Chapter 4: The Brother Behind the Money
I stared at the document for several seconds.
Derek Mitchell.
Denise's younger brother.
Thirty-seven years old.
Former car salesman.
Current owner of several seconds.
Derek Mitchell.
Denise's younger brother.
Thirty-seven years old.
Former car salesman.
Current owner of a consulting company that had received nearly half a million dollars from Sterling Hospitality Group.
I looked at Richard.
"Does Denise know Derek owns a consulting company that had received nearly half a million dollars from Sterling Hospitality Group.
I looked at Richard.
"Does Denise know Derek owns this company?""
Richard rubbed his forehead.
"That's what we're trying to determine.""
Peter spoke quietly.
"I think she does.""
I turned toward him.
"Why?""
this company?""
Richard rubbed his forehead.
"That's what we're trying to determine.""
Peter spoke quietly.
"I think she does.""
I turned toward him.
"Why?""
He opened the envelope and removed another sheet.
"Three weeks ago, I was reviewing vendor approvals. I noticed that DCMHe opened the envelope and removed another sheet.
"Three weeks ago, I was reviewing vendor approvals. I noticed that DCM Consulting had submitted invoices for marketing services that weren't listed in our campaign records.""
"Did you contact the vendor?""
"I did. The person who Consulting had submitted invoices for marketing services that weren't listed in our campaign records.""
"Did you contact the vendor?""
"I did. The person who answered was Derek Mitchell.""
"Did you speak to Denise?""
"Yes.""
Peter swallowed.
"She told me answered was Derek Mitchell.""
"Did you speak to Denise?""
"Yes.""
Peter swallowed.
"She told me the company was a private supplier and that I shouldn't question executive-approved expenses.""
Richard leaned back.
"Peter, the company was a private supplier and that I shouldn't question executive-approved expenses.""
Richard leaned back.
"Peter, why didn't you report this immediately?""
"I did. I sent an email to finance.""
"And?""
Peter looked down.
"My manager told me to leave it alone.""
I why didn't you report this immediately?""
"I did. I sent an email to finance.""
"And?""
Peter looked down.
"My manager told me to leave it alone.""
I frowned.
"Who was your manager?""
Peter hesitated.
"Denise.""
I closed my eyes briefly.
This was worse than I had expected.
Not because frowned.
"Who was your manager?""
Peter hesitated.
"Denise.""
I closed my eyes briefly.
This was worse than I had expected.
Not because of the money.
Because my wife had spent the previous evening telling people that I was useless while apparently helping of the money.
Because my wife had spent the previous evening telling people that I was useless while apparently helping her brother profit from the company my father had built.
I stood up.
"Richard, I want the audit committee to handle this independently.""
He her brother profit from the company my father had built.
I stood up.
"Richard, I want the audit committee to handle this independently.""
He nodded.
"Agreed.""
"And I don't want anyone making decisions based on my marriage.""
Richard looked at me.
"Marcus, no one nodded.
"Agreed.""
"And I don't want anyone making decisions based on my marriage.""
Richard looked at me.
"Marcus, no one is asking you to protect her.""
"Good. Because I won't.""
Peter shifted in his chair.
"There's something else.""
I is asking you to protect her.""
"Good. Because I won't.""
Peter shifted in his chair.
"There's something else.""
I turned.
"What?""
He pulled a folded sheet from the envelope.
"I found this in the property records.""
I opened it.
It was turned.
"What?""
He pulled a folded sheet from the envelope.
"I found this in the property records.""
I opened it.
It was a lease agreement for the old Sterling House building.
The original property had been transferred into Carter Estate Holdings decades earlier.
A small a lease agreement for the old Sterling House building.
The original property had been transferred into Carter Estate Holdings decades earlier.
A small portion of the building had been leased to Sterling Hospitality Group for archival and training purposes.
The lease had been amended six years portion of the building had been leased to Sterling Hospitality Group for archival and training purposes.
The lease had been amended six years earlier.
I recognized the signature at the bottom.
Mine.
But the document had been modified.
Someone had added a clause giving the earlier.
I recognized the signature at the bottom.
Mine.
But the document had been modified.
Someone had added a clause giving the company an option to purchase the property for a nominal amount if the original use requirements were discontinued company an option to purchase the property for a nominal amount if the original use requirements were discontinued.
I read the clause again.
Then I looked at Richard.
"Who drafted this?""
He shook his head.
"I don't know.
I read the clause again.
Then I looked at Richard.
"Who drafted this?""
He shook his head.
"I don't know.""
"Who requested the amendment?""
"According to the file, the request came from the regional office.""
I looked at.""
"Who requested the amendment?""
"According to the file, the request came from the regional office.""
I looked at the signature block.
Denise's name appeared beneath the approval section.
Peter spoke again.
"Marcus, I don't think the signature block.
Denise's name appeared beneath the approval section.
Peter spoke again.
"Marcus, I don't think this was an ordinary administrative mistake.""
I looked at him.
"Why?""
"Because the property is worth several million this was an ordinary administrative mistake.""
I looked at him.
"Why?""
"Because the property is worth several million dollars. If the option is exercised, the company could acquire it for less than the cost of a used car.""
I felt a cold pressure behind my dollars. If the option is exercised, the company could acquire it for less than the cost of a used car.""
I felt a cold pressure behind my ribs.
My father had spent years restoring that property.
It wasn't just valuable real estate.
It was where Sterling had ribs.
My father had spent years restoring that property.
It wasn't just valuable real estate.
It was where Sterling had begun.
I remembered him showing me the original kitchen when I was twelve.
He had stood beside the old stove and begun.
I remembered him showing me the original kitchen when I was twelve.
He had stood beside the old stove and said, "Never forget this place, Marcus. The people who started here had no money, no connections, and no guarantees. said, "Never forget this place, Marcus.
The people who started here had no money, no connections, and no guarantees. They only had each other.""
I looked at the lease again.
"Did I approve this amendment?""
Peter shook his head.
"The signature They only had each other.""
I looked at the lease again.
"Did I approve this amendment?""
Peter shook his head.
"The signature appears to be yours, but the original digital record is missing.""
Richard leaned forward.
"Marcus, we need to be careful. This could be appears to be yours, but the original digital record is missing.""
Richard leaned forward.
"Marcus, we need to be careful. This could be a fraudulent document.""
"Then let's establish that.""
I placed the paperwork in the folder.
"Nobody contacts a fraudulent document.""
"Then let's establish that.""
I placed the paperwork in the folder.
"Nobody contacts Denise or Derek until the legal team has secured the original records.""
Richard nodded.
"Understood.""
I turned toward Peter.
Denise or Derek until the legal team has secured the original records.""
Richard nodded.
"Understood.""
I turned toward Peter.
"Thank you for bringing this forward.""
He looked relieved.
"I wasn't sure anyone would listen.""
"I believe you.""
When Peter left"Thank you for bringing this forward.""
He looked relieved.
"I wasn't sure anyone would listen.""
"I believe you.""
When Peter left, Richard walked around the desk.
"Marcus, I need to ask you something.""
"Go ahead.""
"Are you, Richard walked around the desk.
"Marcus, I need to ask you something.""
"Go ahead.""
"Are you prepared for what happens if Denise is involved?""
I looked out the window.
"She's my wife.""
"I know.""
"But Sterling is prepared for what happens if Denise is involved?""
I looked out the window.
"She's my wife.""
"I know.""
"But Sterling is my father's company.""
Richard nodded.
I picked up the folder.
"Those are two separate responsibilities.""
By the time I arrived home, Denise was already waiting my father's company.""
Richard nodded.
I picked up the folder.
"Those are two separate responsibilities.""
By the time I arrived home, Denise was already waiting in the living room.
She stood beside the fireplace, still wearing her work clothes.
Her arms were folded.
"Where in the living room.
She stood beside the fireplace, still wearing her work clothes.
Her arms were folded.
"Where have you been?""
"At the office.""
"With Richard?""
"Yes.""
She walked toward me.
"What did he tell have you been?""
"At the office.""
"With Richard?""
"Yes.""
She walked toward me.
"What did he tell you?""
"That there's an audit.""
Her face tightened.
"About the invoices?""
I stopped.
I hadn't mentioned you?""
"That there's an audit.""
Her face tightened.
"About the invoices?""
I stopped.
I hadn't mentioned invoices.
"Which invoices?""
She blinked.
Then forced a smile.
"Richard mentioned there were accounting questions.""
I put my invoices.
"Which invoices?""
She blinked.
Then forced a smile.
"Richard mentioned there were accounting questions.""
I put my keys on the table.
"Did he?""
"Yes.""
I studied her.
"Do you know a company called DCM Consulting keys on the table.
"Did he?""
"Yes.""
I studied her.
"Do you know a company called DCM Consulting?""
For a fraction of a second, her expression disappeared.
Then she laughed.
"Why?""
"Just asking.""
"Derek?""
For a fraction of a second, her expression disappeared.
Then she laughed.
"Why?""
"Just asking.""
"Derek's company does some marketing work.""
I nodded.
"So you know it.""
"Of course I know's company does some marketing work.""
I nodded.
"So you know it.""
"Of course I know it. He's my brother.""
"Did you approve payments to the company?""
She looked offended.
"I'm responsible it. He's my brother.""
"Did you approve payments to the company?""
She looked offended.
"I'm responsible for regional operations. I approve hundreds of invoices.""
"That's not an answer.""
She stepped closer.
"Marcus, are you interrogating me?""
"No. for regional operations. I approve hundreds of invoices.""
"That's not an answer.""
She stepped closer.
"Marcus, are you interrogating me?""
"No. I'm asking a question.""
"Then stop acting like a corporate investigator.""
I took off my jacket.
"Did I'm asking a question.""
"Then stop acting like a corporate investigator.""
I took off my jacket.
"Did you approve payments to Derek's company without disclosing your relationship?""
She stared at me.
Then her expression you approve payments to Derek's company without disclosing your relationship?""
She stared at me.
Then her expression changed.
"You've been talking to Peter.""
I didn't answer.
She laughed bitterly.
"That little snake.""
"Peter raised a changed.
"You've been talking to Peter.""
I didn't answer.
She laughed bitterly.
"That little snake.""
"Peter raised a legitimate concern.""
"Peter is ambitious. He wants my position.""
"Maybe.""
"He has been legitimate concern.""
"Peter is ambitious. He wants my position.""
"Maybe.""
"He has been undermining me for months.""
"Maybe.""
She threw her hands up.
"Will you stop saying maybe?""
undermining me for months.""
"Maybe.""
She threw her hands up.
"Will you stop saying maybe?""
I looked at her.
"Then give me something factual.""
She stepped back.
For a moment, I thought she might tell me the truth.
Instead,I looked at her.
"Then give me something factual.""
She stepped back.
For a moment, I thought she might tell me the truth.
Instead, she said, "Derek's company provided services. The invoices were legitimate.""
"Then the audit will confirm that she said, "Derek's company provided services. The invoices were legitimate.""
"Then the audit will confirm that.""
"Why do you sound like you want it to fail?""
"Because I want the truth.""
She.""
"Why do you sound like you want it to fail?""
"Because I want the truth.""
She stared at me.
Then she lowered her voice.
"Marcus, listen carefully. You have no idea how complicated business can be. stared at me.
Then she lowered her voice.
"Marcus, listen carefully. You have no idea how complicated business can be. People make arrangements.
They help family members. It doesn't mean anyone is stealing.""
I nodded slowly.
"Would you have called People make arrangements. They help family members. It doesn't mean anyone is stealing.""
I nodded slowly.
"Would you have called it helping family if I had done the same thing with a company owned by my sister?""
She looked away.
"That's different it helping family if I had done the same thing with a company owned by my sister?""
She looked away.
"That's different.""
"How?""
"Because you're not the one running a business.""
I almost smiled.
There it.""
"How?""
"Because you're not the one running a business.""
I almost smiled.
There it was again.
The assumption that I knew nothing because I wasn't currently collecting a paycheck.
I walked toward the staircase.
Denise followed.
was again.
The assumption that I knew nothing because I wasn't currently collecting a paycheck.
I walked toward the staircase.
Denise followed.
"Where are you going?""
"To change.""
"We haven't finished talking.""
"Then we can finish when you're ready"Where are you going?""
"To change.""
"We haven't finished talking.""
"Then we can finish when you're ready to answer honestly.""
She grabbed the railing.
"Marcus, if you damage my career over this to answer honestly.""
She grabbed the railing.
"Marcus, if you damage my career over this, I will never forgive you.""
I stopped halfway up the stairs.
"Your career isn't my responsibility.""
She looked furious.
"After everything, I will never forgive you.""
I stopped halfway up the stairs.
"Your career isn't my responsibility.""
She looked furious.
"After everything I've done for you?""
I turned around.
"Everything you've done for me?""
She nodded.
"I've kept this household running.""
I've done for you?""
I turned around.
"Everything you've done for me?""
She nodded.
"I've kept this household running.""
I stared at her.
"Denise, I cooked your promotion dinner.""
"That's not the point.""
"II stared at her.
"Denise, I cooked your promotion dinner.""
"That's not the point.""
"I paid your certification fees.""
"Years ago.""
"I covered your mother's hospital deposit.""
She rolled her paid your certification fees.""
"Years ago.""
"I covered your mother's hospital deposit.""
She rolled her eyes.
"Are you keeping score now?""
"No. I'm reminding you that I never used money to decide whether you eyes.
"Are you keeping score now?""
"No. I'm reminding you that I never used money to decide whether you deserved respect.""
She said nothing.
I continued upstairs.
At eleven fifteen that night, my phone rang.
It was Peter.
deserved respect.""
She said nothing.
I continued upstairs.
At eleven fifteen that night, my phone rang.
It was Peter.
I answered immediately.
"Peter?""
His voice was shaking.
"Marcus, I'm sorry to call so late.""
"What's wrongI answered immediately.
"Peter?""
His voice was shaking.
"Marcus, I'm sorry to call so late.""
"What's wrong?""
"I just received an email from legal.""
"What did they say?""
"They want me to surrender my?""
"I just received an email from legal.""
"What did they say?""
"They want me to surrender my laptop tomorrow.""
"That's normal during an investigation.""
"I know. But that's not why I'm calling.""
He paused.
Then whispered.
"Someone came laptop tomorrow.""
"That's normal during an investigation.""
"I know. But that's not why I'm calling.""
He paused.
Then whispered.
"Someone came to my apartment tonight.""
My stomach tightened.
"Who?""
"I didn't see his face clearly. He left an to my apartment tonight.""
My stomach tightened.
"Who?""
"I didn't see his face clearly. He left an envelope outside my door.""
"What was inside?""
Peter took a shaky breath.
"A photograph of my daughter leaving school.""
I sat up envelope outside my door.""
"What was inside?""
Peter took a shaky breath.
"A photograph of my daughter leaving school.""
I sat up.
"What?""
"And a note.""
"What did it say?""
Peter's voice broke.
"It said, 'Stop digging.
"What?""
"And a note.""
"What did it say?""
Peter's voice broke.
"It said, 'Stop digging into DCM Consulting if you want your family to stay safe.''"
For several seconds, I couldn't speak.
Then I asked into DCM Consulting if you want your family to stay safe.''"
For several seconds, I couldn't speak.
Then I asked the question that made everything worse.
"Peter, did you tell anyone else about the documents?""
He hesitated.
"Only one person the question that made everything worse.
"Peter, did you tell anyone else about the documents?""
He hesitated.
"Only one person.""
May you like
"Who?""
"Denise.""
