They were discussing the final schedule when Marcus appeared at the edge of the plaza.
He carried the same backpack.
His jacket was still worn.
His expression was calm.
Richard noticed him immediately.
"What is he doing here again?"
Vanessa followed his gaze.
"You have got to be kidding."
Marcus approached.
"Good morning."
Richard stepped forward.
"I told you to stay away."
"I was invited to attend the independent review."
"By whom?"
"Members of the board oversight committee."
Vanessa laughed.
"That's impossible."
Marcus reached into his backpack and removed a printed invitation.
Richard looked at it.
His expression tightened.
The invitation was genuine.
But he refused to accept it.
"This is a private event."
"The oversight committee requested my presence."
"Then they can speak to you somewhere else."
Marcus looked toward the entrance.
"I am willing to do that."
Richard turned to security.
"Remove him."
One of the guards approached.
Marcus remained still.
"I won't resist," he said. "But I recommend you contact the committee before taking any action."
Richard ignored him.
"Get him out of here."
The guard reached toward Marcus's arm.
Marcus stepped back.
"I said I won't resist. You don't need to touch me."
Vanessa crossed her arms.
"You're making a scene."
"No," Marcus replied. "I'm asking for a meeting."
Richard pointed toward the street.
"Go."
Marcus looked at him for a long moment.
"You had three years to correct this."
Richard shook his head.
"You're still blaming everybody but yourself."
Marcus turned away.
"Then I suppose we'll let the evidence decide."
He walked toward the building's side entrance.
Richard watched him go.
Vanessa leaned closer.
"Do you want me to call the police?"
"No. Let him make a fool of himself."
But the chairman's confidence was beginning to disappear.
He looked at the sky.
A helicopter was approaching.
The sound grew louder as the aircraft crossed the buildings.
Richard adjusted his jacket.
"Come on," he told Vanessa. "We need to be on the roof."
They entered the building.
Marcus was not allowed to use the main elevator.
A security officer directed him to a waiting area near the service entrance.
He sat quietly.
He had expected resistance.
He had not expected the chairman to be so visibly frightened.
A few minutes later, a man in a blue security uniform approached.
"Mr. Reed?"
Marcus looked up.
"Yes?"
"Someone from the oversight committee is asking for you."
"Who?"
"Ms. Eleanor Hayes. She's waiting upstairs."
Marcus stood.
The guard led him toward a private elevator.
As they passed through the corridor, employees stared.
Some recognized him.
A few whispered.
One older engineer stepped out of an office.
"Marcus?"
Marcus stopped.
It was Peter Lawson, a former colleague who had worked on the Orion project.
Peter looked uncomfortable.
"I heard you were coming."
"How are you?"
"Fine. I suppose."
Peter lowered his voice.
"Is it true? Do you really have the original files?"
Marcus nodded.
Peter looked toward the security guard.
"Be careful. People here are nervous."
"I know."
Peter hesitated.
"I should have said something three years ago."
Marcus looked at him.
"Why didn't you?"
Peter's eyes dropped.
"I was afraid of losing my job."
Marcus nodded slowly.
"I understand."
Peter seemed surprised.
"I don't expect you to forgive me."
"I'm not here to collect apologies."
Marcus continued toward the elevator.
The doors closed.
On the rooftop, Richard stood beside the helicopter.
The aircraft had landed safely.
A man in a charcoal suit stepped out first, followed by two members of the oversight committee.
Richard recognized Eleanor Hayes.
He had met her several times.
She was a respected corporate governance specialist and had been appointed to lead the independent review.
Richard greeted her with a smile.
"Eleanor. Welcome."
She did not return the smile.
"Richard."
Vanessa approached.
"We're ready to begin the presentation."
"Not yet," Eleanor said.
Richard frowned.
"Is something wrong?"
"We need to discuss the Orion documentation."
Richard glanced at Vanessa.
"That can wait until after the launch."
"No. It cannot."
Eleanor handed him a folder.
"These records indicate that the original safety report was altered. They also suggest that the system was approved using credentials belonging to an employee who had already been dismissed."
Richard's face changed.
"Where did you get these?"
"From an independent submission."
"These documents are incomplete."
"Then you should have no objection to reviewing the original records."
Vanessa stepped forward.
"This is a misunderstanding. The company has already completed an internal investigation."
"That investigation is part of the concern."
Richard looked around.
Employees were beginning to gather.
A journalist near the rooftop entrance raised a camera.
"Let's discuss this privately," Richard said.
Eleanor shook her head.
"The board has requested a formal review. We will not postpone it for a product demonstration."