Richard reached into his jacket and removed the envelope.
He placed it carefully on the table.
"Before anyone makes another accusation, I suggest we look at the facts."
Marcus folded his arms.
"Go ahead. Show us your excuses."
Richard opened the envelope.
Inside were several printed documents, a bank transfer summary, and a letter bearing the signature of a financial investigator.
Emily moved closer.
Catherine remained beside her husband.
Richard spread the papers across the table.
"Three months ago, Marcus and I entered an agreement to develop a residential care facility for elderly people who could no longer afford private assistance."
Catherine nodded slowly. She remembered the project. Richard had talked about it for months, explaining how much it meant to him.
His own mother had spent the final years of her life in a facility where the staff were overworked and the residents were often neglected. He had promised himself that if he ever had the opportunity, he would help create something better.
"The initial funding came from several investors," Richard continued. "My company provided the building and part of the operating budget. Marcus's firm was responsible for construction management and supplier payments."
Marcus interrupted.
"Everyone knows that."
"Then you should also know that the project account was supposed to be used exclusively for construction, equipment, and staffing."
"Exactly."
Richard pointed to one of the pages.
"These are the transactions that raised concerns."
Marcus glanced down.
"They prove my point."
"No. They prove that money was transferred to a company that was not listed in our approved supplier records."
Marcus's expression changed.
Only slightly.
But Emily noticed.
Richard continued.
"The transfer was authorized using credentials associated with your office."
"That's ridiculous."
"The account was accessed using a device registered to your company."
"That doesn't prove I did anything."
"You're correct," Richard replied. "Which is why I hired an independent investigator instead of making accusations."
For the first time since entering the house, Marcus had no immediate answer.
Richard slid another document across the table.
"The investigation is still ongoing. The investigator has identified several transfers that require explanation. Some were made to a consulting company with no verified business address. Others were listed as payments for equipment that was never delivered."
Catherine looked at the documents.
"How much money?"
Richard hesitated.
"Approximately eight hundred thousand dollars."
Catherine inhaled sharply.
Emily felt as though the floor had shifted beneath her feet.
Marcus immediately pointed at Richard.
"That's exactly why I'm here! The money disappeared under your supervision, and now you're trying to blame me."
Richard shook his head.
"I'm not blaming you. I'm asking you to explain the transactions."
"You're accusing me!"
"I'm asking questions."
"You brought an investigator into our business without telling me!"
"Because the records contained irregularities, and I needed to protect the investors."
Marcus's face reddened.
"You had no right."
Richard's voice remained calm.
"I had a responsibility."
Those five words seemed to anger Marcus more than anything else.
He swept several papers aside with his hand.
"You self-righteous old man. You think you can hide behind your reputation and destroy my career?"
Catherine stepped forward.
"Enough!"
Her voice was firm enough to stop him.
"You came here accusing my husband of dishonesty. He has shown you evidence that deserves an explanation. If you have nothing to hide, then cooperate with the investigation."
Marcus stared at her.
Then he looked at Richard.
For the first time, his confidence seemed uncertain.
But instead of answering the questions, he grabbed his phone and headed toward the door.
"This isn't over."
Richard did not follow him.
"No," he said quietly. "It isn't."
Marcus stopped with his hand on the doorknob.
He turned around.
"And when this is over, you'll regret humiliating me."
Richard met his eyes.
"Marcus, you have misunderstood something important. I have not tried to humiliate you. I have tried to give you an opportunity to tell the truth before this situation becomes worse."
Marcus said nothing.
"That opportunity is still available," Richard added.
For several seconds, the younger man stood motionless.
Then he opened the door and walked out.
The door slammed behind him.
Emily finally released the breath she had been holding.
Catherine turned toward her husband.
"Richard, what is going on?"
He looked down at the scattered documents.
"I was hoping I could resolve this quietly."
"Eight hundred thousand dollars is not something you can simply resolve quietly."
"I know."
"Then why didn't you tell me?"
Richard's expression softened.
"Because I didn't want to worry you until I knew what had happened."
Catherine shook her head.