Chapter 18 - An Unexpected Ally in the Dust
The next morning,
I authorized a covert audit of our Midwest logistics network.
Within six hours,
federal inspectors caught two corrupt shipping managers attempting to hold back three hundred cargo containers bound for Liverpool.
The sabotage was neutralized before it could cause a single hour of delay.
I called the regional distribution manager in Indiana directly.
"Put Daniel Bennett on the line,"
I instructed.
After a brief pause,
Daniel answered,
his breath heavy from manual labor.
"Emily?"
"Your tip saved twenty million dollars in European delivery contracts,"
I informed him,
my tone measured and respectful.
"I am offering you a formal transfer to our internal compliance department."
There was a long silence on the line.
"No,
Emily,"
Daniel answered softly,
surprising me completely.
"I don't want a shortcut back into the executive floor."
"I am learning how to be a real man here,"
"working with my hands,"
"earning my keep,"
"and fixing the character flaws that ruined my life."
"I gave you that information because it was the right thing to do,"
"not because I wanted a reward."
I felt a quiet sense of peace settle over me.
"I respect that,
Daniel,"
I said gently.
"Live well."
"You too,
CEO Vance,"
May you like
he replied,
hanging up the phone.
