"Did Daniel know anything about this?" Victoria asked. Miriam shook her head. "Not until we contacted him to request his consent to review the incident details.
He was surprised. He asked whether the money could be returned to its rightful source and whether the courier was in trouble." Victoria closed the folder. She wanted to call Daniel immediately, but she knew she owed him more than an apology delivered in haste. First she needed to address the person who had created the problem.
Linda entered the office with the same straight posture she wore into every difficult meeting. When Victoria asked whether she had authorized the second-wallet incident, Linda admitted it without hesitation. She insisted that the test was intended to protect the chief executive and the company from a man whose motivations were unknown. Victoria asked whether Daniel had requested money, access, contracts, employment, or any other favor. Linda had no examples to offer.
"The absence of a demand can be part of a long game," Linda argued. "You have built an empire, Victoria. People will do extraordinary things to reach you. I couldn't stand by while you made yourself vulnerable."
"You used company money to place a fabricated wallet on his porch," Victoria replied. "You sent someone to watch him take it. You involved the police without his knowledge. You treated an actual person as a laboratory animal because you couldn't accept that he might be honest."
Linda began to answer, but Victoria continued. "Protecting me does not give you permission to violate another person's dignity. Nor does it authorize you to put this company at risk."
Linda's face tightened. "I was trying to prevent you from making a mistake."
"Then you made one instead," Victoria said. Her voice remained level, which made the words harder to dismiss. "You are being removed from your duties effective immediately. Human resources and legal will complete a formal review of the unauthorized transactions, and your position will be terminated according to the findings. You will have an opportunity to respond in that process."
For the first time in years, Linda appeared unable to find the correct next sentence. She looked at Victoria, perhaps hoping to see anger she could negotiate with, but she found only disappointment. "I've protected this company since before some of your executives knew its name," she said. "You know that."
Victoria nodded. "I do know it. I am grateful for the work you've done. That's what makes it especially painful that you believed it entitled you to do this."