Another showed him holding a much younger Tyler.
Evelyn placed a plate in front of her son.
"You've barely eaten today."
Tyler smiled.
"Everyone keeps telling me that."
"Perhaps everyone is right."
He took a bite.
For a few minutes, they ate quietly.
Then Tyler spoke.
"Mom, do you think Dad would have known what to do?"
Evelyn looked at him.
"About the investigation?"
"About everything."
She placed her fork down.
"Your father made mistakes, Tyler."
Tyler seemed surprised.
"He did?"
"Of course. He was human. He sometimes trusted the wrong people. He sometimes worked too much. There were times when he made decisions that he later regretted."
Tyler looked at the photograph.
"But he always tried to make things right?"
"Yes. That was one of the things I loved most about him."
She reached across the table and took Tyler's hand.
"Do you know why your father trusted people?"
"Why?"
"Because he believed that most people wanted to do the right thing when given the opportunity."
She paused.
"But he also understood that trust must be supported by accountability."
Tyler considered that.
"So I shouldn't just trust everyone?"
"You should give people the opportunity to earn your trust. And when someone breaks it, you must have the courage to respond."
Tyler looked down.
"I'm worried about Mr. Harrison."
Evelyn understood.
Harrison had been part of their family for years.
She had trusted him with company matters and had often relied on his advice.
"Then let the evidence guide you," she said.
"What if he really did something wrong?"
"Then you will have to make a difficult decision."
Tyler sighed.
"I wish it were easier."
Evelyn smiled gently.
"Doing the right thing is not always easy. That's why it matters."
The following week, Harrison requested a private meeting with Evelyn.
He arrived at her office carrying no documents.
"Thank you for seeing me," he said.
Evelyn gestured toward a chair.
"Please sit down."
Harrison looked exhausted.
"I understand the investigation has expanded."
"It has."
"And I understand that my office has been mentioned."
Evelyn remained silent.
Harrison folded his hands.
"I want you to know that I have always acted in the company's best interests."
"Then you should have no difficulty cooperating with the investigation."
He looked away.
"Some of the expenses were poorly documented. I accept that."
"Poorly documented?"
"I should have demanded better records."
Evelyn studied him.
"Did you authorize personal travel using company funds?"
Harrison hesitated.
"Some trips included business discussions."
"That wasn't my question."
He exhaled.
"Yes. There were personal elements."
"Did you understand that the expenses were being charged to the company?"
"Yes."
Evelyn's expression changed.
"Then why did you allow it?"
Harrison rubbed his forehead.
"Because it was presented as part of a long-standing executive arrangement. I believed it was acceptable."
"Did Marcus know about it?"
Harrison did not answer.
Evelyn leaned forward.
"Did my husband know?"
"I don't believe he did."
"Are you certain?"
"No."
The room became quiet.
Evelyn stood and walked toward the window.
"Marcus trusted you."
"I know."
"He trusted you to protect this company."
"I know."
"And he trusted you to protect our son."
Harrison lowered his head.
"I'm sorry."
Evelyn turned.
"An apology cannot replace honesty, Mr. Harrison."
He nodded.
"I understand."
"Then tell the independent investigators everything. Do not hide documents. Do not contact witnesses. Do not attempt to influence the board."
"I won't."
Evelyn looked at him for several seconds.
"I hope you understand that this is bigger than your position."
"I do."
But when Harrison left the office, Evelyn was no longer certain that she could trust him.
Two days later, the investigation team discovered an email that changed everything.
The message had been sent by Harrison to Victor Reynolds nearly a year earlier.
Its contents were brief.
Keep the customer-service issue contained. We cannot afford another public controversy before the expansion announcement. Handle the complaints quietly and make sure the board receives the consolidated figures rather than the individual reports.
Margaret read the email aloud.
Tyler remained completely still.
"Does this prove that Harrison knew about the altered reports?" he asked.
"It proves that he instructed Victor to contain the complaints and limit the information reaching the board," Margaret replied.
"Does it prove he ordered the reports to be falsified?"
"Not by itself."
Tyler nodded.
"Then we need more evidence."
Margaret opened another document.
"We also found an internal message from Victor."
She placed it on the table.
The message was directed to a department supervisor.
Reclassify the sensitive complaints before the quarterly review. We need clean figures.
Tyler closed his eyes.
For a moment, he imagined his father sitting across from him.