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Jack sat across from Desert West Financial CFO Ronald Tucker in Ron’s private office early Tuesday afternoon.
“Sorry to drop in last minute,” Jack said, accepting the water bottle that Ron offered him.
“I’m glad I was in,” Ron said. “I’m leaving this evening with our CEO to meet with investors.” He glanced at the door.
“Are we waiting for someone?”
“The assistant CFO. But go ahead, I can fill him in later. I read your report and am a bit confused. You believe that Jennifer is the only one who could have downloaded the software, but have no evidence?”
“Correct. At this point, you may want to lock her out of the office, the computers, until you question her. We don’t think she’s sold any proprietary information, and there’s no sign that she’s planning to do so, but again, her behavior has been suspicious so it has to be your call.” Jack wasn’t sold on not telling Ron about Jennifer’s meeting with Monroe, but both his mother and Margo wanted to hold it back until they knew more.
“I don’t know what to do,” Ron said. “I don’t want her to be guilty of anything. There may be a logical explanation.”
Maybe, Jack thought, but Ron didn’t seem to be a decisive CFO. Jack would have already confronted Jennifer with the information they had. “Our staff went through the logs you provided, but my partner thinks we need to review the on-site logs. An expert can assess whether the logs were tampered with only if they can access the hard drive. We’d like to bring in our in-house computer expert.”
“Anything you need, you have,” Ron said. “I’m leaving for Las Vegas tonight with the CEO, Gavin O’Keefe, since we have a long line of meetings. I’ll be back Thursday afternoon, and then I’ll talk to Jennifer. It would help if you were there, to outline what you’ve found and why her actions are concerning.”
“I’ll be there.”
That seemed to relieve him. “Thank you. Brad can get you set up for tonight.”
“It would be best if no one, not even your most trusted employee, knows what we’re doing here,” Jack said.
Ron seemed surprised, then agreed. “Building security will then need to let you in.”
“Okay. One more question. I went through the records you gave me and there is only one contact for Ms. White—her neighbor. Do you know anything about her family?”
“She doesn’t talk about her family,” Ron said.
“Did you know she took a pay cut when she left her last job?”
“Yes. She said that the stress was difficult to manage with her last employer, and she preferred our smaller, more relaxed environment. She also came highly recommended by Mr. Logan Monroe, who had owned the company with Mr. O’Keefe until about eighteen months ago.”
Confirming what Jack knew without him asking. Suspicious, or conversational?
“And the split between Mr. Monroe and Mr. O’Keefe was amicable enough that you accepted his recommendation?”
“They’ve been friends for more than a decade. Logan wasn’t really interested in the financial sector. We buy and sell loans. It’s a profitable niche market. I think the rote tasks bored Logan. Gavin doesn’t interfere in the day-to-day management, but is hands-on at the macro level, such as investor and client meetings. Logan is more of an innovator. Is there a reason you’re asking?”
“I’m verifying what I’ve learned about Ms. White. She interned for Mr. Monroe, and he recommended her for this job.”
“She more than proved herself. That’s why I’m having a hard time believing she’d steal from us.”
Jack rose. “What time does your staff leave?”
“Generally everyone is gone by five—our office is open from six a.m. to five p.m. to handle both East and West Coast transactions.”
“My people will be here at five thirty, if you can make sure your staff is all gone?”
“Yes, and I’ll let security know.”
“Thank you,” Jack said.
“How long do you need?”
“A few hours.” Lulu said it wouldn’t take long, and Jack hoped they had the answers tonight.
“You’ll let me know as soon as you know?” Ron said. “Call me, no matter the time. I’m losing sleep over this.”
