Chapter 4 - One Phone Call Changed Everything
Julian called Douglas.
No answer.
He called again.
Still nothing.
Then he called Vivienne.
She answered from what sounded like a crowded restaurant.
“Julian, can I call you tomorrow? I’m having dinner.”
“What is the Household Reserve being used for?”
There was a brief pause.
“Routine expenses. Why?”
“Why was Tessa Rowan’s salary transferred into it?”
The noise behind Vivienne suddenly became quieter.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“She hasn’t received a paycheck in ten weeks.”
“Then payroll needs to fix it.”
“Payroll records say she was paid.”
Vivienne said nothing.
Julian continued.
“The money went into an account you can access.”
Another pause.
Then Vivienne asked, “Are you looking at the financial system right now?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t change anything until I get there.”
That sentence answered more questions than Julian wanted answered.
He ended the call.
Then he contacted Elise Hartwell, an independent forensic accountant who had reviewed his company’s financial controls for years.
“Elise, I need you at my house tonight.”
“Business or personal?”
“Personal accounts, household payroll, family trusts, charitable funds—everything connected to them.”
Elise became serious immediately.
“Do you want the records preserved before anyone can change them?”
Julian looked at the screen.
May you like
“Yes.”
“Then don’t warn anyone else.”
