Chapter 19 - The Second Watcher
Thomas said he noticed Greyson Risk following me six weeks earlier.
Because he recognized one of their cars outside his bank.
He traced the contract to Peter Lang.
Then he opened a second account with Greyson under his own name and paid them to send him copies of every surveillance report.
"You were watching the people watching me," I said.
"Yes."
"Why not tell me?"
"Because I didn't know if Daniel was clean."
"Fair," I said.
Daniel stared at me.
"Really?"
"We just spent forty-eight hours learning not to confuse trust with verification."
Thomas almost laughed.
They showed my office, my apartment, my father's grave, and the gala.
TARGET EXPECTED TO ENTER SERVICE STAFF AT 15:30.
INSTRUCTIONS: DOCUMENT CONTACTS. DO NOT INTERVENE UNLESS ORDERED.
Ben checked the metadata.
The source file came from an email forwarded to Peter two days before the gala.
Sender: an address registered to our event staffing agency.
Howard had hired me through that agency under a false first name.
Only one agency employee knew my real identity.
She admitted Peter paid her $15,000 for the information.
Just another person who decided money was worth more than trust.
Two weeks later, prosecutors filed a broader fraud case based on records from Peter, Malcolm, Evelyn, and Grant.
Thomas received immunity for certain reporting violations in exchange for cooperation, subject to court approval.
Vanessa faced no financial charge, but the fountain assault remained a separate civil and criminal matter.
On the morning our board voted on reforms, I stood outside the same ballroom where the gala had collapsed.
The fountain had been drained for repairs.
Lily walked up beside me.
"You hate that thing now?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because it showed me the room."
"The room?"
"Who laughed. Who looked away. Who helped. Who lied."
Lily nodded.
Then Howard opened the ballroom doors.
Inside, one chair at the board table had a new nameplate.
May you like
EMPLOYEE REPRESENTATIVE.
And everyone in the room was waiting for Lily to sit down.
