Chapter 10 - The Monday Vote
Daniel canceled the board vote and notified the directors that the merger review was on hold pending a financial audit. Several executives complained that the delay would cost the company money. One asked whether Daniel was making decisions based on a family argument.
“I'm making decisions based on irregular transfers and a police investigation,” Daniel said. “If that sounds inconvenient, it should.”
The board agreed to appoint an independent audit team. Mark also filed a notice with the trustees to prevent further movement of the college fund. The safeguards did not recover the missing money, but they made it harder for anyone to move more.
At the hospital, a toxicology specialist called with a more complete report. The sample from the glass contained a prescription sedative not prescribed to Daniel. The concentration in the remaining liquid could not establish exactly what he would have absorbed, but the finding made the accidental-flavoring explanation less likely. The substance had been found in a sealed container recovered from Vanessa's bag under a warrant.
Detective Grant cautioned Daniel that the investigation was ongoing and that the lab could not determine intent on chemistry alone. The video, the messages, and the financial records would have to be considered together.
Daniel met with Jake's counselor and learned how often teenagers stay silent because they fear being blamed for a family crisis. The counselor suggested that Daniel keep his questions open-ended and avoid asking Jake to repeat the story over and over.
“I should have noticed she was afraid,” Daniel admitted.
“You noticed some things,” the counselor said. “You explained them away. The important part is what you do now.”
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When Daniel got home, he found a small envelope on the porch. Inside was a copy of the missing folder's cover sheet and a handwritten note: The next file is worse.
But the handwriting looked like Eric's.
