“For the past eleven months,” he reads, “I engaged forensic accountants to review irregularities within Caldwell Industrial Holdings and certain connected personal expenditures. Their findings are enclosed and have already been delivered to outside counsel, the board audit chair, and federal authorities should release conditions be met.”
Ethan goes absolutely still.
Not angry still.
Not offended still.
Predator-hears-gun-cock still.
I know that stillness. I felt it once years ago when a highway patrol officer stepped to his window after he’d spent ten miles driving too fast and too smug. The body knows before the mouth does.
Harlan continues, and each word lands like a measured hammer strike.
“The review identified unauthorized expense routing, concealed payouts, misuse of company housing allowances, and the redirection of vendor retainers toward non-disclosed personal properties, including an apartment in Clayton leased under an LLC connected to Ethan Caldwell.”
Lauren’s face drains.
Her hand grips the armrest.