Chương 5
Asha removed her glasses.
“Tell me everything you remember.”
Nathaniel did.
He described the blue binder, Ellen’s allegations, the unauthorized Alvarez payment, Richard’s summary, the financing deadline, and the termination letter. He did not try to improve his role.
When he finished, no one spoke for several moments.
Daniel wrote one final line and set down his pen.
Celia said, “You understand that any current investigation will examine your conduct.”
“Yes.”
“You may have signed false certifications.”
“Yes.”
“You may have breached fiduciary duties.”
“Yes.”
“You say yes very easily.”
“It was easier twelve years ago.”
Asha’s expression remained neutral. “The notice creates two separate issues. First, whether Bellweather Holdings or any related entity is connected to Graves Energy. Second, whether records were improperly altered or concealed. We need forensic imaging of Mr. Vale’s company phone and preservation of relevant systems.”
“Do it,” Nathaniel said.
“You cannot direct the investigation,” Celia replied.
“Then you do it.”
“I intend to.”
Nathaniel pushed the reproduction toward Daniel.
“There is also a family facing eviction.”
Asha said, “We can notify the property owner that the notice is disputed.”
“They need more than a notification.”
“They need independent counsel,” Daniel said. “Ms. Carter made that clear.”
Celia’s voice sharpened. “Do not contact them directly until counsel approves.”
Nathaniel looked at the blank screen representing her audio connection.
“Ruby is eight.”
“That does not eliminate litigation risk.”
“No. It merely clarifies what we are discussing.”
“We are discussing both. That is my responsibility.”
Asha raised a hand. “We can arrange a neutral legal-services referral without directing counsel or conditioning payment. But any offer from Graves Energy may later be characterized as an attempt to influence witnesses.”
“Then make no offer,” Nathaniel said. “Just ensure they have access.”
Celia said, “And you will not visit them.”
Nathaniel did not answer.
“Nathaniel.”
“I heard you.”
“That was not agreement.”
“No.”
Celia’s tone cooled. “Effective immediately, the independent committee will oversee this matter. Julian’s access remains suspended. You will preserve your records and refrain from contacting potential witnesses.”
“Understood.”
“Say it correctly.”
Nathaniel looked at Daniel, who did not help him.
“I will not contact the Carters without authorization.”
The call ended.
Daniel remained seated.
“You were planning to go there,” he said.
“Yes.”
“Don’t.”
Nathaniel stood and walked to the window. From the fortieth floor, people below appeared too small to carry recognizable burdens. Traffic moved in ordered lines. Rooftop vents released white vapor into the evening.
“I keep thinking about the way she held that notice,” he said.
“Ruby?”
“Leah.”
Daniel waited.
“She held it as if we had already taken something from her.”
“You had.”
Nathaniel looked at him.
Daniel adjusted his black tie. “You asked me seven years ago never to soften information because I thought you might dislike it.”
“I remember.”
“You did not read Ellen Carter’s binder. You signed the letter that ended her career. Now her family is being evicted by an entity connected to the same program. Whatever your intention was, they have lived with the result.”
Nathaniel returned his attention to the window.
“Do you think I knew?”
“I think you knew enough to avoid learning more.”
That landed with an accuracy Nathaniel resented.
Daniel collected his legal pad.
“Your driver is downstairs.”
“I’ll walk.”
“It’s six miles.”
“Then I’ll take a cab.”
“You have a dinner with the pension committee.”
“Cancel it.”
“They flew in from Ohio.”
Nathaniel turned.
Daniel’s face remained composed.
The world did not stop because an old crime had opened under Nathaniel’s feet. Retired engineers were waiting to discuss healthcare contributions. A refinery labor agreement expired in three weeks. A pipeline inspection report was due before morning. Thousands of people who had never heard of Ellen Carter still depended on decisions made in the tower.
Nathaniel sat again.
“Move dinner to eight.”
Daniel nodded.
“And find out whether the Carters received a legal referral.”
“I’ll ask Asha.”
“Not them.”
“I understood the instruction.”
Nathaniel looked at the pink notice.
The old silver torch seemed almost childish now, an emblem designed when the company still placed pictures of oil rigs in annual reports and called communities stakeholders.
“Daniel.”
“Yes?”
“Find the Alvarez family.”
Daniel’s hand paused on the door.
“Through counsel?”
“Yes.”
“What are you hoping they will say?”
Nathaniel touched the edge of the notice.
“That Ellen was wrong.”
Daniel gave him a tired look.
“At least that answer is honest.”
Leah did not sleep that night.
Mr. Hanley returned to the apartment at four with a maintenance worker and a clipboard. He said they needed to inspect the smoke detectors. Leah stood in the doorway and refused entry. A volunteer tenant attorney named Maren Holt arrived twenty minutes later, wearing scuffed boots and carrying a canvas bag filled with files.
Maren was in her early forties, with short blond hair and the habit of asking a question, waiting through the first answer, then asking it again.
“Who owns the building?” she asked Mr. Hanley.
“Bellweather Holdings.”
“Who owns Bellweather Holdings?”
“I manage the property. I don’t handle ownership.”
“Who instructed you to serve this notice?”
“The regional office.”
“Name.”
“I’d have to check.”
“Check.”
Mr. Hanley glanced at Leah. “I’m just doing my job.”
“So am I,” Maren said. “Mine involves writing down the names of people who say that.”
The maintenance worker looked at the ceiling.
Mr. Hanley left without inspecting anything.
Ellen sat at the kitchen table with her oxygen tube beneath her nose. She had dressed before Leah came home, which meant she was frightened. She wore a burgundy cardigan and both socks despite the swelling in her left foot.
Ruby sat beside her, doing multiplication problems with a yellow pencil.
“Seven times eight,” Ellen said.
“Fifty-six.”
“Eight times seven.”
Ruby gave her a look.
“They’re the same.”
“Life gets people by making them think the same thing will arrive in the same order.”
May you like
Maren looked up from the notice. “Mrs. Carter, have you seen this form before?”
Ellen’s pencil stopped above Ruby’s workbook.
