When My Son Reported a Theft, I Went Looking and Found the Real Ledger in Our Dallas Office

I looked down at the stainless steel travel mug in my right hand, turning it slowly.

The black lid had a little sliding thumb vent, and it was pushed all the way open.

I unscrewed the lid completely, holding the mug level while the red floor numbers counted down.

Six.

Five.

Four.

In the back corner of the elevator floor, right beside the polished stainless steel baseboard, was a small brass drain grate meant for floor runoff.

I tipped the travel mug over and poured the dark, steaming tea straight down the open brass drain.