Julian’s fear answered Edgar’s question before his mouth could form a single word. He locked his phone, pushed it into his pocket and moved away from Simon. His eyes dropped to the floor as though looking at Edgar directly would expose everything he had revealed.“I only asked him for directions,” Julian said. His voice shook despite his effort to remain calm. “I wanted to know where the nearest washroom was.”Edgar looked towards the sign on the supply-room door before facing him again. “You have worked in this building for eight years, Julian. Are you asking me to believe that you suddenly forgot where the washroom is?”Julian swallowed and rubbed his damp palms against his trousers. “I meant another washroom, sir. The one near the Finance department is being cleaned.”Edgar’s eyes moved to Simon. “And this fool followed you inside a supply room to explain that?” he asked. His voice remained quiet, but suspicion was growing beneath every word. “What else were the two of you discussi

Edgar’s order left the Finance Department colder than before. The employees stared at him, but nobody reached for the internal phone. Ordering Security to remove a worker was understandable, but demanding that they break his arm was something else entirely.Edgar noticed their hesitation and struck the nearest desk with his palm. “Did everyone suddenly become deaf?” he demanded. “Call Warren Cole and tell him to bring his strongest officers. I want this cleaner taught a lesson he will remember whenever he tries to touch an important man again.”A nervous accountant picked up the desk phone. Her fingers shook as she entered the Security Department’s extension. “Mr. Cole, the chief financial officer needs you inside the Finance department immediately,” she said. “He said you should bring four officers with you.”Simon released the mop handle and looked towards the elevators. Edgar believed the arrival of Security would restore the authority he had lost, but his violent command had prese

Simon picked up the mop and held it across his body. “Walk away,” he warned. “None of you needs to be injured for Edgar Sloan.”The officer on Simon’s left pulled out his baton. “We answer to the head of Security, not a cleaner,” he said. “Drop the mop and surrender.”Simon watched the baton rise. “Then you should ask whether your head is leading you towards duty or a prison cell,” he replied. “This is your final warning.”The baton swung towards Simon’s ribs. He blocked the officer’s wrist with the mop handle, turned it sharply and forced the weapon from his hand. The baton slid beneath a desk before Simon pushed the man backwards into an empty chair.The other two officers recovered and attacked again. Simon swept one man’s leg aside, caught his uniform and lowered him onto the floor. He then struck the final officer once in the stomach, leaving him bent over and struggling for breath.The fight ended almost as quickly as it had begun. Simon stood among the four officers without a w

Edgar hurried forward with the proud expression of a man expecting praise. “This man entered the Finance Department under a false identity,” he explained. “He attempted to spy on confidential operations and attacked four security officers when we confronted him.”The second board member studied Simon. “Did Human Resources confirm that his identity was false?” she asked. “Have you reviewed his temporary employment documents?”Warren stepped beside Edgar. “There was no time to complete those checks,” he replied. “He became violent when my officers attempted to detain him.”Simon remained silent. Every false statement was being recorded, and neither man understood how deeply they were burying themselves.The younger officer studied Simon’s face and glanced at the injured guards. “Sir, this arrest feels rushed. We have witnesses, cameras and employment records available. Ignoring all of them could destroy the entire case before it begins.” Rusk ignored him.The first board member frowned.

Edgar forced his expression to settle, though the sweat spreading across his forehead exposed the fear he could no longer hide.“Those were private communications that had nothing to do with the company.” Edgar said with trembling lips.“I watched you remove transaction files from a secret cabinet,” Simon continued. “I heard you order records taken through the executive parking area without entering them in the archive register.”Edgar shook his head rapidly. “Those documents were being prepared for your inspection. Their movement was necessary to protect confidential information.”“Then why did you tell Julian to deny seeing them?” Simon asked. “Why did the briefcase contain sealed Arranguare records, a storage drive and an envelope connected to Darton Freight?”Edgar stared at Simon in disbelief. The chairman knew about the cabinet, the archive register and even the labels on documents Edgar had hidden inside the briefcase. Those details had never appeared in any official report, wh