I spent two days cooking Thanksgiving dinner. Before tasting anything, my mother-in-law m0cked my food and homemade rolls. I smiled, packed every dish into my car, and left. Four hours later, their calls wouldn’t stop.

“But Claire is one of the forensic consultants our firm trusts most.”

Diane’s expression changed.

Brooke stopped moving her bracelet.

Eric stared at me.

Julian continued.

“She was selected for this review specifically because our team believed no one at Mercer Construction was familiar with her professional reputation.”

I opened my folder.

“Over approximately twenty-seven months, I found repeated transactions where company funds appear to have been categorized in ways that don’t match their actual purpose.”

Martin leaned forward.

“Those were legitimate company expenses.”

I slid several pages across the table.

“Spa memberships?”

Nobody answered.

I turned another page.

“Luxury vacations?”

Martin tightened his jaw.

Another document.

“Payments connected to Brooke’s boutique rent?”