“We haven't found evidence that it was.”
Arthur slowly removed his glasses.
He placed them on the table.
Then covered his face with one hand.
The chairman had thought Naomi appeared in the boardroom unexpectedly.
Now he was learning that her claim had reached the company before she ever served a cup of coffee.
Someone had simply decided the board didn't need to know.
Graham summoned Daniel Mercer to his office that afternoon.
The billionaire stood beside the window, looking down at the traffic far below.
Daniel entered carrying a black portfolio.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Graham turned.
“How bad is it?”
Daniel hesitated.
“The committee has the document history.”
Graham's expression hardened.
“I asked how bad.”
The general counsel took a breath.
“They're examining the final certificate, the underlying trust, and the notice from Naomi Carter's attorney.”
Graham stared.
Then asked quietly.
“Who gave them the notice?”
Daniel looked down.
“It was in the legal office's records.”
The billionaire's jaw tightened.
“Why?”
“Because it was received.”
Graham stepped closer.
For a moment, his expression became frighteningly calm.
“You told me the claimant had no effective rights.”
Daniel swallowed.
“I told you her status had not been established.”
“Same thing.”
“No,” Daniel answered before he could stop himself.
Graham stared.
The general counsel immediately regretted the interruption.
But the distinction mattered.
A claim that had not yet been legally established was not the same thing as a claim proven false.
And a disputed authority question did not justify presenting a dead man as signing a new document.
Daniel took a breath.
“Graham, we need outside counsel to determine exactly how the signature entered the final packet.”
The billionaire's eyes narrowed.
“Don't pretend you weren't involved.”
For a moment, Daniel stared.
Then looked away.
Graham continued.
“You've been handling this for months.”
“Yes.”
“And you assured me the consent problem could be resolved.”
Daniel nodded.
“Through the proper authority.”
Graham laughed bitterly.
“Now you're developing a conscience?”
The lawyer's face tightened.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Daniel answered.
“I don't want this to become something worse.”
Graham stepped toward the desk.
“It's already worse.”
He picked up a news article discussing the delayed transaction.
Then threw it toward Daniel.
“Investors are calling every hour. Our financing commitment is at risk. And the board has allowed a service employee to decide whether a multibillion-dollar transaction proceeds.”
Daniel remained still.
Graham continued.
“I want the problem resolved.”