Chapter 5
I didn't answer immediately.
I wanted to hear what Raymond would say next.
My best friend had just admitted knowing about my wife's secret debt.
And somehow, he was speaking as if I were the one who needed an explanation.
"Marcus?" he asked.
"I'm here."
"Listen, don't overreact."
I almost laughed.
"Overreact to what?"
He lowered his voice.
"Calvin is difficult, but he can be reasonable."
I stared at the computer screen.
At the unauthorized payment.
At the name Brooks Strategic Capital.
"Raymond, why is there a two-hundred-and-seventy-five-thousand-dollar transfer from our company to Calvin?"
Silence.
Then he said, "That's complicated."
"Try explaining it."
"It's related to project financing."
"I didn't approve it."
"Your authorization was processed."
"I was in Chicago."
Another silence.
Then Raymond spoke more sharply.
"Marcus, we're supposed to be partners."
"Then act like one."
He sighed.
"Come to the office. We can discuss this privately."
I looked toward the stairs.
Nia was sleeping.
Jordan was still helping Gloria.
For years, I'd believed Raymond would protect my family if anything happened to me.
Now I wondered whether he had been putting them in danger.
"I'll be there in thirty minutes."
I ended the call.
Then I called our attorney, Vanessa Reed.
Vanessa had represented my company for eight years.
She knew every major contract.
I explained what I'd discovered.
Her voice became serious.
"Marcus, don't accuse anyone until we preserve the records."
"I have screenshots."
"Good. Don't alter the files. I'll arrange an independent forensic review."
"Should I confront Raymond?"
"I'd prefer you didn't do it alone."
I looked at the clock.
"He's expecting me."
"Then I'm coming."
Twenty-five minutes later, Vanessa met me outside our office building.
She wore a dark blue suit and carried a leather folder.
"One rule," she said.
"What?"
"Let him talk."
I nodded.
We entered together.
Raymond's assistant looked surprised.
"Mr. Carter, I didn't know you were bringing counsel."
I forced a smile.
"Neither did Raymond."
We walked into the conference room.
Raymond stood near the windows.
His expression changed when he saw Vanessa.
"What's this?"
"A business meeting," I said.
He looked uncomfortable.
"Marcus, I thought we'd talk as friends."
I sat down.
"Friends don't hide company payments."
Raymond's jaw tightened.
Vanessa placed a notebook on the table.
"We're here to clarify several financial transactions."
Raymond leaned back.
"There's nothing improper."
"Then this should be easy," she replied.
I watched him.
For twenty years, I had trusted that face.
He'd been there when Jordan was born.
He'd helped carry my father's casket.
He knew my family better than almost anyone.
Now I wondered how much of that friendship had been real.
Vanessa asked about the transfer.
Raymond claimed it was a short-term consulting expense.
She requested the signed agreement.
He said the paperwork was being finalized.
I stared at him.
"Two hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars, and the paperwork isn't finished?"
He looked at me.
"Marcus, don't make this personal."
I leaned forward.
"You made it personal when you involved my wife."
His face changed.
"I didn't involve Nia."
"Then how did Calvin know about her loan?"
Raymond said nothing.
I felt something inside me crack.
"You knew she was struggling."
He looked away.
"You knew she was working herself sick."
"Marcus—"
"And you didn't tell me."
His expression hardened.
"Your wife made her own choices."
I stood.
Vanessa raised a hand.
I stopped.
She turned toward Raymond.
"Did you authorize the payment using Mr. Carter's credentials?"
Raymond stared at her.
"I want my lawyer."
Vanessa nodded.
"That's your right."
And that was how the meeting ended.
Not with a confession.
Not with a dramatic fight.
Just the realization that the man I trusted most was afraid to answer a simple question.
Outside, I sat in my truck for several minutes.
My hands wouldn't stop shaking.
Vanessa stood beside the window.
"Marcus, we need to move quickly."
I looked at her.
"What can we do?"
"Secure the company's accounts, notify the bank, preserve records, and review access privileges."
I nodded.
She hesitated.
"There's another issue."
"What?"
"If someone used your credentials to move money, we need to determine whether the hospital contract was affected."
My stomach twisted.
"Could we lose it?"
"Possibly."
I stared at the building.
Dozens of families depended on my company.
Carpenters.
Electricians.
Project managers.
Office staff.
People who had trusted me to keep their jobs safe.
This wasn't just about my pride.
It was about everyone who worked for us.
By late afternoon, Vanessa had initiated the necessary reviews.
Raymond's access to sensitive systems was restricted pending investigation.
The bank began examining the suspicious transfers.
I returned home exhausted.
Nia was sitting in the living room.
She held a cup of tea.
Jordan sat beside her.
When I entered, they both looked up.
I tried to smile.
But Nia knew immediately.
"What happened?"
I sat across from them.
"Raymond may have been involved in unauthorized transactions."
Jordan frowned.
"Uncle Ray?"
I nodded.
He looked genuinely hurt.
"But he's family."
Those words broke my heart.
Because yesterday, I might have said the same thing.
Nia covered her mouth.
"Oh, Marcus."
I looked at her.
"We're going to handle this."
She stared at me.
"Together?"
I nodded.
"Together."
Jordan leaned forward.
"Can I help?"
I almost said no.
Then I remembered the laundry basket.
The way he'd looked at his mother.
The apology.
The effort he'd made that morning.
"You can help by focusing on school, doing your share at home, and being honest with us."
He nodded.
"I can do that."
Nia reached for his hand.
Then my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
A man's voice spoke.
"Marcus Carter?"
"Yes."
"This is Detective Aaron Mitchell with the Atlanta Police Department."
My stomach tightened.
"How can I help you?"
He paused.
"We're investigating a complaint involving your wife's loan agreement."
I sat straighter.
"What kind of complaint?"
"Possible fraud and coercion."
I looked at Nia.
She was watching me anxiously.
Detective Mitchell continued.
"Mr. Carter, we've also received information suggesting someone used your company's financial records to support the scheme."
My heart raced.
"Who gave you that information?"
He hesitated.
Then said, "A former employee of Calvin Brooks."
I gripped the phone.
"Can you tell me what they said?"
"Not everything yet. But there's something you should know."
I closed my eyes.
May you like
"Go ahead."
"Your wife may not have been the first person targeted."
