"Preston did this."
Odell didn't answer immediately. "I suspect it. Suspicion isn't proof. The bank may have a legitimate obligation to check something, even if somebody maliciously supplied the allegation. We respond to the review with the records and investigate the source separately."
"Can the board force them to release it?"
"No. The bank makes its own compliance decision. That's why we need to cooperate with the legitimate process rather than pretending it can be switched off by an angry telephone call."
Malik stared at the notice on Odell's laptop. It said only that further verification was required. There was nothing to tell him whether the hold would last hours, days, or longer.
"He can hurt the company while claiming he's protecting it," Malik said.
Odell nodded. "And he can use the hold as his reason for demanding better terms."
"So we're supposed to surrender?"
"No. We're supposed to do something harder. Prove we're clean without giving him a single careless statement he can use against us."
They worked until after midnight. Odell created a document index with a separate line for every source-of-funds record, audit opinion, ownership chart, subscription agreement, bank reference, and investment committee approval. He had worked in compliance for fifteen years because he understood how quickly a file became difficult to defend when people mixed assumptions with facts.
Malik made calls to the fund's operations chief and outside audit partner. Both confirmed that the capital commitments were documented and the relevant money was available subject to the ordinary closing process. Maya Chen sent a formal inquiry asking the bank to identify the particular issues requiring clarification and to preserve the external report that had triggered the review.
At two in the morning, Malik rubbed his eyes.
"Do you ever get tired of paperwork?"
Odell looked over his glasses. "Every day. That's why I organize it. I'd rather be bored by a complete file than surprised by a missing one."
Malik laughed despite himself.
Odell closed a binder. "Listen. Yarrow is trying to make you rush. That's how people make mistakes. He wants you tired, embarrassed, and worried about the factories so you'll sign whatever he puts in front of you. We don't respond on his timetable."
Malik looked at the framed photograph of his father standing on Odell's bookshelf. Darius had introduced the two of them when Malik was fourteen. At the time, Odell had told him that if he wanted to understand a business, he should ask how it made money and what happened when the money stopped coming in.
"Dad would have hated this," Malik said.
"Your father would have hated Preston's treatment of you. He also would have told you to keep the deal separate from your pride. There are good employees at Yarrow Industries who didn't decide what happened in that lobby."
"I know. That's why I haven't walked away."
"Then don't forget them. But remember you are not obligated to save a company at the cost of your dignity."