"He claims you're planning to launch an unauthorized investigation into a matter that was legally settled."
Richard laughed without humor.
"Of course he does."
"He may attempt to prevent access to the old financial records."
Richard looked at the folder.
"Then secure them."
"Some of the original records are stored in an off-site archive."
"Where?"
"An old facility in Quincy."
Richard immediately recognized the address.
The company had used the building for document storage before moving to its current digital archive system.
"Get a team there."
Daniel sounded concerned.
"Sir, we need formal authorization."
"You have mine."
"Understood."
Richard ended the call.
He looked through the glass wall of his office.
Employees were beginning to arrive.
Some greeted him.
Others nodded respectfully.
He wondered how many of them knew what had happened to Margaret.
How many had heard the accusations.
How many had believed she was guilty.
And how many had watched her leave without asking a single question.
He had spent decades building a company.
But perhaps he had spent too little time making sure it remained worthy of the people who worked for it.
At 8:30 a.m., Emily arrived at the hospital for her interview.
She wore a simple gray blouse and black trousers.
Her hair was neatly tied back, and she carried a folder containing her résumé, professional references, and certificates.
She had spent the previous night practicing answers with Lily.
The little girl had insisted on pretending to be the interviewer.
"Why should we hire you?" Lily had asked.
Emily smiled.
"Because I'm responsible, organized, and I work hard."
"That's good," Lily replied seriously. "But you should also say you're nice."
Emily laughed.
"Do you think hospitals hire people because they're nice?"
"I think people should be nice everywhere."
Emily kissed her forehead.
"You might be right."
Now, standing outside the hospital's administrative office, Emily felt nervous.
She had been out of full-time employment for several years.
She knew she had the skills, but she also knew that explaining the gaps in her résumé might be difficult.
The receptionist greeted her.
"Good morning. You must be Emily Ellis."
"Yes."
"Please have a seat. Ms. Carter will be with you shortly."
Emily sat down.
She glanced at the framed photographs on the wall.
Doctors, nurses, volunteers, and patients.
There was something comforting about the place.
For the first time in a long while, she felt she might be able to build a stable future for herself and Lily.
A few minutes later, the office door opened.
A woman in her fifties stepped out.
"Emily?"
"Yes."
"I'm Patricia Carter. Thank you for coming."
They shook hands.
Patricia led her into a small interview room.
The interview began with ordinary questions.
Emily explained her previous work experience, her knowledge of accounting systems, and her interest in healthcare administration.
Patricia studied her résumé.
"You worked for Whitmore Industries?"
Emily's expression changed slightly.
"Yes. For a short period, years ago."
Patricia looked up.
"Do you know Richard Whitmore?"
Emily hesitated.
"Yes."
Patricia seemed surprised.
"He's one of our hospital's major donors."
Emily nodded.
"I didn't know that."
Patricia turned another page.
"Your professional references are excellent. But there is a gap of several years."
"My mother became seriously ill. I needed to care for her."
Patricia's expression softened.
"I'm sorry."
"Thank you."
"Would that situation affect your ability to work full-time now?"
"No. My daughter is in school, and I have reliable childcare arrangements."
Patricia smiled.
"That's good."
She closed the folder.
"I'd like to move you to the next stage of the recruitment process."
Emily felt a wave of relief.
"Thank you."
"We'll contact you within two days."
Emily shook her hand again.
As she left the room, she allowed herself a small smile.
Maybe things were finally beginning to improve.
But she had no idea that, in another part of Boston, Richard Whitmore was about to uncover something that would connect her mother's story to the hospital where she had just interviewed.
At 10:15 a.m., Daniel received a call from the archive facility.
The original records were missing.
Not all of them.
Only the boxes relating to the 2017 financial investigation.
He immediately contacted Richard.
"Sir, we have a problem."
Richard stood.
"What happened?"
"The archive boxes are gone."
"What do you mean, gone?"
"They were removed from storage sometime during the last forty-eight hours."