Daniel opened the email again.
It had been sent by Rebecca Stone, the chief legal officer of Brooks Meridian.
The message was brief.
Daniel,
We have received information from an independent source suggesting that certain financial documents associated with Whitmore Holdings may have been manipulated. Please do not sign any preliminary acquisition agreement until we complete our review.
There is also a concern that individuals within the company may have attempted to interfere with our due diligence process.
Call me immediately.
Daniel read the message twice.
He looked toward Eleanor.
"Did you know my legal department had already received a warning?"
She shook her head.
"No."
"Someone else is investigating."
He forwarded the email to his secure business account and called Rebecca.
She answered almost immediately.
"Daniel, where are you?"
"Still aboard the aircraft."
"Have you received the warning?"
"Yes. I'm with Eleanor Whitmore."
There was a pause.
"You're with the former chairwoman?"
"Yes."
"Is she safe?"
Daniel glanced at the elderly woman.
"For now."
Rebecca lowered her voice.
"Daniel, listen carefully. We have reason to believe the airport infrastructure division has been using several subcontractors to move money between related entities."
"How much money?"
"We're still verifying the numbers."
"Do you have evidence connecting Richard Whitmore?"
"Not directly. But his name appears in several internal approval chains."
Daniel looked at the USB drive.
"I may have something that changes that."
Rebecca immediately became more attentive.
"What do you have?"
"Potentially relevant financial records and a recording of a board meeting."
"Where did you get them?"
"From Eleanor."
Another pause followed.
"Daniel, do not connect that drive to your laptop. We need to preserve it as potential evidence."
"Understood."
Rebecca continued.
"Has anyone else seen the documents?"
"Isabella Hayes, the flight attendant, knows about the situation. The captain has also been informed."
"Good. Keep the evidence secure. Do not allow anyone to take it from you."
Daniel ended the call.
He placed the phone on the table.
Eleanor watched him.
"Bad news?"
"Not exactly. My legal department has been investigating the same issue."
She looked surprised.
"Then perhaps we're not alone."
"Perhaps."
Suddenly, Isabella approached.
"Mr. Brooks, I need to inform you that another vehicle has arrived at the aircraft."
Daniel turned toward the window.
A black luxury SUV had stopped near the stairs.
Two men in dark suits stepped out.
One carried a briefcase.
The other spoke with an airport employee.
Daniel's expression tightened.
"Do you know who they are?"
"No, sir. Ground operations hasn't identified them."
Eleanor looked through the window.
Her face changed immediately.
"Richard sent them."
Daniel turned.
"Are you sure?"
She nodded.
"The man carrying the briefcase is Martin Cole. He works in the company's executive security department."
Isabella looked concerned.
"Should I inform the captain?"
"Yes," Daniel answered.
He stood and approached the cockpit door.
Before he could knock, Captain Hayes opened it.
"Mr. Brooks, we have a problem."
"What is it?"
"The ground team has received an instruction to remove Mrs. Whitmore's personal belongings and transfer her to the waiting vehicle."
Daniel frowned.
"Who authorized that?"
"The charter operator claims it came from the company's executive office."
"Does the captain have an official written request?"
"Not yet."
Daniel shook his head.
"Then nobody should be removing anything."
Captain Hayes nodded.
"That's my position as well."
Eleanor stood.
"Daniel, let them take me."
He turned sharply.
"What?"
"If I remain here, they may cause trouble for the crew."
"That's exactly what they want."
"I don't want anyone else getting involved."
Daniel looked at her.
"Mrs. Whitmore, you spent years trying to expose this. You cannot give up now because someone has arrived in a black car."
She lowered her eyes.
"Richard is my son."
The words were barely audible.
Daniel's expression softened.
"I understand."
"No, you don't. I raised him. I taught him how to negotiate, how to build relationships, and how to lead people. I never imagined he would become someone I needed protection from."
Isabella approached quietly.
"Ma'am, whatever happens, you deserve to be treated fairly."
Eleanor looked at her.
For the first time, she smiled genuinely.
"Thank you."
Outside, one of the men approached the aircraft stairs.
He raised his hand and signaled for the door to be opened.
Captain Hayes remained firm.
"Nobody boards without my authorization."
Daniel nodded.
"Then let's keep it that way."
He returned to the cabin and picked up his phone.
There was one person he needed to contact.
The head of airport security.
And this time, he would make sure the conversation was officially documented.
Within fifteen minutes, the situation had attracted the attention of airport security.
The two men outside the aircraft were instructed to remain near their vehicle while the charter operator verified their identities and authority.
Nobody was permitted to enter the aircraft without the captain's approval.