Chapter 6: The General Manager's Secret
Richard Collins had been working at the hotel for eleven years.
He knew which guests demanded special treatment, which employees could be trusted, and which corporate executives preferred not to hear bad news.
He also knew exactly where the hotel's most sensitive documents were stored.
That knowledge had made him valuable.
And, according to the emerging records, it might also have made him dangerous.
Charles Carter stood at the conference room window, reading the message from the compliance director.
David was already on the phone.
“Confirm the location,” he said.
“And make sure nobody moves the folder.””
He listened.
“Good. Preserve the access logs as well.””
He ended the call.
Charles turned.
“Where is Richard?””
James answered.
“He was escorted to the employee administration office after being placed on leave.””
“Is he still on the property?””
“Yes.””
“Bring him here.””
James hesitated.
“Sir, he may refuse.””
Charles looked at him.
“Then ask him.””
Vanessa shifted in her chair.
“I don't see why Richard needs to be involved.””
Charles turned toward her.
“Your name appears in a financial document. Your husband's signature appears on another. And now we're discovering that the former general manager has been storing a folder connected to those transactions.””
He paused.
“I think he's involved enough.””
Daniel stood.
“Charles, I want to make something clear. My company has legitimate contracts with numerous hospitality businesses.””
“Then you'll have an opportunity to demonstrate that.””
“This investigation is damaging my reputation.””
Charles looked at him.
“Your reputation isn't the subject of this meeting.””
Daniel frowned.
“Then what is?””
Charles glanced at Danielle.
“My daughter was assaulted in this building. The management response was unacceptable. While investigating that incident, we discovered records that raise separate questions.””
Daniel slowly sat down.
“Fine.””
Danielle adjusted Amara's blanket.
The baby was sleeping peacefully now, unaware that the adults around her were discussing a situation that could affect several businesses.
A soft knock interrupted the room.
James opened the door.
Richard entered.
His gray suit looked less polished than before. His tie was loose, and his eyes moved quickly around the conference table.
He looked at Charles.
Then at Daniel.
Then at Vanessa.
“What's this about?””
Charles pointed toward an empty chair.
“Sit down, Richard.””
Richard remained standing.
“I'd prefer to know why I'm being brought back into this.””
David opened his laptop.
“Are you familiar with a blue folder stored in the former general manager's office?””
Richard's expression barely changed.
“I manage hundreds of documents.””
“I'm asking about this specific folder.””
David showed him the photograph.
Richard stared at it.
Then he looked toward Daniel.
“I don't know what that is.””
Daniel spoke immediately.
“Richard, be careful.””
Richard turned.
“What?””
“Think before you answer.””
Charles watched them.
“Interesting.””
Richard pulled out the chair and sat down.
“I don't appreciate being questioned like this.””
David placed a printed document on the table.
“Do you recognize the storage label?””
Richard glanced at it.
His jaw tightened.
“That's an internal archive label.””
“Who created it?””
“I don't remember.””
“Who had access to the office?””
“Several employees.””
David nodded.
“Was the folder created by you?””
Richard looked at Charles.
“I can't answer without reviewing the records.””
Charles folded his hands.
“Then we'll review them.””
Richard leaned forward.
“Mr. Carter, I want to remind you that I've worked for this company for over a decade. I've always acted in its best interests.””
Charles nodded.
“Then this should be straightforward.””
He turned toward James.
“Please bring up the employee access logs.””
James opened a document on his laptop.
The screen displayed a series of dates and times.
David studied the entries.
“Here.””
He enlarged one line.
“The archive was accessed three days ago at 8:42 p.m.””
Richard frowned.
“I wasn't here that evening.””
David looked up.
“Your credentials were used.””
“Then someone used them without authorization.””
“Possibly.””
Richard leaned back.
“Exactly.””
David continued.
“The system also recorded a file export to an external storage device.””
Richard's face changed.
Vanessa immediately looked at Daniel.
Daniel stared at the screen.
“That's impossible.””
David turned toward him.
“Why?””
Daniel didn't answer.
Charles noticed.
“Daniel, is there something you'd like to tell us?””
“No.””
“Then why do you look surprised?””
“Because I don't understand why you're treating ordinary business records like evidence of a crime.””
David closed the access log.
“Nobody has accused you of a crime.””
Richard suddenly stood.
“This is ridiculous. I'm leaving.””
James stepped toward the door.
“Richard, your employment status requires you to cooperate with the internal review.””
Richard pointed at him.
“You don't get to threaten me.””
Charles remained seated.
“Richard, sit down.””
Richard looked at him.
“No.””
Charles nodded toward David.
“Please call the compliance director.””
David picked up his phone.
Richard looked toward Vanessa.
She shook her head slightly.
It was a small movement.
But Danielle saw it.
So did Charles.
“What's going on?”” Danielle asked.
Vanessa turned.
“Nothing.””
Danielle looked at her father.
“They're communicating without speaking.””
Charles followed her gaze.
“Thank you, sweetheart.””
He turned toward Richard.
“Were you instructed to remove any documents from the hotel archive?””
Richard swallowed.
“No.””
David looked up.
“Would you be willing to sign a statement confirming that?””
Richard hesitated.
“Not without legal advice.””
“That's your right.””
Daniel suddenly spoke.
“Richard, I think you should tell them what happened.””
Richard turned sharply.
“You told me to keep quiet!””
The room froze.
Daniel's face drained of color.
Vanessa closed her eyes.
Charles slowly leaned forward.
“What did you just say?””
Richard looked around the table.
His expression changed from anger to fear.
“I didn't mean—”
Daniel interrupted.
“Richard, stop talking.””
David immediately began typing.
Charles looked at Richard.
“You said Daniel told you to keep quiet. About what?””
Richard sat down slowly.
For several seconds, he stared at his hands.
Then he looked at Danielle.
“I'm sorry about what happened to you.””
Danielle didn't answer.
Richard continued.
“I shouldn't have told you to leave.””
“Why did you?”” Danielle asked.
Richard rubbed his forehead.
“Vanessa is a regular VIP guest. Her husband has business connections with the hotel group. I've been told to avoid upsetting certain guests.””
“By whom?””
Richard looked at Daniel.
Daniel shook his head.
“Don't do this.””
Richard looked away.
“By Daniel.””
Daniel stood.
“That's a lie.””
Richard's voice grew louder.
“You called me last month and told me that Vanessa's complaints were to be handled immediately. You told me that her family was important to the company.””
Daniel stepped closer.
“I said she was a valued guest.””
“You said her husband was bringing in new business.””
“That is not the same thing.””
Richard shook his head.
“You told me to make sure she never had to wait.””
Charles watched silently.
Then he asked, “Did Daniel instruct you to falsify any guest reports?””
Richard looked at him.
“No.””
“Did he instruct you to remove complaints?””
Richard hesitated.
Daniel spoke sharply.
“Richard, don't answer that.””
Charles's voice remained calm.
“Richard, you may request legal counsel. But nobody here is forcing you to make a statement.””
Richard looked at Daniel.
Then he looked at the photograph of the blue folder.
Finally, he spoke.
“There were complaints.””
James leaned forward.
“What complaints?””
“Complaints involving Vanessa. Several guests said she insulted them. One woman said Vanessa had demanded that staff remove her from the lobby because she was wearing inexpensive clothing.””
Danielle's eyes widened.
Richard continued.
“I marked the complaints as resolved.””
“Why?”” Charles asked.
“Because I was told it would be better for the hotel.””
“By whom?””
Richard looked at Daniel again.
“Daniel's office contacted me.””
Daniel slammed his hand against the table.
“This is absurd!””
Amara stirred.
Danielle immediately lowered her voice and rocked her gently.
“It's okay, baby.””
Charles looked at Daniel.
“Please lower your voice. You're frightening my granddaughter.””
Daniel stepped back.
“I'm sorry.””
Richard continued.
“The blue folder contains copies of several complaints and internal correspondence. I kept them because I was worried that somebody would eventually blame me for everything.””
David asked, “Where is the folder now?””
“In the archive office.””
“Who placed it there?””
“I did.””
“When?””
“Three days ago.””
Charles looked toward James.
“Secure the office. Preserve everything.””
James nodded.
Vanessa stood.
“I want to leave.””
Charles looked at her.
“You're free to leave, provided you understand that the investigation will continue.””
She grabbed her handbag.
Daniel caught her arm.
“Wait.””
Vanessa pulled away.
“Don't touch me.””
Daniel stared at her.
“You need to calm down.””
She laughed bitterly.
“Calm down? You told me this hotel was practically under your control. You told me Richard would handle anything I needed.””
Daniel lowered his voice.
“Not here.””
“Why? Because now everyone knows?””
Danielle watched them.
Their private disagreements were spilling into the room, and neither seemed concerned that she was sitting there with her newborn.
Charles turned toward David.
“Arrange for the compliance team to secure the documents. Also, notify our external auditors.””
David nodded.
Richard looked relieved.
“Does that mean I'm cleared?””
Charles shook his head.
“No. It means we're investigating.””
Richard lowered his eyes.
“Understood.””
At that moment, David's phone rang.
He listened for several seconds.
Then he looked at Charles.
“Sir, the archive team has located the folder.””
“Good.””
“There's a problem.””
“What problem?””
David swallowed.
“The folder contains a printed email chain. It appears to show that someone warned Daniel about the investigation before the records were removed.””
Charles looked toward Daniel.
“Who sent the warning?””
David turned the laptop around.
The email was dated three days earlier.
The sender's name appeared at the top.
*JAMES MORGAN — REGIONAL OPERATIONS DIRECTOR.*
James went completely pale.
“That can't be right.””
Charles stared at him.
“James?””
James shook his head.
“I didn't send that email.””
David enlarged the screen.
“Then someone used your account.””
James stepped closer.
“Let me see.””
He read the message.
His hands began to tremble.
At the bottom of the email was a sentence that changed everything.
*The Carter investigation must be stopped before Charles discovers what happened to the original ownership agreement.*
Danielle looked at her father.
“Daddy?””
Charles didn't answer.
He was staring at the final attachment.
It wasn't a financial statement.
It wasn't a guest complaint.
It was a scanned copy of an original ownership agreement.
And beside the signature of Charles Carter was another name.
A name he hadn't seen in years.
His younger brother.
*Michael Carter.*
Charles slowly closed the laptop.
“David,” he said quietly.
“Yes, sir?””
“Find my brother.””
Then he looked toward Danielle.
“Sweetheart, I think we just discovered that this hotel has been hiding something from our family for a very long time.””
And somewhere outside that conference room, a phone began ringing.
May you like
The person calling wasn't Daniel.
It was Michael Carter himself.
