Richard's expression hardened.
"Then tell me what you can."
Another pause.
"She didn't simply resign, Mr. Whitmore. She was dismissed after an internal investigation."
Richard stared through the window.
"An investigation into what?"
"Financial misconduct. A missing transfer. Approximately two million dollars."
Richard's fingers tightened around the phone.
"Who authorized that investigation?"
"You did, sir."
The words seemed to drain the warmth from the cabin.
Richard remembered signing dozens of documents that year. His company had been expanding rapidly, and he had delegated much of the administrative work to his executives.
He remembered Margaret's name appearing in a report.
He remembered being told that she had betrayed his trust.
He remembered signing the termination order.
But he did not remember speaking to her.
Not once.
"Send me the entire file," he said.
"Sir, there's something else."
"What?"
"Her dismissal was followed by a settlement agreement. She was required to surrender her company benefits and sign a confidentiality clause."
Richard closed his eyes.
"Send everything."
He ended the call.
Across the aisle, Lily was now leaning against her mother's shoulder.
The woman kissed her forehead.
Richard watched them for a moment.
Then he made a decision.
He unfastened his seat belt and stood up.
The flight attendant approached immediately.
"Sir, is there a problem?"
"No. I'd like to speak with the woman in seat 3A."
"Certainly. Would you like me to ask her?"
Richard shook his head.
"No. I'll ask her myself."
He walked slowly toward them.
The woman noticed him approaching and instinctively placed one arm around Lily.
Richard stopped a few feet away.
"Excuse me," he said.
The woman looked up.
"Yes?"
"My name is Richard Whitmore."
"I know who you are."
Her answer was quiet.
But there was something in it that made him stop.
"Then perhaps you can tell me why your face looks so familiar."
The woman studied him for several seconds.
"My name is Emily Ellis."
Richard felt his stomach tighten.
"Ellis?"
She nodded.
"My mother was Margaret Ellis."
For a moment, the only sound between them was the steady hum of the aircraft.
Richard looked at the little girl.
Then back at Emily.
"Margaret's daughter?"
"Yes."
He swallowed.
"I see."
Emily gave a small, humorless smile.
"Do you?"
Richard had no answer.
Emily turned toward the window.
"My mother used to tell me stories about you. She said you were once a decent man who believed that people deserved to be treated fairly."
Richard lowered his eyes.
"Your mother and I worked together for many years."
"I know."
"How is she?"
Emily's expression changed.
The faint warmth in her face disappeared.
"She passed away three years ago."
Richard felt the words strike him.
"I'm sorry."
Emily nodded, but she did not look at him.
"She was sick for a long time. We couldn't afford the treatment she needed."
Richard's throat tightened.
"Why didn't she contact me?"
Emily finally looked directly at him.
"She did."
He froze.
"What?"
"She contacted you several times. She wrote letters. She called your office. She even came to your company headquarters once."
Richard shook his head.
"I never heard about any of that."
"Maybe you should ask the people who worked for you."
There was no anger in Emily's voice now.
That somehow made it worse.
She continued.
"My mother never wanted your money. She only wanted you to know that she hadn't stolen anything."
Richard looked down at his hands.
The aircraft suddenly felt much smaller.
He remembered the investigation.
He remembered the missing money.
He remembered how quickly he had accepted the report.
But most of all, he remembered the woman who had worked beside him for nearly twenty years.
Margaret had been loyal.
She had protected him during business crises, corrected his mistakes, and stayed late when everyone else had gone home.
He had trusted her with his company.
Yet when someone accused her of stealing, he had not even given her the chance to explain.
"Emily," he said slowly, "I didn't know."
She gave a tired smile.
"That's what everyone says when it's too late."
Lily looked between them.
"Mommy?"
Emily turned toward her.
"Yes, sweetheart?"
"Is this the man Grandma used to talk about?"
Emily hesitated.
Then she nodded.
"Yes."
Lily looked at Richard with innocent curiosity.
"Grandma said he was supposed to be her friend."