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“Of course it is,” I state.

It’s been four months since I started working with Mission Events. That’s four months of working with people, sewing the two companies together with skilled hands. It’s not the first time I’ve bought a controlling fifty-one percent of a company.

Before the gala made our relationship impossible to dismiss as rumor, I disclosed it to HR and transferred Natalie’s compensation, performance reviews, and job security to Elena Torres, Ashford’s COO. Natalie still works with me on events, but I no longer control her career. I told her before filing the change, and she insisted on that boundary. So did I.

“There are duplicate vendor accounts,” Steve calmly explains. “The records we found show that it’s been going on for over two years.”

“Jesus,” I let out. “And Jim Blythe is unaware?”

“Allegedly, yes,” Steve answers. “Or was. It was difficult to track because at first the sums were small but growing with time, and the money came from so many different directions that only someone in the accounting department themselves would have caught it. Recently, though, the stolen funds have been much, much higher which caused budgets for different departments to be affected. Any department head would have noticed it. Which is probably why Natalie and Dylan spotted it.”

I think about that. “You say allegedly because right now Jim Blythe can’t be ruled out,” I state.

“I don’t think anyone can really be ruled out right now,” Terry says. “Especially those with access to finances.”

I click my pen in my hand. “Who was in charge of finances before?” I ask.

“Janice Brunswick,” Steve states. “Head of accounting for over ten years. Recently retired early.”

“Reason?” I ask.

They shake their heads, and I pinch the bridge of my nose, squeezing my eyes shut for a moment before saying, “Get Jim Blythe on the phone.”

A moment later, and slightly to my surprise, Jim’s voice fills the office. I could picture Jim seeing Ashford on the caller ID and deciding to ignore it. Maybe even shooting the bird at the phone screen until the call went to voicemail.

“This is Jim,” he says with no emotion.

“Jim,” I begin. “This is Marcus Ashford.”

There is a brief pause before an audible tongue click. “What can I do for you?” he asks. I have to give him credit. He could have cussed me out and no one would have blamed him. He could have hung up on me, and the universe wouldn’t have batted an eye.

“I need to speak with you about some accounts that have raised a rather large amount of concern,” I tell him.

Another pause, and another tongue click of consideration.

“Are you referring to the apparent embezzlement?” he asks. Terry and Steve look at each other before looking at me. It’s no secret to me that Natalie spoke with her father, and it doesn’t really matter. If he is involved, he’s aware that we now know about it.

“I am,” I say flatly.

“Did you figure out who’s behind it yet?” he asks almost impatiently. “With all your money and resources?”

“We are working on that,” I tell him.

“You know…I looked into it some myself,” he says. “The parts of the account I still have access to, anyways. There has been a trickle of money leaving M.E. over the last couple of years, but the bleed-out has happened in the last few months. How long have you been a part of the company again, Ashford?”

Tuck shakes his head, and Steve and Terry show obvious disgust, but I humor the man for a moment. I knew that was the way it would be perceived. Based on statistics, it makes sense. It’s obviously false. I am in no way a part of whatever is happening, but I can’t discredit anyone who can add two plus two and get four.

His suspicion is reasonable. From where Jim is sitting, Ashford takes control and the losses accelerate. I need to give him facts, not indignation.

“I understand how that might look, but I am losing money too. Which is why I wanted to speak with you, Jim. You are right that we are losing funds and fast. Not just me, not just you, but everyone with shares in the company. And the company as a whole is suffering. Mission is suffering. Ashford is suffering. We are going to get to the bottom of it.”

“You want to work together,” he says. “After shoving me out of my own company.”

“I don’t really see it that way, Blythe. A broker representing Mission shareholders offered Ashford a controlling block. It was a business move for me. A smart business move. But now, we are both losing. And once we figure out who is behind the embezzlement, which I believe you and I can do, you will get your money back, Blythe. Not just the money lost since your daughter spotted the hole…but every penny you have lost in the last two years.”

There’s a beat. Everyone in my office is holding their breath after I speak my piece.

“So what do you need to know?” he asks. I can’t help the smile that forms on my lips.