Chapter 6 - THE FILE NOLAN HID
The first major clue came from an unexpected source.
Adrian's longtime housekeeper, Margaret Ellis.
She had worked for the Voss family for twenty-six years.
She knew every corridor.
Every schedule.
Every locked cabinet.
And she had never liked Nolan Pierce.
Margaret approached Marcus one afternoon.
She carried a folder.
Inside were copies of visitor logs.
Nolan had arranged several private meetings with executives from a competing logistics company.
The meetings were not listed on Adrian's official calendar.
Some occurred while Adrian was overseas.
Others took place during periods when Nolan claimed he was handling routine administrative work.
Marcus examined the records.
Then contacted Adrian.
Adrian reviewed the documents carefully.
One name appeared repeatedly.
Graham Mercer.
Chief executive of Mercer Logistics.
A longtime competitor.
And a man who had spent years trying to acquire Voss Freight's most profitable shipping terminals.
Adrian signed:
Why would Nolan meet him privately?
Marcus typed:
We believe he was sharing confidential information.
Adrian stared at the screen.
Then signed:
Find proof.
The investigation uncovered unusual financial transfers into a consulting company controlled by Nolan's sister.
The payments came from entities associated with Mercer Logistics.
Some were labeled as advisory fees.
Others as market research.
But the amounts were far larger than the services described.
Adrian's attorneys notified the appropriate authorities.
Emma learned about the discovery when Marcus called her.
She listened.
Then asked:
"Does this mean Nolan planned everything?"
Marcus paused.
"We're still investigating."
Emma looked toward her mother's photograph.
May you like
Then whispered:
"Please find him before he hurts someone."
