Chapter 11 - The Boxes at the Loading Bay.
.Charlotte did not leave the boardroom to chase the records herself.
That was exactly what Adrian expected her to do.
Instead, she sent Marcus with two hotel security supervisors and instructed them to preserve everything they found.
Then she remained in her chair.
Adrian watched her carefully.
"Not going to rescue your evidence?"
Charlotte folded her hands.
"Evidence doesn't become stronger because I personally carry the box."
Graham tried to move the emergency vote forward again.
This time, only Adrian supported him immediately.
The other members wanted answers.
At 8:48, Marcus called on speakerphone from the laundry facility.
Wind and traffic noise filled the boardroom.
"We found a delivery van at the loading bay."
Charlotte asked, "Who is driving it?"
Marcus paused.
"Miles Hale."
Vanessa covered her mouth.
Adrian leaned forward.
"Call the police."
Charlotte turned toward him.
"You seem eager."
"He stole company records."
Miles's voice suddenly came through the speaker.
"I copied company records."
Everyone went still.
Marcus had put him on the call.
Charlotte leaned toward the phone.
"Miles, why did you disappear?"
"Because I showed Harold the vendor transfers, and three days later someone used my credentials to approve payments I never approved."
Graham interrupted.
"This man is a disgruntled former employee."
Miles ignored him.
"Harold told me to leave before they made me the entire story."
Charlotte's throat tightened.
"Why did he seal the audit?"
"Because the board had already started asking whether you were involved."
Charlotte stared at the table.
Daniel whispered, "You weren't even working here."
Miles answered him.
"That didn't matter."
He explained that several shell vendors had been created using mailing addresses linked to companies where Charlotte once worked.
The connections were artificial but convincing enough to create suspicion.
If the audit had gone public before Harold traced the ownership, Charlotte could have been portrayed as part of the scheme.
Harold sealed the report while Miles collected proof.
Then Miles discovered Bellweather.
"Why didn't you come to me?" Charlotte asked.
"Because I didn't know who on your side was actually on your side."
Daniel looked down.
The accusation applied to everyone.
Charlotte asked about the boxes.
Miles said the originals were inside the van.
He had moved them because someone entered his hidden office overnight and found the copied ledger.
"Who?"
"I don't know."
Marcus cut in.
"There's someone else here."
A car had pulled into the loading area.
Charlotte heard a door slam through the phone.
Then a familiar voice sounded in the background.
Graham Voss.
But Graham was sitting directly across from Charlotte in the boardroom.
Everyone turned toward him.
The voice at the loading bay spoke again.
It sounded almost identical.
Marcus said, "That isn't Mr. Voss."
Graham's face changed.
Miles spoke quietly.
"It's his brother, Grant."
Charlotte had never heard the name.
Daniel had.
"Grant Voss was banned from hotel property five years ago."
"Why?" Charlotte asked.
Daniel looked at Graham.
"He was caught using hotel vendor accounts for personal contracts."
Graham stood so fast his chair hit the wall.
"This meeting is adjourned."
Charlotte remained seated.
"No, Graham."
May you like
Her voice was calm.
"I think we're finally getting to the part you wanted hidden."
