Chapter 14 - THE SIGNATURE
They moved into a private conference room off the ballroom. Maya, Evelyn, Richard, Martin, and the committee’s counsel sat around a long table while the party continued beyond the closed doors.
The document was a letter addressed to Samuel twelve years earlier. It stated that Richard had reviewed the disputed agreement and confirmed Whitmore owed no further payments. His signature appeared at the bottom.
“I didn’t sign this,” Richard said.
Martin leaned forward. “It came from your office.”
“I didn’t sign it.”
The committee’s counsel placed another sheet beside it. It was a copy of the letter’s routing record. Martin had requested the document, approved its wording, and directed that it be sent under Richard’s name.
“That doesn’t prove the signature is false,” Martin said.
“No,” counsel replied. “It’s one reason we’re preserving the original and having it examined.”
Martin turned to Richard. “You knew there was a dispute. You wanted it settled.”
“I wanted it investigated.”
“You wanted it gone.”
Richard looked at him for a long moment. “I trusted you with that job.”
“You were happy to trust me while the company grew.”
The room went still.
Maya thought of Samuel sitting at his kitchen table, believing Richard had read his letter and decided he wasn’t worth answering. Whether Richard had signed the reply or not, he had let Samuel carry that belief for twelve years.
Evelyn spoke next. “The original agreement, payment records, and company correspondence need a full review. My clients will pursue what they’re owed.”
Richard nodded. “They should.”
Martin gave a short, disbelieving laugh. “You’re going to let this intern wreck the merger?”
Maya met his eyes. “I gave the committee the records. You’re the one who changed them.”
A knock sounded at the door. Tessa stood outside with her attorney. She had brought the email in which Martin instructed her to remove the Reed question from the merger disclosure. Eli had sent his account analysis directly to the committee.
Martin’s lawyer called him. Martin stood and left the room to take it.
Claire was waiting in the hallway. She glanced past her father at Maya.
“You planned this,” she said.
Maya’s wet sleeves clung to her wrists. “I planned to find out what happened to my grandfather.”
Claire looked toward the empty place where Martin had stood.
May you like
Richard stepped beside his daughter. “We need to talk about what you did tonight.”
For once, he said it where everyone could hear.
