You want the truth? Marcus waited. You're the person who changed my daughter's life by giving me a chance I didn't deserve. You're the woman who works 18-hour days to protect thousands of employees she'll never meet. His voice dropped. and you're someone who shouldn't have to face death threats and character assassination alone.
The silence that followed felt alive, charged with everything they weren't saying. Elena's eyes searched his face like she was looking for proof he meant it, that this wasn't performance or manipulation. I don't know how to do this, she said finally. How to let someone be close without wondering what they want from me. I don't want anything except for you to be safe.
Marcus held her gaze. That's it. That's all of it. That might be the most valuable thing anyone's ever offered me. Her intercom buzzed before either of them could say more.
Ms. Hart. The investigators from the police department are here. Conference room A. Elena's expression shifted. The CEO mask sliding back into place.
Send them in. We'll be there in 2 minutes, she stood, straightening her jacket. Stay close today, she said quietly. I need to know you're there. I'm not going anywhere.
Conference room A was the largest on the executive floor. Detective Morrison, a woman in her 50s with sharp eyes that had seen too many crimes, stood beside Webb and two other investigators. Ms. Hart, Morrison said as they entered. Thank you for meeting on short notice. The evidence we've uncovered requires immediate action.
Show me. Elena took her seat at the head of the table. Marcus positioned himself near the wall, close enough to intervene if necessary, but outside the direct circle of conversation. Morrison pulled up images on the main screen. Phone records, financial transactions, email metadata.
Daniel Porter received his instructions through an encrypted messaging app. We traced the account through payment records. The person who hired him made three transfers totaling $50,000 over the past 6 months. Who? Elena's voice was flat.
Morrison glanced at Web. The money came from an offshore account. The setup was sophisticated, but forensic accounting found the source. She paused. The account was funded by liquidating stock options belonging to Derek Simmons, your chief technology officer.
The name landed like a grenade. Marcus saw Elena's expression freeze, shock warring with disbelief. Derek Simmons had been with Hart Technologies for 9 years, had worked directly with Elena's father, was responsible for the technological innovations that had made the company's recent expansion possible. That's not possible. Elena's voice was barely audible.
Derek is he's been loyal to this company since before I took over. He supported every initiative, worked 18-hour days on the new platform. Why would he? We believe he's working with outside interests, Morrison interrupted. The financial trail shows he's in significant debt, gambling losses over the past 2 years.