Daniel smiled faintly. I would not want you to. Clare felt relief and something warmer at the same time. But I am going to protect the truth. Daniel looked at Lily who was carefully coloring a school poster beside him.
That is all I could ask. After the call ended, Clare returned to her desk. She opened the largest file from the finance department. One approval record had been altered after the original submission. The change had been authorized through Richard Hail's office.
Clare stared at the document in silence. Then she picked up the phone. Schedule the board review. Schedule the board review. Clareire Bennett said the words quietly, but she knew they would change the direction of the company.
By 9 the next morning, the board members had received the documents she had requested, including the original invoices, maintenance records, and approval history. Clare did not accuse anyone. She did not need to. The numbers would speak for themselves. Daniel Carter knew none of this as he started his shift on the 28th floor.
He was checking a service panel when Richard Hail approached. You have been spending a lot of time around Clare lately. Daniel looked up. She has asked me about maintenance. That is all.
That is all. Richard studied him for a moment. You should be careful. Daniel closed the panel. I am always careful.
Richard walked away without another word. Daniel watched him leave, then returned to his work. He had no interest in office politics. He had a daughter to pick up at 3:45, a grocery list waiting at home, and a school project to finish before bedtime. His world was smaller than the executive floor, but it was full.
Later that morning, Clare asked Daniel to join the board review. Daniel looked genuinely surprised. Why me? Because some of the records came from your department. I can explain those.
That is why I need you there. Daniel nodded. All right. When he entered the conference room, the atmosphere was different from the casual meeting he had attended with Clare days earlier. Several board members were already seated.
Richard was there, too. Clare stood at the front of the room with a folder in her hands. Thank you for coming, Daniel. He took a seat. Of course.
One board member opened the first report. We have identified discrepancies in several facilities expenses. Richard spoke immediately. Discrepancies do not necessarily mean misconduct. Clare nodded.
Correct. That is why we are reviewing the original records. She looked toward Daniel. Can you explain this invoice? Daniel studied the page.
The equipment was replaced under warranty. The contractor handled the service. Was there a charge to maintenance? Not from us. He opened the digital record on the tablet provided to him.
Here is the service report. The finance director compared it with the invoice. The amounts did not match. Another board member asked, "And this one?" Daniel checked it. Same situation.