She asked what I wanted, and then listened long enough for me to answer.

“I want to live in my own home without being afraid,” I said.

“And I want the company reviewed without anyone destroying its employees’ jobs out of anger.”

She made both goals part of the plan.

Samuel, the forensic accountant, would work with a business attorney to examine the corporate expenses and determine how they should be recorded or repaid.

My shareholding did not entitle me to take over every operational detail by decree, any more than Gavin’s title as manager gave him permission to use company money without accountability.