I smiled.
She didn’t know a major healthcare network had recently licensed my software.
The first payment—nearly half a million dollars—was scheduled to arrive in a protected trust account Ryan couldn’t access.
“Enjoy the yacht,” I said. “Corporate auditors are reviewing who paid for it.”
The confidence disappeared from her voice.
“What?”
I ended the call.
At four o’clock, Ryan’s employer contacted me.
I supplied documents.
Only documents.
Expense reports.
Forged approvals.
Messages discussing ways to disguise the trip.
One message from Ryan stood out:
Emma never checks anything.
By five o’clock, both Ryan and Nicole had been suspended.
At six, the resort revoked access to their luxury suite after corporate authorization disappeared.
Ryan sent twenty-six messages.
Threats.
Apologies.
Promises.
