Chapter 6: The Interview That Was Never Meant to Happen
Monday morning arrived with a gray sky and a cold wind blowing against the windows of Northstar headquarters.
I had barely slept.
At 7:30 a.m., Sarah entered my office carrying two coffees and a thick folder.
"You're here early.""
"So are you.""
She placed one cup on my desk.
"Richard's office has been secured. His access to the financial system has been suspended.""
"Where is he?""
"His assistant says he called in sick.""
I looked at the clock.
"Did anyone verify that?""
"His phone is switched off. His apartment concierge confirmed he left yesterday afternoon with two suitcases.""
I put down my coffee.
"Then we need to contact the authorities.""
"Already done. The legal team is preparing a formal report.""
I opened the folder.
"Any update on the Harbor Crest loan?""
Sarah nodded.
"Yes. We obtained the original loan agreement.""
"Who signed it?""
"Anthony Reed.""
"On behalf of Harbor Crest?""
"Yes.""
"And Richard?""
"Listed as the financial intermediary.""
I stared at the signature page.
There was Anthony's signature.
There was Richard's.
But beneath them was another signature.
Mine.
I frowned.
"That's not my signature.""
Sarah leaned forward.
"We know.""
"Then who signed it?""
"We're arranging a handwriting analysis. But the digital copy was uploaded using your credentials.""
I studied the document.
The loan agreement had been executed eleven months earlier.
It used Cedar Ridge Logistics as collateral.
If the company defaulted, Harbor Crest could claim its assets.
I looked at Sarah.
"Why would Richard put one of our companies at risk?""
She opened another page.
"Because Harbor Crest had an option to purchase Cedar Ridge at a fixed price if certain financial conditions were triggered.""
"What conditions?""
"A reporting failure, missed debt payment, or a change in control.""
I read the clause.
It was designed to look like a normal commercial protection.
But it created an opportunity for someone to force the sale of the subsidiary.
"Who benefits?""
Sarah pointed to the final page.
"Harbor Crest.""
"And Anthony.""
"Potentially.""
I leaned back.
"Did Anthony know?""
"We need to ask him.""
I looked at the clock again.
8:15.
"He's supposed to arrive at nine.""
Sarah nodded.
"Should we cancel the meeting with Monica?""
I considered it.
The original interview had been scheduled before the full extent of the investigation became clear.
But Monica had applied for a legitimate position.
And I wasn't going to punish her simply because she was connected to the people under investigation.
"No," I said.
"Keep it scheduled.""
Sarah raised an eyebrow.
"Daniel, are you sure?""
"Yes.""
"Why?""
"Because I want to hear what she says when she knows the questions aren't about her qualifications anymore.""
Sarah studied me.
"Make sure you don't let personal history influence the process.""
"It won't.""
She nodded.
Then she closed the folder.
"One more thing. The recording Rebecca gave us contains a conversation between Richard and Monica. We found something important.""
"What?""
"Richard tells her that Anthony is planning to sell Reed Development to a private investment group.""
I frowned.
"Which group?""
Sarah turned the laptop toward me.
The name appeared on the screen.
*Westbridge Capital Partners.*
I recognized the company.
Westbridge had approached Northstar twice during the previous year about a possible merger.
Both offers had been rejected.
"What's their connection to Harbor Crest?""
Sarah clicked another tab.
"Harbor Crest is partially funded by a holding company registered to Westbridge.""
I stared at her.
The arrangement was becoming clearer.
Richard had used my company to purchase Cedar Ridge.
Anthony had used Harbor Crest to hold debt against it.
Westbridge had money behind Harbor Crest.
And someone had been positioning the pieces for a takeover.
I stood.
"Get me the board chair.""
Sarah nodded.
"Already scheduled.""
At 8:55, my assistant announced that Monica had arrived.
I looked toward the glass doors.
She walked into the executive reception wearing a cream-colored business suit.
Her hair was neatly styled.
Her makeup was subtle.
She carried a leather portfolio.
She looked nothing like the woman who had laughed at my faded suit two days earlier.
When she saw me, she stopped.
"Good morning, Daniel.""
"Good morning, Monica.""
Her eyes moved toward Sarah.
"Will she be joining us?""
"Yes. Sarah Mitchell is our general counsel.""
Monica nodded.
"Of course.""
I gestured toward the conference room.
"Please come in.""
She sat opposite me.
Sarah took a seat beside me.
Monica placed her portfolio on the table.
"I appreciate the opportunity.""
I nodded.
"Let's begin.""
She opened her folder and handed us a printed copy of her professional résumé.
Her experience was impressive.
She had led several major campaigns, increased customer engagement, and helped position Reed Development as a luxury residential brand.
I asked her about a campaign she had managed the previous year.
She answered confidently.
I asked about budget allocation.
She provided specific numbers.
I asked how she handled underperforming vendors.
She explained her process in detail.
For twenty minutes, it was a perfectly ordinary interview.
Then I closed her résumé.
"Monica, I want to discuss something unrelated to the job description.""
She looked at me.
"All right.""
"Are you familiar with Silverline Creative?""
Her expression changed.
"Yes.""
"What was your relationship with the company?""
"I coordinated several campaigns with them.""
"Did you know Rebecca Ellis was the registered owner?""
"Yes.""
"Did you disclose that relationship to your employer?""
She looked down.
"No.""
Sarah made a note.
I continued.
"Did you receive any payments from Silverline?""
Monica's fingers tightened around her pen.
"Some referral commissions.""
"How much?""
"I don't remember.""
"Was it approximately eighty-six thousand dollars?""
She looked up sharply.
"Who told you that?""
"Please answer the question.""
Monica took a breath.
"Yes. Around that amount.""
Sarah looked up from her notes.
"Was that money declared as personal income?""
Monica hesitated.
"Some of it.""
"Some?""
"I need to check my records.""
I nodded.
"Did you know Richard Cole was controlling the Silverline payments?""
Her face lost color.
"Richard?""
"Yes.""
She shook her head.
"I knew he introduced Rebecca to Anthony. I didn't know he controlled the accounts.""
I studied her.
"Did you know Richard had access to my company's financial systems?""
Monica stared at me.
For a moment, I thought she would deny everything.
Instead, she whispered:
"Yes.""
The room went completely still.
Sarah put down her pen.
I leaned forward.
"When did you know?""
Monica looked at the table.
"Before you hired him.""
I felt my throat tighten.
"How long before?""
"Several months.""
"Did you know he intended to access Northstar's finances?""
She nodded slowly.
"Richard told me he was going to help you build the company.""
"That isn't what I asked.""
Her eyes filled.
"He said he wanted to monitor your finances.""
"Why?""
She swallowed.
"Because he believed you were going to become successful.""
I stared at her.
"That doesn't explain why he wanted access.""
Monica's voice became quieter.
"He said you were building something that could become valuable. He wanted to get inside before anyone else could.""
I looked at Sarah.
She was writing everything down.
I turned back to Monica.
"Did you help him?""
She closed her eyes.
"Yes.""
The answer was barely audible.
I waited.
She continued.
"I introduced him to Anthony. I gave him information about your business plans. I told him what you were working on and who your investors were.""
I felt something tighten in my chest.
"What information?""
"Your original financial projections. Your proposed acquisition targets. The names of two investors you were trying to meet.""
I remembered those documents.
They had been part of my original business plan.
Only three people had access to them.
Me.
Richard.
And Monica.
I stared at her.
"How did you get those documents?""
She looked at me.
"From your laptop.""
I said nothing.
She began crying.
"I know how that sounds.""
"It sounds like you stole confidential business information.""
"I didn't understand what Richard was planning.""
"Did he pay you?""
"Yes.""
"How much?""
"Thirty thousand dollars.""
I leaned back.
Sarah asked the next question.
"Did you know that the information would be used to obtain financial control of Northstar?""
Monica shook her head.
"No.""
"Did you know Richard was using your sister's company to move money?""
"Not at first.""
"When did you find out?""
"About a year ago.""
I looked at her.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
She started crying harder.
"Because I was afraid.""
"Of what?""
"Richard said he had enough information to make me look like the person responsible. He said Rebecca would lose everything, and I would lose my job.""
I stared at her.
"And you thought the best solution was to keep helping him?""
She shook her head.
"I stopped giving him information.""
"Did you report him?""
"No.""
"Did you tell Anthony?""
She looked down.
"Yes.""
I froze.
"You told Anthony?""
"Yes.""
"When?""
"About eight months ago.""
I turned toward Sarah.
She looked equally surprised.
I faced Monica again.
"Then why did Anthony tell me he had only recently discovered the problem?""
Monica wiped her eyes.
"Because he was part of it.""
The words landed heavily.
I stood and walked toward the window.
Outside, traffic moved slowly through the morning rain.
I remembered Anthony's speech at the wedding.
His words about love, commitment, and building something extraordinary.
I had thought he was a man trying to protect his business.
Perhaps he had been protecting something else.
I turned back.
"Monica, what did Anthony do?""
She looked terrified.
"He told Richard to continue the payments.""
Sarah leaned forward.
"Why?""
"Because Anthony needed money to cover debts.""
"What debts?""
"His personal debts.""
I looked at her.
"How much?""
"I don't know exactly. But Richard said it was over a million dollars.""
Sarah wrote something down.
Monica continued.
"Anthony was using Harbor Crest to borrow money against company assets. Richard helped arrange the transactions. They planned to sell Reed Development once the debt structure was in place.""
I stared at her.
"And where did you fit into this?""
She began twisting a tissue between her fingers.
"Richard promised me a position at Northstar after the takeover. He said I could become the head of marketing.""
I almost laughed.
Not because it was amusing.
Because I finally understood why she had sent Anthony that email warning him about me.
She hadn't simply been trying to keep me away.
She had been trying to prevent me from interfering with a plan that involved my own company.
"Monica," I said quietly, "did you know Richard was planning to use my credentials?""
She nodded.
"Yes.""
"Did you know about the Cedar Ridge loan?""
"No.""
"Did you know my signature had been forged?""
Her head snapped up.
"What?""
I slid the document across the table.
She looked at it.
Her face went completely white.
"I've never seen this.""
"Are you certain?""
"Yes.""
Sarah watched her closely.
Monica pushed the document away.
"Daniel, I swear I didn't know about this.""
I sat down.
"Then who did?""
She stared at the signature.
After several seconds, she whispered:
"Richard.""
I nodded.
"That seems likely.""
She looked at me.
"Can I tell you something?""
"Go ahead.""
"I didn't leave you because I thought you were worthless.""
I looked at her.
"Then why did you leave?""
She wiped her cheeks.
"Richard told me you were going to fail. He said you were taking risks you couldn't afford. He told me that if I stayed, I'd end up losing everything with you.""
"And you believed him?""
"Yes.""
"Why?""
She looked directly at me.
"Because I was afraid of being poor forever.""
I let the silence settle.
Then I said:
"You weren't afraid of being poor, Monica. You were afraid of being ordinary.""
She lowered her eyes.
I continued.
"You wanted a life that looked successful. You wanted expensive things and important people around you. And when someone offered you a shortcut, you took it.""
Her shoulders trembled.
"I know.""
"No, I don't think you do.""
I stood.
"Because if you understood what you did, you would have come forward before someone forced you to.""
Sarah closed her notebook.
"Monica, we're going to need a complete written statement and supporting documentation. You should not contact Richard or Anthony about this meeting.""
Monica nodded.
"Will I be arrested?""
Sarah answered carefully.
"That depends on the evidence, the extent of your involvement, and the decisions made by the relevant authorities. We cannot promise you immunity.""
Monica looked at me.
"Daniel, please. I know you hate me.""
I shook my head.
"Hate takes energy. I'm trying to protect the company.""
She began gathering her documents.
Then she stopped.
"There is something else.""
I waited.
"Richard has a copy of the original Northstar incorporation agreement.""
"Why is that important?""
"Because it contains a clause you added when you started the company.""
I frowned.
"What clause?""
"The one about founder voting rights.""
I remembered.
Northstar's founding agreement included a provision protecting my controlling interest during certain restructuring events.
"What about it?""
Monica swallowed.
"Richard told me he found a way around it.""
Sarah stood immediately.
"How?""
Monica looked toward the door.
"I don't know the details.""
"Then why are you telling us?""
She reached into her portfolio and removed a folded sheet of paper.
"Because Richard sent this to me last week.""
I opened it.
It was a copy of a proposed shareholder resolution.
The resolution would transfer voting authority over several Northstar subsidiaries to a temporary management committee.
At the bottom were three names.
Anthony Reed.
Richard Cole.
And Monica Ellis.
My blood ran cold.
I looked at her.
"Did you sign this?""
"No.""
"Did you agree to it?""
She shook her head.
"Not after I realized what they were planning.""
I looked at Sarah.
She was already photographing the document.
Then my office phone rang.
My assistant's voice came through.
"Mr. Hayes, Anthony Reed is here.""
I looked at the clock.
9:47 a.m.
"Send him in.""
The door opened.
Anthony walked into the conference room wearing a dark business suit.
He looked directly at Monica.
Then at me.
"Daniel, I think we need to talk.""
I pointed toward the document on the table.
"Yes. We do.""
Anthony sat down.
His eyes moved to the proposed resolution.
For a fraction of a second, his expression changed.
Then he smiled.
"Where did you get that?""
I leaned forward.
"From your wife.""
Anthony turned toward Monica.
She looked down.
He shook his head.
"Monica, I specifically told you not to discuss company matters without me.""
Sarah immediately interrupted.
"Mr. Reed, this is an independent investigation. You do not get to dictate what witnesses discuss.""
Anthony looked at her.
Then back at me.
"Daniel, you're making a serious mistake.""
I placed the loan agreement beside the resolution.
"Then help me understand these documents.""
He glanced at the signature.
His face tightened.
I continued.
"Why did Harbor Crest lend money to Cedar Ridge using a signature that wasn't mine?""
Anthony said nothing.
"Why did Richard use my credentials to approve payments?""
Still nothing.
"And why are your names listed on a resolution designed to transfer control of my subsidiaries?""
Anthony slowly leaned back.
Then he smiled.
It wasn't the confident smile I remembered from our first lunch.
It was colder.
More deliberate.
"Because, Daniel, you were never supposed to own those companies for very long.""
I stared at him.
He adjusted his cuff.
"And if Richard had followed the original plan, you would already have signed away control of Northstar.""
Sarah stood.
"Mr. Reed, I strongly advise you not to say another word without legal representation.""
Anthony ignored her.
He looked directly at me.
"You think you built Northstar alone?""
I said nothing.
He leaned forward.
"Ask yourself who introduced you to Richard. Who arranged your first major acquisition. Who connected you to the investors who funded your expansion.""
My chest tightened.
Then Anthony delivered the sentence that made the room go silent.
"Your company was built using money that belonged to me.""
He placed a document on the table.
It was dated three years earlier.
And beneath the heading was a name I had never expected to see.
*Northstar Strategic Holdings — Original Beneficial Ownership Agreement.*
I looked at the first paragraph.
May you like
Then I realized something terrifying.
The document appeared to show that I had never been the sole owner of my company at all.
