One week later, the company held its annual founders’ dinner. Dean was expected to be appointed honorary chairman.
He entered smiling and shaking hands.
Before the announcement could be made, I stepped up to the microphone.
At first, people smiled politely.
Then I spoke Nora’s name, and Dean’s expression changed.
I told them everything.
Not only about the false entries and the loan.
I told them about the silence that followed.
And the price everyone else had paid.
Nora had paid for Zane’s peace with her career.
Jeremy had paid with eight years of silence.
And I would not pay by protecting Dean’s comfort for even one more day.
Nora came forward carrying the records. The retired accountant who had trained her verified both the signatures and the pattern of transfers.
Two former employees also submitted statements confirming that Dean had blamed them for irregular transactions they had never made.
