The investigator's expression softened.
“You see it now.”
Richard nodded.
Daniel continued.
“What matters is whether you keep seeing it after the immediate crisis passes.”
Richard looked toward the documents.
Then slowly straightened.
“I will.”
For the first time since Laura died, Richard began making decisions that Nicole did not control.
He retained an attorney experienced in business disputes and financial misconduct.
He arranged for the company's relevant records to be preserved.
He informed the appropriate authorities about the newly recovered letter and the financial evidence.
And he agreed to cooperate with any lawful investigation involving his own company.
That decision was not easy.
Bennett & Cole Restoration employed dozens of people.
Some had worked there for more than a decade.
Their families depended on the company.
Its reputation had been built over years.
Richard understood that a public investigation could cost him contracts, employees, and savings.
But he also understood something Laura had tried to teach him.
A business that protected dishonest people at the expense of the families it claimed to serve was not worth preserving unchanged.
He met with his attorney.
Then an independent accountant.
Then the company's external auditor.
He explained what Daniel had found.
The reaction was immediate.
Accounts were reviewed.
Approval procedures were restricted.
Potential evidence was secured.
And the company's board members were informed that serious irregularities required independent examination.
Adrian Cole was furious.
Richard received his first call from him less than an hour after the meeting.
“Richard, what the hell is going on?”
Richard was sitting in his office.
The same office where Laura once brought him questions about missing payments.
He took a slow breath.
“I'm reviewing the housing project accounts.”
Adrian laughed sharply.
“Why?”
“Because there are unexplained transfers.”
A pause.
Then Adrian said, “We've been over this.”
Richard looked toward the folders on his desk.
“No. You told me it was handled.”
Adrian's tone hardened.
“Are you accusing me of something?”
Richard considered.
“I'm saying independent professionals are going to examine the records.”
The silence that followed was long.
Then Adrian spoke more quietly.
“Is this about Nicole?”
Richard felt a chill.
He had not mentioned her.
“Why would it be?”
Adrian hesitated.
Then laughed.
“Because she's been upset about what happened at your house.”
Richard remained silent.
Adrian continued.
“Look, marriages are complicated. You don't want to let some family drama wreck fifteen years of business.”
Richard stared at the wall.
There it was again.
The same maneuver.
Reduce a serious problem to an emotional misunderstanding.
Make Richard feel unreasonable.
Remind him of loyalty.
Encourage him to stop asking questions.
He had fallen for it before.
Not this time.
“This isn't about family drama,” Richard answered.
“Then what is it about?”
“Missing funds.”