Chapter 13 - The Founder
Howard looked furious when he entered the conference room.
Not loud furious.
Humiliated furious.
He handed Maya a board notice removing him from his honorary chairman role for “cognitive incapacity.”
“My wife had this prepared months ago.”
Mark read it and swore.
Howard pointed at the signature of the company physician.
“I have never met that doctor.”
The pattern was now impossible to ignore.
When Lydia questioned invoices, she became a bitter ex.
When Grace questioned transfers, she became an unstable employee.
When Howard questioned Patricia, he became cognitively impaired.
When I refused to obey, I became an ungrateful bride.
Maya photographed every page.
Howard looked at me. “There is one more account.”
“What account?”
“Mercer Employee Reserve.”
Grace frowned. “That account was closed.”
“No. Patricia told the auditors it was closed.”
Howard explained that years earlier, after a fatal accident, Mercer Construction created a reserve funded by project profits to cover worker emergencies and benefit shortfalls.
“How much should be there?” I asked.
“Roughly four million.”
Grace laughed bitterly.
“There is not four million anywhere.”
Howard nodded.
“That is why Patricia needs the refinancing.”
The new credit line was for $6.5 million.
My personal guaranty was supposed to help secure it.
The loan would not save a struggling company.
It would bury an old deficit under new debt.
Then Howard said, “The reserve records are not at headquarters.”
“Where are they?”
He looked at Mark.
“My first office. The old warehouse on Commerce Street.”
Mark shook his head. “That building has been empty for years.”
“Exactly.”
Before we could leave, Maya’s phone buzzed.
The bank fraud investigator had sent an update.
Someone had just attempted to submit a replacement guaranty packet.
May you like
This version included a notarized statement from me.
The notary seal belonged to Patricia Mercer.
