Chapter 6 - THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH
Paul Mercer had worked for David Vance for almost nine years.
He was not a particularly impressive man.
He was forty-eight, slightly overweight, and perpetually anxious about disappointing people with more money than himself.
But he understood numbers.
And for a long time, David had valued that skill.
Paul had started as a financial controller.
Within three years, he became chief financial officer.
The salary was generous.
The bonuses were substantial.
And the opportunities seemed endless.
Then the business began changing.
David stopped asking for financial forecasts and started demanding results.
He wanted investor reports that showed constant growth.
He wanted loans approved quickly.
He wanted explanations for losses that would satisfy shareholders without revealing underlying problems.
At first, Paul convinced himself the company was merely using aggressive accounting.
Then he began noticing forged approvals.
Money moving without proper authorization.
Investment statements that did not reconcile.
And financial records being changed after the fact.
Paul had told himself he would leave.
But he never did.
By the time he realized how serious the misconduct might be, he had already signed too many documents.
Now the business was collapsing.
And David was enjoying a yacht vacation.
Paul met Maya and Rebecca at a quiet restaurant outside the city.
He arrived fifteen minutes early.
When Maya entered, he immediately stood.
"Mrs. Vance."
"Paul."
His face looked exhausted.
"I'm sorry about Lily."
Maya studied him.
"You knew?"
He nodded.
"I found out three days ago."
"From who?"
"One of the staff members."
Maya felt anger rise.
"Did you tell David?"
Paul looked down.
"No."
"Why?"
He swallowed.
"I was afraid."
Maya stared at him.
Paul continued quickly.
"Not of the news."
He shook his head.
"Of David."
Rebecca leaned forward.
"Mr. Mercer, why did you ask for this meeting?"
Paul removed an envelope from his jacket.
"Because I think he's going to blame everything on me."
He placed the envelope on the table.
Inside were copies of financial documents and handwritten notes.
Rebecca glanced at the first page.
"What is this?"
"Records I kept."
"Why?"
"Because eventually I realized someone would need proof."
Maya looked at him.
"Proof of what?"
Paul's eyes moved toward the window.
"That David ordered the transactions."
Rebecca placed her hand on the envelope.
"Before you say anything further, you should understand that you may need independent legal counsel."
Paul nodded immediately.
"I've already hired someone."
"Good."
"He told me to stop speaking without him."
Rebecca raised an eyebrow.
"Then you should follow that advice."
Paul looked desperately toward Maya.
"But you need to know one thing."
Rebecca held up a hand.
"Mr. Mercer."
Paul stopped.
For several seconds, the three of them sat in silence.
Then Maya spoke.
"Paul, if you have evidence, your attorney can provide it to federal investigators."
He nodded.
"I know."
Maya leaned forward.
"But answer one personal question."
Paul looked at her.
"Did David know Lily was in the hospital?"
Paul's face changed.
The answer was written across it before he spoke.
Maya felt her pulse quicken.
"Paul?"
He looked away.
"I don't know exactly what he read."
Maya's voice tightened.
"What does that mean?"
Paul swallowed.
"His assistant received a call from the hospital."
Maya froze.
"When?"
"The day Lily was admitted."
Rebecca looked at Paul.
"Are you certain?"
Paul nodded.
"I was there when she mentioned it."
Maya gripped the edge of the table.
"What did she say?"
"That someone from a hospital in Chicago had called about his daughter."
Maya's breathing slowed.
"Who did she tell?"
Paul looked directly at her.
"David."
Maya stared.
Paul continued quietly.
"He was in the office preparing to leave."
"What did he say?"
Paul hesitated.
"Mrs. Vance—"
"What did he say?"
Paul looked down at his hands.
"He said you were always overreacting."
Maya felt the room shift around her.
Paul added, "He told his assistant not to interrupt his vacation unless the company was facing a major financial emergency."
Maya closed her eyes.
Rebecca touched her arm.
Paul's voice dropped.
"I'm sorry."
Maya opened her eyes.
"Did he know how serious it was?"
"I don't know."
"Did he know Lily was in intensive care?"
"I never heard anyone tell him that."
"Then I need to speak to his assistant."
Paul nodded.
"Her name is Natalie Price."
Maya knew Natalie.
She had worked for David for six years.
Efficient.
Quiet.
Always impeccably dressed.
David once joked that Natalie could manage three disasters before breakfast.
Now Maya wondered how many disasters Natalie had been required to conceal.
Rebecca gathered the envelope without examining the contents further.
"Paul, we're ending this meeting."
He nodded.
"I understand."
"Contact your attorney."
"I will."
"And have your attorney contact the investigators."
Paul looked at Maya.
"I'm sorry."
Maya stood.
"Then do something useful with that regret."
Paul lowered his head.
As she walked toward the door, he spoke again.
"Maya."
She stopped.
He looked terrified.
"There is another document."
Rebecca turned.
"What document?"
Paul swallowed.
"A contingency agreement."
Maya frowned.
"For what?"
Paul looked from Rebecca to Maya.
"It's supposed to take effect if David becomes unavailable."
Maya stared.
"What does it say?"
Paul hesitated.
May you like
Then he answered.
"It names you as the person responsible for the company's losses."
