“He told us a firm that forgets how it survived will eventually forget how to treat people.”
I looked at him.
“That sounds like him.”
Elias reached into his coat and removed a small black access card.
He placed it in my hand.
“The final ledger and the original agreement are stored in Geneva. Your father knew you might eventually need them.”
I examined the card.
“Why give me this now?”
“Because the firm is starting to ask questions about you.
And some of the people asking them clearly haven’t read the founding documents.”
He paused.
“Your father wanted those documents available when they were needed.”
I placed the card inside my folder.
Before leaving, Elias told me he was reviewing whether to continue his firm’s investment relationship.
He’d become concerned about the quality of management and internal controls.
I didn’t ask him to withdraw his money.
I didn’t need to.
He’d already seen enough to begin making his own decisions.
Over the following days, the situation at work deteriorated.
Richard was increasingly irritated by the questions surrounding my employment.
He wanted an explanation for Elias’s sudden departure.
He wanted to know why I hadn’t disclosed my father’s identity in casual office conversations.
And he wanted the questions about the $240,000 transfer to disappear.
I continued reviewing records.
Then Richard summoned me to his office.
Two people from Human Resources were present.
So was Jenna from Compliance.
Richard stood beside his desk.
He accused me of disrupting the client presentation, accessing information beyond my responsibilities, and refusing to cooperate with his inquiries.
Jenna interrupted.
“Rebecca didn’t disrupt the presentation. Mr. Rurk ended it himself.”
Richard waved her objection away.
“She has been making unauthorized inquiries.”
I opened my folder.
“I reported a discrepancy in a transfer you approved. The records are attached.”
His expression tightened.
“That isn’t the issue.”
“Then what is?”
He looked toward Human Resources.
“I’m suspending her effective immediately. Revoke her credentials and collect her badge.”
One representative began taking notes.
I looked at Jenna.
She appeared troubled.
Before anyone could proceed, there was a knock at the glass door.
Three people from the company’s legal and compliance leadership entered.
Behind them came two board members.
And finally, Chairwoman Delgado.
She carried a thick envelope sealed with red wax.
Richard looked irritated.
“I’m in the middle of a personnel matter.”
Delgado placed the envelope on his desk.
“This personnel matter now involves the board.”
She asked him to sit.