Loretta glanced at her daughter's message and returned to the microphone. "There are two investigators from the county district attorney's office in the lobby," she said. "They have a search warrant for records relevant to the investigation. From today, nobody waits for an appointment simply because someone in authority thinks they do not matter. Please let them in."
The side doors opened a minute later. Two investigators entered with a uniformed officer and the company's legal representative, who had agreed to assist with lawful access to the specified records. The lead investigator identified himself, handed Bradley a copy of the warrant covering his office and electronic devices, and explained what would happen next. He did not accuse Bradley of a crime in front of the audience or place him in handcuffs merely because a warrant existed.
"Mr. Kincaid," he said, "we have authorization to search the identified areas and preserve relevant devices. We'd like to arrange an interview with you through your attorney. You are not required to answer questions here."
Bradley looked toward the aisle where Dennis sat with his head lowered. He looked for Sloane, who had moved away from her phone and was speaking quietly with Patricia's counsel. He looked finally at Loretta, as though hoping that she would stop the search in exchange for a private conversation. She did not move.
The investigators also asked Sloane to remain available for a voluntary interview and to preserve her messages and business documents. She nodded without looking at Bradley. As the group moved toward the elevator, the room remained silent except for the soft mechanical hum of the projector and the distant sound of the building's air-conditioning system. The new owner had spoken, but the most important work was beginning only now.
After the meeting, Teresa stayed seated for several minutes while people filed toward the exits. She was still holding the reference letter, and she kept reading its final paragraph as though she expected the words to disappear. Hayley came over, crouched beside her chair, and asked whether she wanted a moment alone. Teresa shook her head and laughed through tears.
"I came here hoping somebody would tell me I hadn't ruined my career over a glass of water," she said. "I didn't even know how to ask for anything else."
Hayley touched her shoulder. "You didn't ruin anything. We should have said that sooner."
In the hallway outside the conference suite, people spoke in low voices. Some worried that the investigation meant layoffs; others hoped that long-postponed repairs would finally receive funding. A facilities supervisor asked Ben whether the new owner would replace every department head, and Ben admitted that he did not know. For employees accustomed to announcements that described upheaval as opportunity, reassurance had to come from actions, not a speech.