But the asset description was vague.
The destination wasn't one of Aurelle's approved specialist facilities.
And the document carried a digital approval notation associated with Graham's office.
Diana looked up.
"Who authorized use of the foundation necklace?"
Graham smiled nervously.
"The appraisal was part of my discretion as retail operations director."
She shook her head.
"Not over a foundation-owned piece."
He frowned.
"Diana, we're talking about a routine commercial arrangement."
"No. We're talking about an asset that doesn't belong to the retail business."
For several seconds, Graham stared.
Then Diana continued.
"The foundation has separate trustees and custody requirements. You don't acquire authority over its property because you manage the boutiques."
Graham looked toward Clara.
The older jeweler remained silent.
Diana noticed the glance.
For a moment, she wondered how many times Clara had been made to feel unreasonable for insisting on ordinary safeguards.
Then she asked a different question.
"Where is the proposed courier?"
Graham hesitated.
"I believe he's still waiting for confirmation."
Diana turned toward Luis.
"Please ask the security director to identify any pending collection and confirm that nothing is released without verified authorization. Do not detain anyone or interfere with anyone's personal property."
Luis nodded.
"Understood."
Graham stepped forward.
"Diana, you're making this sound like a criminal investigation."
She looked directly at him.
"I don't know what it is yet."
Then she pointed toward the document.
"That's why we're preserving the evidence instead of inventing an answer."
Aurelle's general counsel arrived shortly before three.
Helena Park was forty-five, an experienced corporate attorney with a reputation for asking difficult questions without becoming dramatic. She wore a navy suit, carried a slim laptop, and rarely spoke until she'd examined the documents in front of her.
Diana trusted Helena because she didn't tell executives what they wanted to hear.
She explained risks clearly.
Distinguished suspicion from proof.
And insisted that important decisions be supported by records.
When Diana described the confrontation, Helena requested the relevant security footage and witness statements.
Then she examined the collection records.
For several minutes, she remained silent.
Finally, she looked toward Graham.
"Why does the external transfer form identify a private client asset when the internal notes refer to the foundation necklace?"
Graham shifted.
"A clerical error."
Helena nodded.
"Then we'll need the records showing when the error was introduced and who approved the correction."
He didn't answer.
She continued reviewing.
"Why was the second case assigned an internal reference belonging to the private-client collection?"
Graham cleared his throat.
"That account handled the donor relationship."
Helena looked up.
"That isn't an explanation for the asset classification."
For a moment, the room became quiet.