Just a black blazer, matching trousers, and low heels.
She carried the same black leather handbag.
At the entrance, a receptionist immediately stood.
"Good morning, Ms. Brooks."
"Good morning."
"We've been expecting you."
A security supervisor approached.
"Ms. Brooks, welcome back. I'm Thomas Ellis, the facility security manager."
Naomi shook his hand.
"I appreciate you meeting us."
"I wanted to personally apologize for what happened during your previous visit."
"Thank you."
"The guard involved has been removed from visitor-facing duties pending the internal review."
Naomi nodded.
"Please ensure he receives a fair process."
Thomas looked slightly surprised.
"Of course."
Naomi entered the hangar.
The white private jet was still there.
So was the gray rolling tool cart.
The tablet folder had been recovered from the floor and placed inside a protective document case.
Robert Lang stood beside the aircraft.
When he saw Naomi, he approached.
"Good morning, Ms. Brooks."
"Good morning, Robert."
"Thank you for coming back."
She smiled faintly.
"I'm here for the aircraft."
He nodded.
"Then I think you'll be interested in what we've found."
He led her toward the maintenance area.
The independent auditors began their work.
They inspected the engine records, examined component serial numbers, and compared the aircraft's recorded flight hours with the original logs.
Naomi watched quietly.
For several hours, the hangar was filled with the sounds of technical discussions.
Nobody laughed.
Nobody questioned her right to be there.
Nobody attempted to move her documents.
The difference was remarkable.
At 1:30 p.m., the audit team completed its preliminary inspection.
Samuel Reed approached Naomi.
"There's good news and bad news."
"Start with the good."
"Most of the aircraft are in better condition than the paperwork suggested."
"And the bad?"
"Two require significant maintenance before they can return to normal service. One has a component that must be replaced, and another needs a full engine inspection."
Naomi nodded.
"Can they be repaired?"
"Yes."
"Estimated cost?"
Samuel gave her the preliminary figure.
Naomi reviewed it.
"That's manageable."
"Assuming the remaining records are accurate."
"Then we'll verify them."
Samuel smiled.
"You sound like your father."
Naomi looked at him.
"Did he ever tell you about the first aircraft he inspected?"
Samuel laughed.
"Of course. He said the mechanic who painted it should have spent more time checking the landing gear."
Naomi smiled.
"That sounds like him."
For a brief moment, the pressure of the transaction disappeared.
She remembered being ten years old, standing beside her father near an aircraft engine.
He had shown her a small metal component and explained why a tiny defect could become a major problem.
She had asked him why people didn't simply trust the maintenance department.
He had answered:
"Because trust is not a substitute for inspection."
She had carried that lesson into every business she built.
At 3:00 p.m., Jonathan Pierce arrived.
He approached Naomi near the aircraft.
"Ms. Brooks."
"Mr. Pierce."
"Thank you for returning."
"I hope the documents are better this time."
Jonathan gave a tired smile.
"They are."
"Good."
He looked toward the inspection team.
"I understand you've identified additional work."
"Yes."
"Will that prevent the transaction?"
"Not necessarily."
Jonathan looked relieved.
Naomi continued.
"But the structure will have to change."
"How?"
"We'll purchase only the assets that pass independent verification. The remaining aircraft will stay outside the transaction until their maintenance and title issues are resolved."
Jonathan nodded.
"That sounds reasonable."
"Any liabilities connected to the disputed maintenance records must remain with Sterling."
"Agreed."
"And the compliance department must report directly to the board, not to the chief executive."
Jonathan considered the proposal.
"I can support that."
Naomi looked toward him.
"There's another matter."
"Go ahead."
"Your company needs a leadership review."
Jonathan nodded slowly.
"I know."
"Richard's conduct was unacceptable."
"I agree."
"But the issue is bigger than one morning in the hangar."
Jonathan looked at the aircraft.
"I understand."
Naomi continued.
"The company has employees who have spent decades maintaining these aircraft. They deserve better than executives who treat accurate records as an inconvenience."
Jonathan was quiet.
Then he said, "I think you're right."
The following month was difficult for Sterling Aerospace.
The independent investigation confirmed that several maintenance records had been improperly altered.
The investigation did not establish that every discrepancy had been personally created by Richard, but it did establish that his executive office had authorized changes without the required technical approvals.
Martin Hale admitted that he had signed documents he did not fully understand.
Peter Caldwell acknowledged that he had known about the company's financial difficulties and had supported the request for an early escrow release.
Robert Lang provided the original maintenance records and cooperated with the investigators.
The board eventually removed Richard Voss as chief executive officer.
Martin was dismissed following an internal disciplinary review.
Peter resigned from his executive position.
Richard hired an attorney and denied wrongdoing.
He released a statement describing the investigation as an attempt to blame senior management for historical administrative failures.
But the documents told a more complicated story.
The company also faced a significant restructuring.
Several creditors agreed to temporary extensions.
Some suppliers negotiated revised payment schedules.