Page 48 of Fallen Roses

“That’s not uncommon. Many businesses use charitiesto help with their taxes. So what if the money comes from their personal bank account or their business one? Who are we to question that?”

James draws out a folder from his desk drawer and fixes her with a blank look.

“That may be, but I’m guessing the donations that were made to your husband’s presidential campaign would make for an interesting segment on CNN news.”

“What are you talking about?”

Adele is attempting to remain impassive but I watch her foot moving rapidly, revealing James has hit a nerve.

He pulls out the papers and says evenly, “Gold enterprises is a principal donor to the sum of five hundred thousand dollars. The origins of the donation are from the company’s official checking account.”

He raises his eyes. “That’s not bad for a company who made three million dollars in losses last year.”

“That’s their business, not ours.”

“True, but it’s a pattern that’s repeated and if I cross reference the two lists, they match up perfectly.”

James leans back. “It appears that your husband’s, um, friends, are investing heavily in both his campaign and the foundation. The money in question is from personal funds injected into the failing business, or by way of an investment.”

He leans forward and glares at Adele. “Why would a company require additional funding to help keep it afloat and then donate the same amount to charity or a presidential campaign?”

“You are asking me?” Adele rolls her eyes. “You’re the CEO, you tell me.”

She makes to stand. “I’ve heard enough. This has nothing to do with you anymore anyway because if I remember correctly, you quit.”

She stares at James with an angry snarl.

“It’s a shame you decided to terminate our arrangement, James, because I doubt it will be easy to find a job delivering mail in this country when word gets out how unreliable you are. I mean–” She sneers, “You are the man in charge of this company and I must raise serious concerns with the board about your suitability. It appears that you have been allowing unauthorized donations to corrupt our fine name, and I’m certain my friends at the justice department will see it from my point of view.”

“Are you threatening him?”

I speak up because I’ve heard enough from this dreadful woman and I’m certain she forgot I was here as she swings her gaze to mine in shock.

“I’m sorry, do you actually have a say in anything regardingmycompany because I fail to understand what a junior accountant can bring to this?”

“Rather a lot, actually, Adele.”

She frowns at my casual use of her name and James stiffens beside me as I set out to prove exactly who they are dealing with.

“I have listened and now it’s my turn to talk.”

Adele makes to leave and I say icily, “Sit down, Mrs.Kenricky, or Iwillbe making that phone call and releasing the recording to the internet.”

It has the desired effect, and she drops into the chair and snarls, “Fine, get on with it.”

I reach inside my briefcase and remove the file that Mikhail had delivered this morning when James was in the shower.

As I remove the documents, I pull myself up and say coolly, “This is a contract stating that you are relinquishing all involvement in The Rose Foundation and handing your shares to the current CEO, James Warner.”

“What the–”

They both speak at once, and I hold up my hand for silence.

“James has bought the controlling interest in the charity for the sum of one dollar.”

“Are you mad?”

Adele bursts out laughing and James appears to be in shock and I shrug. “In return, you get the recording, the file on the anomalies, the one regarding the donations to your husband’s campaign, and we wipe all the evidence from the records. To the world, you are beyond reproach and can continue your campaign to the Whitehouse.”

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