed?””
“No. I asked for financial disclosures first.””
Gerald interrupted.
“Which is why the proposal was delayed.””
Malcolm turned sharply.
“Why was it delayed?””
Gerald looked uncomfortable.
“Because the company couldn't secure enough“Which is why the proposal was delayed.””
Malcolm turned sharply.
“Why was it delayed?””
Gerald looked uncomfortable.
“Because the company couldn't secure enough support.””
David opened another file.
“Sir, I think I've found the reason.””
“What?””
“The original shareholder list was modified last month.””
support.””
David opened another file.
“Sir, I think I've found the reason.””
“What?””
“The original shareholder list was modified last month.””
Malcolm frowned.
“By whom?””
David checked the audit log.
“Gerald Price.””
Gerald stepped forward.
“Those were routine updates.””
David shook his head.
“The changes include three voting proxies that were never submitted by the actual shareholders.””
Malcolm stared at himMalcolm frowned.
“By whom?””
David checked the audit log.
“Gerald Price.””
Gerald stepped forward.
“Those were routine updates.””
David shook his head.
“The changes include three voting proxies that were never submitted by the actual shareholders.””
Malcolm stared at him.
“Explain.””
“Someone appears to have created authorization records granting voting power to Northstar's representatives.””
Jonathan looked shocked.
“That's fraud.””
Gerald's voice rose.
“Watch.
“Explain.””
“Someone appears to have created authorization records granting voting power to Northstar's representatives.””
Jonathan looked shocked.
“That's fraud.””
Gerald's voice rose.
“Watch your language.””
Jonathan turned toward him.
“Then explain why my name appears on a resolution I never signed.””
Gerald looked toward Malcolm.
“Malcolm, this is becoming your language.””
Jonathan turned toward him.
“Then explain why my name appears on a resolution I never signed.””
Gerald looked toward Malcolm.
“Malcolm, this is becoming unnecessarily complicated. William and I were trying to protect the company.””
“From what?””
“From stagnation.””
Malcolm stepped closer.
“You were preparing to transfer my company's assets without my unnecessarily complicated. William and I were trying to protect the company.””
“From what?””
“From stagnation.””
Malcolm stepped closer.
“You were preparing to transfer my company's assets without my approval.””
Gerald shook his head.
“We were preparing a proposal.””
“With fake voting proxies?””
Gerald said nothing.
David's phone vibrated.
He checked the screen.
Then he looked at approval.””
Gerald shook his head.
“We were preparing a proposal.””
“With fake voting proxies?””
Gerald said nothing.
David's phone vibrated.
He checked the screen.
Then he looked at Malcolm.
“Sir, we've located William.””
“Where?””
“He's not in Chicago.””
Malcolm's expression changed.
“Then where is he?””
David turned the phone around Malcolm.
“Sir, we've located William.””
“Where?””
“He's not in Chicago.””
Malcolm's expression changed.
“Then where is he?””
David turned the phone around.
A live security photograph showed William Harris entering a private airport lounge.
He was carrying a black briefcase.
A timestamp indicated the photograph had been taken less than ten minutes.
A live security photograph showed William Harris entering a private airport lounge.
He was carrying a black briefcase.
A timestamp indicated the photograph had been taken less than ten minutes earlier.
David continued.
“His travel records show a departure scheduled for tonight.””
“Destination?””
“London.””
Jonathan looked at Malcolm.
“Why would he leave?””
Malcolm didn't answer earlier.
David continued.
“His travel records show a departure scheduled for tonight.””
“Destination?””
“London.””
Jonathan looked at Malcolm.
“Why would he leave?””
Malcolm didn't answer.
David enlarged another detail.
“There's a second passenger on the reservation.””
Gerald looked up.
“Who?””
David read the name.
Then he slowly turned toward Vanessa.
“Mrs. Whitmore.””
.
David enlarged another detail.
“There's a second passenger on the reservation.””
Gerald looked up.
“Who?””
David read the name.
Then he slowly turned toward Vanessa.
“Mrs. Whitmore.””
Jonathan's face went pale.
He turned toward his wife.
“Were you planning to leave the country?””
Vanessa shook her head.
“That isn't my reservation.””
David checked again.
“The ticket was purchased using the Whitmore Foundation's corporate account.””
Vanessa looked toward Jonathan.
“SomeoneJonathan's face went pale.
He turned toward his wife.
“Were you planning to leave the country?””
Vanessa shook her head.
“That isn't my reservation.””
David checked again.
“The ticket was purchased using the Whitmore Foundation's corporate account.””
Vanessa looked toward Jonathan.
“Someone is trying to frame me.””
Jonathan took a step away from her.
“Then why is your name on the ticket?””
“I don't know!””
Gerald suddenly moved toward the door.
Security blocked him.
“Where do you think you're going?”” is trying to frame me.””
Jonathan took a step away from her.
“Then why is your name on the ticket?””
“I don't know!””
Gerald suddenly moved toward the door.
Security blocked him.
“Where do you think you're going?”” Malcolm asked.
Gerald looked furious.
“I've answered enough questions.””
Malcolm nodded.
“Then you'll have no problem waiting for the authorities.””
Gerald's expression changed.
Malcolm asked.
Gerald looked furious.
“I've answered enough questions.””
Malcolm nodded.
“Then you'll have no problem waiting for the authorities.””
Gerald's expression changed.
He looked toward David.
Then toward the suitcase.
And finally toward the conference room's glass wall.
For one brief moment, his composureHe looked toward David.
Then toward the suitcase.
And finally toward the conference room's glass wall.
For one brief moment, his composure disappeared.
“Malcolm, listen to me. You have no idea what William is capable of.””
Malcolm stared.
“Then tell me.””
Gerald swallowed.
“He didn't plan to stop disappeared.
“Malcolm, listen to me. You have no idea what William is capable of.””
Malcolm stared.
“Then tell me.””
Gerald swallowed.
“He didn't plan to stop at the hotel division.””
“What else?””
Gerald looked toward Amara.
Then he lowered his voice.
“He wanted access to the Bennett family trust.””
Malcolm's face went cold.
at the hotel division.””
“What else?””
Gerald looked toward Amara.
Then he lowered his voice.
“He wanted access to the Bennett family trust.””
Malcolm's face went cold.
Amara looked up.
“The family trust?””
Gerald nodded.
“He believed the only way to complete the transfer was to gain control of the voting shares held in your daughter's name.””
Malcolm turned towardAmara looked up.
“The family trust?””
Gerald nodded.
“He believed the only way to complete the transfer was to gain control of the voting shares held in your daughter's name.””
Malcolm turned toward Amara.
She looked stunned.
“My name?””
Gerald nodded again.
“You inherited those shares when your grandmother passed away. William believed you would be the easiest person to pressure.””
Malcolm's hands tightened.
He had deliberately kept Amara.
She looked stunned.
“My name?””
Gerald nodded again.
“You inherited those shares when your grandmother passed away. William believed you would be the easiest person to pressure.””
Malcolm's hands tightened.
He had deliberately kept Amara away from the company's most sensitive financial decisions.
But her inheritance had made her one of its most important shareholders.
And now the entire evening made Amara away from the company's most sensitive financial decisions.
But her inheritance had made her one of its most important shareholders.
And now the entire evening made sense.
The hotel incident.
The canceled birthday party.
The attempted guest restrictions.
The unauthorized account access.
Someone wanted Amara frightened, isolated, and distracted.
Someone wanted her to sign something.
Malcolm turned toward David.
“Where is William now?””
sense.
The hotel incident.
The canceled birthday party.
The attempted guest restrictions.
The unauthorized account access.
Someone wanted Amara frightened, isolated, and distracted.
Someone wanted her to sign something.
Malcolm turned toward David.
“Where is William now?””
“His flight is preparing for departure.””
“Contact airport security. Preserve the travel records. Notify our attorneys.””
David nodded.
Then his phone rang again.
He answered.
Listened.
And looked at Malcolm with alarm.
“Sir, there's a problem“His flight is preparing for departure.””
“Contact airport security. Preserve the travel records. Notify our attorneys.””
David nodded.
Then his phone rang again.
He answered.
Listened.
And looked at Malcolm with alarm.
“Sir, there's a problem.””
“What?””
“The family trust has received a transfer authorization request.””
Amara went pale.
“What transfer?””
David looked at the screen.
“Your voting shares.””
Malcolm stepped forward.
“Who submitted it?””
David hesitated.
Then he answered.
“Someone using your daughter's electronic signature.””
“What?””
“The family trust has received a transfer authorization request.””
Amara went pale.
“What transfer?””
David looked at the screen.
“Your voting shares.””
Malcolm stepped forward.
“Who submitted it?””
David hesitated.
Then he answered.
“Someone using your daughter's electronic signature.””
Amara stared at the tablet.
“That isn't my signature.””
Malcolm looked at her.
“I know.””
May you like
But the authorization carried her digital identity.
And according to the system, it had already been approved.
