The independent investigation continued for another two weeks.
During that time, Skybridge Airlines appointed an external auditing firm to examine every payment connected to Project Horizon.
The findings were worse than anyone had anticipated.
The four million dollars initially identified by Margaret Collins represented only part of the financial irregularities.
Additional payments had been transferred through several intermediary companies, creating a complicated network of transactions across different jurisdictions.
The auditors eventually identified approximately $6.8 million in questionable payments.
Evelyn received the preliminary report on a Monday morning.
She sat in her office, carefully reviewing the findings while Olivia Bennett prepared her schedule.
"Ms. Carter, the external auditors are waiting in Conference Room Three."
"Thank you. I'll be there in five minutes."
Evelyn closed the report.
She had expected the investigation to uncover serious problems.
She had not expected the financial irregularities to involve so many people.
When she entered the conference room, Margaret was already present with Robert Hayes and two representatives from the auditing firm.
The lead auditor, Stephen Miller, opened his laptop.
"We've completed the initial transaction analysis."
"Please explain the findings," Evelyn said.
Stephen displayed a financial diagram.
"Money was transferred from Skybridge to three registered consulting companies. Those companies then distributed funds to several smaller entities."
"Who controlled those entities?"
"Two were connected to Peter Lawson. Another was registered under the name of a former commercial department employee."
Margaret frowned.
"Was that employee involved?"
"We haven't established that. The company may have been used without their knowledge."
Evelyn studied the diagram.
"Where does the money eventually go?"
Stephen enlarged the final section.
Several payments had been made to an offshore account.
The beneficiary was listed as a private investment company.
Evelyn recognized the name.
"Northstar Advisory Group."
Robert looked up.
"Do you know it?"
"No. But I've seen it in another document."
She opened her folder and retrieved the copy of Laura Mitchell's original complaint.
Northstar Advisory Group appeared in the handwritten notes.
Stephen nodded.
"That's correct. We found references to the same company in several payment records."
"Can we identify the beneficial owner?"
"Not yet. We're working with the appropriate authorities to establish the ownership structure."
Evelyn looked toward Margaret.
"Have we identified every employee who approved these transactions?"
"Almost."
Margaret displayed another list.
Richard Blackwell's name appeared several times.
So did Daniel Brooks.
But there was a third name.
Victor Hale β Board Member, Strategic Development Committee.
The room became silent.
Evelyn looked at the name.
"Victor Hale?"
Margaret nodded.
"He chaired the strategic development committee during the period when Project Horizon was approved."
"Has he been interviewed?"
"Not yet."
Robert closed his folder.
"We should arrange that carefully. He is still a member of the board."
Evelyn leaned back.
"Then the board should temporarily remove him from the investigation committee and preserve all records connected to his department."
Margaret agreed.
That afternoon, Victor Hale received a formal request to attend a confidential meeting.
He was a wealthy investor in his early sixties, known for his connections with several international companies. Unlike Richard, he rarely raised his voice or openly intimidated employees.
His influence was quieter.
He had built relationships with board members, investors, and external consultants over many years.
When he entered the conference room, he looked entirely relaxed.
"Good afternoon. I understand you have some questions."
Evelyn gestured toward a chair.
"Thank you for coming, Mr. Hale."
Victor smiled.
"Of course. Anything to help the company."
Robert placed a copy of the transaction report on the table.
"We found several payments connected to Northstar Advisory Group."
Victor glanced at the document.
"That company provided strategic consulting services."
"Can you identify the services?"
"Market research, investment analysis, and international expansion planning."
"Do you have supporting reports?"
Victor paused.
"I would need to check."
Margaret placed another document beside the first.
"This is an email showing that you personally approved one of the payments."
Victor looked at the screen.
His expression changed slightly.
"That email may have been forwarded without context."
Evelyn remained composed.
"Then please provide the context."
Victor looked directly at her.
"Ms. Carter, I respect your enthusiasm. But there are matters involving long-term strategic partnerships that may be difficult for someone new to the company to understand."
Evelyn smiled faintly.
"I've heard that explanation before."
Victor's expression hardened.
"Then perhaps you should listen more carefully."
Robert intervened.
"We are not asking you to disclose privileged information without proper authorization. We are asking for documents supporting the payments."
Victor stood.
"I'll have my office review everything."
"Please preserve all relevant records," Robert reminded him.
Victor nodded and walked out.
After the meeting, Margaret turned toward Evelyn.
"Do you think he was involved?"
"I think he knows more than he is telling us."
Later that evening, Evelyn received a call from Michael Foster.
"I found something else," he said.
"What is it?"
"I remembered an old email from Richard. It mentioned a private meeting between him, Daniel, and Victor Hale."
"Do you have the email?"
"I do. And there's an attachment."
Michael sent it immediately.
Evelyn opened the file.
It contained a scanned document titled:
PROJECT HORIZON β EXECUTIVE DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT.
At the bottom were three signatures.
Richard Blackwell.
Daniel Brooks.
Victor Hale.
Evelyn stared at the page.
The investigation had finally reached the people who had designed the arrangement.
But one question remained.
Why had Victor Hale been so confident that nobody would ever discover it?