Page 28 of Triplet Babies
“We caught it at the preliminary customs review. Our contact flagged it as suspicious because the artwork descriptions didn’tmatch the declared values.” He closes the laptop. “Seems someone clearly expects this kind of cooperation from us.”
I lean back in my chair, processing the implications. “Or they think they can sneak it past us and make us the dupes. They’re testing our security to see how much access they can gain to our operations.”
“That’s my assessment. The question is whether Viktor acted alone, or if he’s working with someone else.”
“Bring him in. I want to know exactly how someone convinced him to compromise a dormant account without authorization.”
“Already done. He’s in the warehouse office, waiting for your instructions.”
I stand, reaching for my jacket. “Let’s go have a conversation with Viktor.”
The drive to the warehouse gives me time to consider the broader implications of this breach. Someone with detailed knowledge of our financial structure convinced a trusted employee to access an account that should have been untouchable. Either we have a serious security problem, or the Nikitins are more resourceful than I gave them credit for.
Viktor Petrov sits in the office chair like a man facing execution, which isn’t far from the truth. He’s middle-aged and soft around the edges, with the look of someone who’s spent his life avoiding trouble but suddenly found himself in the middle of it.
“Viktor.” I take the chair across from him while Valentin positions himself by the door. “Tell me about yesterday’s transaction.”
His voice shakes when he speaks. “Mr. Barinov, I can explain. The authorization looked legitimate, and I thought?—”
“I’m not interested in what you thought. I want to know exactly what happened, from the beginning.”
He takes a shaky breath. “A man called yesterday morning and said he was representing one of your European partners. He had all the right codes, knew about the Meridian account, and even knew my daughter’s name.”
“What did he want?”
“Authorization for a customs payment. He said it was time-sensitive, and you were traveling so you couldn’t handle it personally.” He wipes perspiration from his forehead. “He provided all the documentation, Mr. Barinov. Account numbers, routing information, and even copies of what looked like your signature on the authorization forms.”
That’s infuriating, but I maintain an icy demeanor. “Describe this man.”
“American accent, and he sounded professional. He knew details about our operations that only someone with inside access would know.” Viktor’s voice becomes more desperate. “I’ve been loyal to your family for six years. I would never intentionally compromise?—”
“Someone convinced you to access a dormant account without verification from me or Valentin.” I keep my voice level, but Viktor flinches as if I’d shouted. “That’s either incompetence or betrayal.”
“I thought I was following proper procedures. The documentation looked authentic.”
I study his face, looking for signs of deception. All I see is genuine fear and confusion, which doesn’t necessarily mean he’s telling the truth. “Viktor, I want you to understand something. This transaction would have resulted in federal charges against our entire organization. Your family would have been left without protection or support while you served a lengthy prison sentence.”
He nods frantically. “I understand now. I should have verified directly with you and should have questioned the urgency.”
“Yes, you should have.” I stand, signaling the end of the conversation. “Clean out your desk. Your employment here is terminated immediately.”
“Mr. Barinov, please. I have a wife and children. This job is all I have.”
“You should have considered that before compromising our security.”
Valentin steps forward. “I’ll escort you out.”
“Wait.” I study Viktor’s face one more time. “Who else knows about the Meridian account?”
“No one, I swear. I’ve never discussed dormant accounts with anyone outside the organization.”
“Your family? Friends? Anyone you might have mentioned work details to?”
He frantically shakes his head. “Never. I’ve always been careful about operational security.”
I nod to Valentin, who takes Viktor’s arm and guides him toward the door. The man’s career with us is over, but whether he livesto find new employment depends on whether I believe his story about being deceived rather than corrupted.
After they leave, I spend an hour reviewing our financial security protocols and identifying vulnerabilities that need to be addressed. If someone can convince a trusted employee to compromise dormant accounts, we need better verification procedures and clearer consequences for unauthorized access.
