He made jokes.
Flattered his guests.
And treated the restaurant manager like an old friend.
Paul Donovan appeared at the table twice, smiling and asking whether everything met expectations.
At one point, Whitmore snapped his fingers at a young server and ordered him to replace a glass of water because it wasn't cold enough.
The server apologized.
Whitmore waved him away.
Then returned to discussing millions of dollars as though nothing had happened.
I watched.
And I remembered Martin Pell telling me not to endanger an important client relationship.
The same phrase.
The same hierarchy.
People with money mattered.
People asking inconvenient questions did not.
When Whitmore left, I asked Teresa whether he visited often.
She nodded.
"Every few weeks."
I felt my stomach tighten.
"Business meetings?"
"Usually."
I tried to sound casual.
"International guests?"
She shrugged.
"Sometimes."
Then she looked at me carefully.
"Naomi, what's going on?"
For a moment, I considered telling her everything.
But the transaction was still sensitive.
My attorney had advised me to be careful about discussing the specific documents publicly.
And I didn't want to involve a friend in something she couldn't control.
So I shook my head.
"Old work issue."
Teresa nodded slowly.
Then said, "Well, whatever it is, don't let him cost you this job too."
I smiled sadly.
"I'll try."
I meant it.
I truly did.
But three weeks later, I learned that Whitmore had reserved the restaurant's private dining room for a meeting with representatives of Jade Harbor Infrastructure.
And the moment I saw Raymond Lam's name on the event sheet, I knew I couldn't pretend the matter was finished.
I called Rachel Foster that evening.
She answered from her office.
"Naomi?"
"Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
I explained that the businessman connected to the disputed transaction had booked a private meeting at the restaurant where I worked.
Rachel listened carefully.
Then asked, "Are you planning to confront him?"
"No."
"Good."
I took a breath.
"But I'm worried they're using the same revised schedule."
She was quiet.
Then said, "You don't know that."
"I know."
"Have you received any new evidence through a lawful channel?"
"No."
Rachel paused.
"Then we need to distinguish what you suspect from what you can establish."
I nodded.
She continued.
"You already reported the issue through appropriate channels. If you obtain new information lawfully, we can assess how to supplement those reports."
I looked toward my apartment window.