Chapter 8 - THE MAN WHO REFUSED TO BELIEVE THE LIE
Elias learned about Laurel's suspension before noon.
By one o'clock, he was in the Halcyon boardroom.
Caleb Sutter looked nervous.
“Mr. North, the investigation is ongoing.”
Elias placed a folder on the table.
“I understand.”
Sutter nodded.
“Then you know we have to protect the hotel's reputation.”
Elias looked at him.
“By accusing the person who saved your fundraiser?”
Sutter swallowed.
“The evidence—”
“Is incomplete.”
Elias opened the folder.
“The transfer occurred at 9:18 p.m.”
“Yes.”
“During the auction.”
“Yes.”
“Laurel Hensley was onstage coordinating bids at that exact time.”
Sutter frowned.
“She could have scheduled it.”
Elias looked at him.
“Then show me the scheduling logs.”
Sutter hesitated.
Elias continued.
“Or the authentication records.”
Silence.
“Or the device fingerprint.”
Sutter looked pale.
Elias leaned forward.
“Someone used her credentials. That doesn't mean she used them.”
He closed the folder.
“And until you know the difference, you have no business treating her like a criminal.”
Sutter said nothing.
Elias stood.
“Preserve every server log, camera recording, and access record.”
Then he left.
Laurel was sitting on her apartment floor when Elias knocked.
She opened the door.
Her eyes were swollen.
He looked at her.
“May I come in?”
She stepped aside.
He entered.
The apartment was small.
Warm.
Full of books and plants.
Laurel looked embarrassed.
“It's not exactly impressive.”
Elias glanced around.
“I like it.”
She laughed weakly.
“Of course you do.”
He turned toward her.
“Laurel.”
She looked up.
“I don't believe you stole that money.”
Her face crumpled.
For a moment, she couldn't speak.
Then she whispered, “Thank you.”
Elias stepped closer.
“I'm going to help you find out who did.”
She shook her head.
“You don't have to.”
“I know.”
“Then why?”
He looked at her.
“Because someone is trying to destroy your life.”
His voice softened.
“And I don't intend to stand by while they do it.”
Laurel stared.
Then whispered, “Elias.”
He reached for her hand.
Slowly.
May you like
Giving her time to pull away.
She didn't.
