Chapter 2 - The Numbers That Did Not Match
Bethany first noticed the missing money on a rainy Monday evening.
She was reviewing the monthly accounts when she found a payment of twelve thousand dollars to a construction company she had never heard of.
She called Larry.
“What work did Northline Restoration complete?”
Larry sounded distracted.
“Roof repairs.”
“Which building?”
“Maple Street.”
Bethany looked at the maintenance report.
“The Maple Street roof was repaired last year.”
“Victor said there were new problems.”
“Did you inspect it?”
“I don’t need to inspect every nail. That’s why we hired a consultant.”
Bethany continued searching.
She found another payment to Northline Restoration, then another. Over five months, more than eighty thousand dollars had been transferred to the company.
The address listed on the invoices belonged to an empty warehouse.
Bethany drove there the next morning.
The windows were covered with dust. A faded leasing sign hung behind a locked gate. There were no workers, trucks, or construction materials.
She called Larry again.
“We need an independent audit.”
“No.”
“Larry, the company receiving our money doesn’t exist.”
“Victor already explained it. They operate under several business names.”
“That makes no sense.”
“You always think you’re the smartest person in the room.”
“This isn’t about being smart.”
“It’s about you not trusting me.”
Bethany closed her eyes.
“I trust you. I don’t trust Victor.”
Larry ended the call.
That afternoon, Victor visited Larry at the management office.
He placed a folder on the desk containing projections, market reports, and photographs of damaged buildings from another state.
“Bethany is emotional,” Victor said. “She doesn’t understand how close you are to financial collapse.”
“She thinks you’re stealing.”
Victor laughed calmly.
“She went to college, didn’t she? People like her learn to question everything except their own judgment.”
Larry leaned back.
“What do you recommend?”
Victor slid another document toward him.
“A temporary transfer of signing authority. Just until the refinancing is complete.”
Larry looked at the empty line intended for Bethany’s signature.
“She’ll never agree.”
May you like
Victor’s smile did not change.
“Then you need to convince her.”
