Above your level.
Proceed.
Dana proceeded.
That fact became impossible for her to explain away.
On January 9th, Evan received a call.
“Mr. Ror?”
“Yes.”
“This is Margaret Sloan, chair of the Blackidge board.”
Evan sat at his kitchen table.
Sophie was doing homework across from him.
“I know who you are.”
“We need you to come in tomorrow.”
“For what?”
“To establish sequence.”
“Am I still suspended?”
A pause.
“Yes.”
“Then do you want me as an employee or witness?”
Another pause.
That question impressed Margaret.
“Witness.”
“I’ll be there.”
The board session began at eight.
Evan arrived at 7:54 wearing a clean blue shirt, work pants, and the same winter coat he wore every day.
Grant wore a suit.
Preston wore a suit.
Dana wore a black blazer and looked exhausted.
Seven directors sat around the long table.
A forensic accountant occupied one corner.
Outside counsel sat beside the audit committee.
Evan was asked when he first noticed the certificates were expired.
“December 22nd.”
“What did you do?”
“Asked HR.”
“Then?”
“Asked the CFO when the company purchased them.”
“Did he answer?”
“No.”
“Then you went to Becket?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
One director asked the question that had apparently bothered several of them.
“How did you even think to look at the code?”
Evan looked toward him.
“It was printed there.”
“I understand that. Why did you think it mattered?”