Chapter 7 - The Board Before Dawn
At four thirty Monday morning, Clara sat in Naomi’s office while the evidence was delivered to every independent member of the board.
The package included forged documents, bank transfers, medical payments, custody drafts, security footage, and the recording from dinner.
Daniel Cross sent a separate report tracing all eighteen million dollars.
Clara also included a personal statement.
She did not ask for sympathy.
She requested an immediate vote to suspend Richard, freeze Northstar’s accounts, protect company records, and refer the evidence to federal investigators.
At six fifteen, the chairman called.
“We have enough for an emergency session,” he said. “Where is Richard?”
“He believes the board meeting begins at ten.”
“And where will you be?”
“Leaving the city.”
Naomi looked surprised.
Clara explained that her father’s private jet was scheduled to fly to Vancouver for maintenance. She planned to use the flight to stay with her aunt for several weeks.
She needed distance from Richard and the reporters who would soon surround the company.
More importantly, she wanted Richard to see that she was leaving by choice, not because he had forced her away.
At seven, Clara returned home with two security officers.
Richard and Sabrina were gone.
Most of Richard’s clothes remained in the closet, but his passports and several watches were missing.
“He knows something,” Naomi said.
Clara checked the location history on the family car.
Richard was driving toward the airport.
His planned escape had been moved forward.
Clara contacted the pilot and instructed him to prepare the aircraft immediately.
On the way to the runway, Naomi received a message from the chairman.
The board had listened to the recording.
Two members who had previously supported Richard demanded his removal.
At eight forty-two, the vote began.
Clara’s black sedan passed through the private airport gate.
Ahead of them, Richard stood beside Sabrina near the white jet. They had believed the aircraft was waiting for them.
When Clara stepped out carrying her suitcase and briefcase, Richard finally understood.
The jet had never been part of his escape.
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It belonged to Clara.
And so did the evidence that would end him.
