“He is calling back,” I said. “He knows you are in early.”

Charles picked up the receiver and pressed the speaker button.

“Daniel,” Charles said, his voice dropping into a professional register.

“Charles,” Daniel’s voice came through the small speaker, sharp and impatient. “Why aren’t you answering your cell?”

“I was reading through some merger files,” Charles said, looking directly at me.

“I need you to clear a transfer,” Daniel said. “Ten million from the holding account to the offshore trust in Grand Cayman.”

I felt my chest tighten.

“That requires a board signature, Daniel,” Charles said. “And the court froze your personal foreign transfers yesterday.”

“Do it anyway,” Daniel snapped. “Find a loophole. I want it done by noon.”

There was a pause, the sound of heavy breathing over the line.

“Is there a problem, Charles?” Daniel asked.

Charles looked down at the thirty-year-old signature of Daniel’s father, then at the ledger.

“No problem,” Charles lied. “I will look into the paperwork now.”

“Good. I don’t have time for delays.” Daniel hung up.

The line went dead with a soft click.