Richard felt a cold anger rise.
"Who authorized the removal?"
"The facility's records show a request from the corporate legal department."
"Whose signature?"
"Robert Collins."
Richard slammed his hand against the desk.
"Find out where the boxes went."
"We're checking the transfer records."
"Call the archive manager. I want the security footage preserved."
"Yes, sir."
Richard paused.
"Daniel, has anyone contacted Robert this morning?"
"Not from our office."
"Then he knows we're investigating."
Daniel was silent.
Richard walked toward the window.
Robert had not simply hidden the truth.
He was still actively trying to destroy it.
And that meant the evidence in the archive might contain something far more damaging than the financial records Daniel had recovered.
"Get the board on the phone," Richard said.
"All of them?"
"Every member."
"Sir, Robert may attempt to challenge the meeting."
"Let him."
Richard looked at the city below.
"He's had nine years to explain himself. I'm done waiting."
At noon, Robert Collins entered the headquarters through the private executive entrance.
He did not go to his office.
Instead, he walked directly to the boardroom.
Three directors were already waiting.
Robert placed his briefcase on the table.
"Thank you for coming."
One director frowned.
"Robert, what's going on?"
"Richard has become unpredictable."
Another director leaned forward.
"What's happened?"
"He has reopened the Margaret Ellis investigation."
The first director sighed.
"That matter was settled years ago."
"Exactly."
Robert opened his briefcase.
"He has no authority to expose the company to unnecessary legal risks based on an emotional conversation with a former employee's daughter."
The second director looked concerned.
"Is there new evidence?"
Robert's jaw tightened.
"Nothing credible."
"Then why are you worried?"
Robert looked at him.
"Because Richard has begun questioning financial decisions made by the executive committee."
The room fell silent.
Robert continued.
"Some of those decisions involved restructuring payments that were approved by the board. If he starts questioning them publicly, the company could face serious reputational damage."
One director crossed his arms.
"Are you suggesting we should stop the investigation?"
"I'm suggesting we protect the company."
A voice came from the doorway.
"Protect the company from what?"
Everyone turned.
Richard stood there.
He was holding a folder.
Daniel was beside him.
Robert slowly closed his briefcase.
"Richard. We were just discussing you."
"I gathered."
Richard walked to the head of the table.
"Before we begin, I want everyone to understand something."
He placed the folder on the table.
"This is not a discussion about protecting my reputation, Robert's reputation, or the company's stock price."
He looked at each director.
"This is about a woman who was falsely accused of stealing money, lost her career, and died without receiving justice."
Nobody spoke.
Richard opened the folder.
"Her name was Margaret Ellis."
He placed the first email on the screen.
"She reported unauthorized transfers before she was dismissed."
Then the second document.
"Her employee credentials were attached to a transaction approved through Robert Collins's executive terminal."
Then the third.
"An email from Robert's private account explicitly discusses placing the final transfer under Margaret's employee profile."
A director gasped.
Robert stood.
"This is incomplete information."
Richard looked at him.
"Then explain it."
Robert's face had turned pale.
"These documents have not been authenticated."
"That's why we've commissioned an independent forensic audit."
"You're making a serious mistake."
Richard closed the folder.
"No, Robert. I made that mistake nine years ago."
He looked at the directors.
"Effective immediately, I am requesting a full external investigation into every payment made through Easton Advisory, Northbridge Consulting, and their associated entities."
One director raised a hand.
"Richard, if the allegations are true, this could affect the entire company."
Richard nodded.
"I know."
"Shareholders may lose confidence."
"I know."
"Employees may lose their jobs."
Richard's expression hardened.
"Then we should have thought about that before allowing corruption to destroy innocent people."
Robert suddenly leaned forward.
"You cannot simply accuse me in front of the board."
Richard looked directly at him.
"I'm not accusing you."
He paused.
"I'm giving you the opportunity to explain the documents."
Robert said nothing.
Richard continued.
"And if you refuse, the independent investigators will ask you the same questions under oath."
The room became completely silent.
For the first time in twenty-seven years, Robert Collins appeared to have no answer.
And Richard knew the truth was finally beginning to catch up with him.
END.