Chapter 6 - THE SECRET IN GRAHAM HAYES'S OFFICE
Harper discovered the first discrepancy on a Tuesday.
A vendor payment.
Forty-eight thousand dollars.
Listed as emergency surgical equipment.
But the receiving documentation didn't match the invoice.
She checked another.
Then another.
Within two hours, she had found six suspicious transactions.
All approved by the same executive.
All routed through companies represented by Graham Hayes's law firm.
Harper contacted Sterling's compliance department.
She preserved the records she was authorized to access.
And requested a formal review.
That evening, she told Victor.
He listened carefully.
Then asked:
“Do you want me involved?”
Harper considered.
“No.”
Victor nodded.
“Then I won't interfere.”
She stared.
“Just like that?”
He smiled faintly.
“Just like that.”
Harper looked down.
Derek had always demanded access to her work.
He wanted her to solve his problems.
Then complained when she took credit.
Victor was different.
He trusted her judgment.
Even when staying out of the way was difficult.
Harper leaned forward.
Kissed him.
He smiled.
May you like
“What was that for?”
“For listening.”
