Chapter 18
“I’m not asking this board to choose between my husband and me because we’re having marital problems.”
I looked directly at Caleb.
“I’m asking you to protect this company from a disputed voting instrument and financial transactions that have not been adequately explained.”
The chairman nodded slowly.
“Then we should address those transactions.”
Caleb went still.
Mr.
Harlan distributed another set of documents.
They summarized payments from a Whitmore subsidiary to the consulting business associated with Vanessa.
Several invoices contained broad descriptions of advisory services.
The corresponding project files did not adequately establish that the billed work had been performed.
The company’s finance committee had already requested supporting records.
The responses were incomplete.
“These payments require an independent audit,” Mr.
Harlan said.
Vanessa straightened in her chair.
“My company provided legitimate services.”
“Then an audit should establish that,” I replied.
She looked at me sharply.
I turned to Caleb.
“You recommended her company, didn’t you?”
He shifted.
“She’s an experienced consultant.”
“Did you disclose your personal relationship with her?”
His mouth tightened.
“Our personal lives are irrelevant.”
“Not if the relationship created a conflict of interest in the vendor approval process.”
He stared at me.
I could see him searching for the frightened woman he had controlled so easily.
But she was no longer sitting in front of him.
I looked at Vanessa.
“How long have you known Caleb?”
Her lips parted.
“That’s a personal question.”
“You were introduced to me as a consultant he had recently reconnected with.”
Caleb interrupted.
“This is a business meeting, Eleanor.”
“You’re right.”
I turned to the chairman.
“Then the board should know whether the person receiving company money had an undisclosed personal relationship with the executive recommending those payments.”
The chairman looked at Vanessa.
“Ms.
Lane, can you clarify that relationship?”
Vanessa stared at Caleb.
He gave her a small warning look.
I recognized it immediately.
I had received that look hundreds of times.
The expression that meant stop talking.
Don’t embarrass me.
Remember whose approval you need.
Vanessa swallowed.
“We’ve known each other for several years.”
“How many?” the chairman asked.
She hesitated.
I reached into my folder.
“Perhaps this will help.”
I placed a copy of the marriage certificate on the table.
Caleb shot to his feet.
“What the hell is that?”
My heart hammered.
For one second, the room seemed to spin.
Then I forced myself to speak.
“It’s a marriage record dated June 18, 2019.”