Chapter 6 - THE PERSON BEHIND THE PLANNorthstar's board called an emergency meeting.
Only seven people were allowed inside.
Samuel.
Diane.
Ryan.
Two board members.
The legal counsel.
And Marcus Bell.
Marcus entered calmly.
Perfect suit.
Perfect tie.
No visible fear.
He looked at Samuel.
“Why am I here?”
Samuel replied,
“Because forty-three million dollars disappeared.”
Marcus smiled.
“I assume you aren't accusing me.”
“No.”
Samuel sat down.
“Not yet.”
Marcus laughed.
“This is ridiculous.”
Ryan watched him carefully.
Marcus looked at Ryan.
“And who is this?”
“Ryan Carter.”
“Intern?”
“Yes.”
Marcus smiled.
“Then perhaps he should leave.”
Samuel replied,
“No.”
Marcus's smile disappeared.
Samuel continued.
“He stays.”
Marcus leaned back.
“Fine.”
Diane placed the financial documents on the table.
Marcus looked at them.
“I've already explained these transactions.”
Diane shook her head.
“You haven't.”
Marcus's expression tightened.
Then Ryan placed his phone on the table.
The recording played.
Marcus removing the documents.
Silence.
Marcus stared at Ryan.
“You recorded me?”
“Yes.”
“You had no right.”
Ryan replied,
“You were destroying company records.”
Marcus stood.
“This is absurd.”
Samuel looked at him.
“Sit down.”
Marcus froze.
For the first time, he looked directly at Samuel.
Not as a janitor.
Not as an old man.
But as an opponent.
Then he smiled.
“You know what your problem is?”
Samuel didn't answer.
“You think you're the smartest person in every room.”
Samuel smiled.
“No.”
He pointed toward Ryan.
“I just make sure I'm not the only one thinking.”
Marcus looked at Ryan.
“You don't understand what you're involved in.”
Ryan replied,
“Then explain.”
Marcus laughed.
“You think this company is what you see?”
He pointed toward the windows.
“You think the executives own it?”
He shook his head.
“You think the board controls it?”
He smiled.
“Northstar has been dying for years.”
Diane stood.
“That is enough.”
Marcus continued.
“Debt.”
“Acquisitions.”
“Bad contracts.”
“Hidden liabilities.”
He looked at Samuel.
“And your beloved trust has been covering the holes.”
Samuel's expression remained calm.
“Until now.”
Marcus nodded.
“Until now.”
Ryan asked,
“Who is behind this?”
Marcus looked at him.
Then said something that changed the room.
“You should ask Diane.”
Ryan froze.
Diane's face went pale.
Samuel turned toward her.
“Diane?”
She didn't answer.
Marcus smiled.
“She knows.”
Samuel stared at her.
“What does he mean?”
Diane closed her eyes.
Then whispered:
“I knew Daniel.”
Samuel's face changed.
“I know.”
“No.”
Diane shook her head.
“You don't know everything.”
She looked at Samuel.
“Daniel didn't die knowing the truth.”
Samuel stood.
“What truth?”
Diane's voice broke.
“The cancer wasn't the only reason he was dying.”
Silence.
Ryan stared.
“What are you saying?”
Diane looked at Samuel.
“Daniel discovered the original fraud inside Northstar.”
Samuel's breathing became heavier.
“He was going to expose it.”
Diane continued.
“And someone threatened him.”
Samuel's voice became dangerously quiet.
“Who?”
Diane looked at Marcus.
Marcus smiled.
May you like
Then she said:
“The man who started this company.”
