But she needed proof.
She turned toward Daniel's local security contact.
"Can you arrange for the hangar footage to be preserved?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Every camera. From the moment I entered the facility."
"Understood."
"And please obtain the visitor logs."
"Certainly."
Richard heard the conversation.
"Why are you involving security?"
Naomi looked at him.
"Because I asked them to preserve evidence."
"Evidence of what?"
"Everything."
Richard stepped forward.
"You're overreacting."
Naomi gave him a measured look.
"Then you should have nothing to worry about."
At noon, the executives moved into a small conference room beside the hangar.
The room had a long glass table, six leather chairs, and a wall-mounted display showing the company's fleet information.
Naomi sat opposite Richard.
Elizabeth joined through a secure video connection.
Daniel Mercer was also on the call.
Robert Lang sat beside Naomi, carrying the brown envelope.
Martin Hale remained silent.
Peter Caldwell looked increasingly anxious.
Richard opened the meeting.
"Let's establish one thing. Sterling Aerospace has operated successfully for more than thirty years. We have a strong safety record, a loyal customer base, and significant assets."
Naomi listened.
"We are not going to allow a few administrative inconsistencies to destroy a major transaction."
Elizabeth spoke through the screen.
"Mr. Voss, the issues identified so far are not limited to administrative inconsistencies."
Richard frowned.
"Your team hasn't completed its review."
"That's correct. Which is why we have requested additional documentation."
Richard leaned back.
"And I am willing to provide it."
Naomi opened the escrow amendment.
"Then perhaps you can explain this."
Richard glanced at the screen.
His face changed.
"That was a preliminary proposal."
"Why did you request an early release of $125 million?"
"Working capital."
"Your original agreement states that the full purchase price will be released only after the closing conditions are satisfied."
"Correct."
"Why did you attempt to change that?"
"Because the company has immediate operational needs."
Naomi looked at him.
"Which needs?"
Richard hesitated.
"Payroll, suppliers, maintenance costs, and other expenses."
Daniel Mercer spoke.
"According to the financial statements provided by Sterling, you have sufficient working capital to meet those obligations through the next two quarters."
Richard looked at the screen.
"Those statements are outdated."
"Then why did you certify them?"
Richard said nothing.
Naomi opened another file.
"According to our preliminary review, Sterling has approximately $310 million in outstanding obligations."
Peter shifted in his chair.
Richard's expression became guarded.
"That figure includes long-term financing."
"Yes."
"Which is normal in aviation."
"Agreed."
"But it doesn't mean the company is insolvent."
"I didn't say it did."
Naomi placed the escrow amendment on the table.
"I am asking why you attempted to obtain $125 million before completing the sale."
Richard leaned forward.
"Because the transaction is important to the company."
"More important than the accuracy of the documents?"
"That's a ridiculous question."
"Then answer it."
The room became silent.
Finally, Richard spoke.
"Sterling has obligations. We have employees. We have aircraft operators depending on us. The agreement is necessary to protect the business."
Naomi nodded.
"Then you should understand why we cannot proceed without verification."
Richard looked toward Peter.
Peter looked away.
Something passed between them.
Naomi noticed.
"Mr. Caldwell, do you have something to add?"
Peter hesitated.
"No."
"Are you certain?"
Richard interrupted.
"Peter has nothing to add."
Naomi closed the folder.
"Then I think we're finished for now."
Richard looked surprised.
"Finished?"
"Yes."
"We haven't reached an agreement."
"We haven't reached a point where an agreement is possible."
Naomi stood.
Elizabeth spoke from the screen.
"Ms. Brooks, I recommend issuing a formal suspension notice pending technical and financial verification."
Naomi nodded.
"Prepare it."
Richard stood abruptly.
"You're suspending the transaction?"
"Yes."
"You can't do that."
Naomi looked at him.
"The agreement contains clear conditions for closing."
"You're going to destroy this company over a few missing documents?"
"No, Mr. Voss."
She picked up her handbag.
"Your decisions may have done that."
The next morning, Naomi was back at Northstar's headquarters.
She had slept for barely four hours.
Her phone had not stopped ringing.
The suspension notice had been delivered to Sterling's legal department shortly after noon the previous day.
The response was immediate.
Richard had sent an angry letter accusing Northstar of acting in bad faith, deliberately delaying the transaction, and attempting to renegotiate the purchase price.
Naomi read it once.
Then she handed it to Elizabeth.
"Respond through counsel."
Elizabeth nodded.
"Already preparing it."
Daniel entered the room.
"We've received the first independent audit results."
Naomi looked up.
"How bad?"
"Bad enough."
He placed a document on the table.
"The technical team identified seven aircraft with incomplete or inconsistent maintenance histories."
"Seven?"
"Yes."
"Any safety-critical concerns?"
"Two aircraft require immediate inspection before they can be considered for normal operation."
Naomi's expression tightened.
"Have they been grounded?"
"The independent team has recommended that they remain out of service pending inspection."
"Notify the relevant parties."
"Already done."
"What about the spare parts?"
"Twenty-seven serial numbers remain unexplained."
Naomi turned another page.
"Any evidence of deliberate alteration?"
Daniel hesitated.
"Yes."
He opened a separate report.