Chapter 15 - THE MAN WITH THE ACCESS CARD
Nathaniel wanted to confront Rusk immediately. Dana stopped him.
"If he helped hide records, warning him gives him time to destroy more. We preserve evidence and involve the right investigators."
Celia compared the archived export with the account numbers Eleanor remembered. One was the foundation's official disbursement account. The other belonged to a logistics company linked to Harborwell through the same registered agent.
"Money moved twice," Celia said. "A grant was approved on paper. The official record showed it paid. Then a second internal entry sent funds to the logistics company. Families received nothing."
"Forty-seven times?" Emma asked.
"At least."
Rosa walked into the office, pale. "Owen just came to the house. He says the old servers have to be removed for maintenance."
Nathaniel called the firm's independent IT contractor, not his security department. "Preserve all systems. Stop anyone from moving equipment."
By the time they reached the server room, a technician was pushing a cart toward the loading elevator. Two sealed drives lay under a blanket.
"Who authorized this?" Nathaniel demanded.
"Mr. Rusk." The technician showed an electronic work order.
Dana photographed it. The drives were left in place for a forensic team, and she called the police to report suspected evidence tampering.
Owen appeared at the end of the hall, carrying his coat. His expression was blank until he saw Emma.
"You're making a mistake," he said.
"Which one?" she asked. "Stopping a slap or stopping a theft?"
He looked at Nathaniel. "Ask your mother what she offered me to keep quiet."
May you like
Eleanor's tablet spoke from the doorway, each electronic word sharp and clear.
"I offered him a chance to tell the truth. He chose something else."
