Several security experts had been interviewed about the Waldis Ultra. They explained that a mechanical safe could be highly resistant to manipulation while still being vulnerable to a forgotten combination.
One expert called Wells's decision to create a single point of failure “an expensive lesson in poor risk management.”
Thomas almost smiled.
The description was accurate.
But the story was becoming more serious than a dispute over money.
A reporter had contacted the company about Northstar Development.
The journalist wanted to know whether the documents inside the safe included records related to property acquisitions.
Wells ordered Thomas to find out how the reporter had learned about Northstar.
Thomas began reviewing the company's internal access logs.
He discovered that Daniel Mercer had downloaded several confidential files to an external device shortly before the anonymous email was sent.
The files included acquisition records and internal correspondence.
Thomas brought the finding to Wells.
“Did Daniel have authorization to download these?”
“Not for all of them.”
“Then why did he?”
Wells stared at the report.
“Call him.”
Daniel arrived twenty minutes later.
When Wells showed him the access logs, Daniel did not deny the downloads.
“I was preparing for the audit,” he said.
“The files were downloaded before the audit began.”
“I was anticipating the review.”
“Why did you copy them to an external device?”
Daniel hesitated.
“Because I wanted to preserve the records.”
“Preserve them from whom?”
Daniel's expression hardened.
“From being lost.”
Wells stood.
“Are you suggesting that I would destroy them?”
“I'm suggesting that the situation has become unpredictable.”
For several seconds, the two men stared at each other.
Then Wells understood something that made his stomach turn.
Daniel no longer trusted him.
And Wells had no idea whether the distrust was justified.
“Leave your access card,” Wells said.
Daniel looked stunned.
“Are you suspending me?”
“Until the audit is complete.”
Daniel placed the card on the desk.
Before leaving, he turned.
“You should ask yourself why so many people are suddenly afraid of what you might do.”
The door closed.
Wells remained motionless.
The boy's accomplishment had begun as a small disruption.
Now it had exposed weaknesses in his security, damaged his reputation, strained his relationships, and drawn attention to corporate records he had barely examined.
Wells looked toward the safe.
For the first time, he wondered whether opening it had been the least important thing Malachi had done.
Malachi learned about the article from his teacher.
Mr. Harris called him aside after mathematics class and asked whether he was comfortable with the attention.
“I don't think anybody knows it's me,” Malachi replied.
“Some people may guess. You are not obligated to discuss it.”
Malachi nodded.
“Can I keep working on the advanced problems?”
Mr. Harris smiled.
“Of course.”
The teacher had expected the story to distract him.
Instead, Malachi seemed determined to return to the ordinary routines that made him feel secure.
He completed his assignments, attended the university program, and continued playing chess with his friends.
But he had begun to notice how adults reacted when they thought he was not listening.
Some praised his intelligence.
Others questioned whether a ten-year-old could truly understand the value of the promise.
A few suggested that his mother should simply accept whatever money Wells offered.
Malachi found the last opinion particularly troubling.
He did understand that two hundred million dollars was an extraordinary amount of money.
He also understood that the amount did not determine whether a promise mattered.
One evening, he asked Paige whether the lawyer needed his notebook.
“Rebecca has seen a copy,” Paige replied. “She may need the original if the matter goes further.”
Malachi opened the drawer and removed it.
He turned to the page where he had written down the details of the challenge.
The words were neat and precise.
He had recorded the time, the people present, and Wells's exact statement as he remembered it.
At the bottom, he had added a note:
Mr. Stevenson said he would have his lawyers draw up the agreement.
Paige read the page.
“You did a very good job.”
“I wanted to make sure I didn't forget.”
She touched his shoulder.
“You don't have to carry this burden alone.”
“I know.”
But he was beginning to understand that his memory could be useful for more than solving puzzles.
It could help establish what had happened.
The following day, Rebecca asked Paige and Malachi to attend a meeting at her office.
She explained that Wells's legal team had requested a discussion about resolving the dispute.
“They have not made a final offer,” she said. “We should listen carefully, but you do not need to agree to anything today.”
Malachi sat beside his mother, holding his notebook.
Rebecca addressed him directly.
“Malachi, I want you to understand that nobody expects you to solve this problem. You are a child, and the adults involved are responsible for handling the legal issues.”
He nodded.
“But if someone asks me what happened, should I tell the truth?”
“Yes,” Rebecca replied. “Always. You should tell what you remember, and you should never feel pressured to guess about something you don't know.”
Malachi considered that.
“What if someone says I remembered it wrong?”
“Then we examine the evidence. Memory is important, but no one should expect you to be perfect.”
He appreciated the honesty.
The meeting with Wells's representatives took place the next week.
Two lawyers attended on behalf of the billionaire. Martin Cole was present as well.
They proposed a settlement consisting of a substantial educational trust, a cash payment, and a contribution to Paige's lost wages.
The offer was far greater than the ten thousand dollars Wells had initially provided.
But it included a broad confidentiality clause.
Paige asked whether the family would be prohibited from discussing the original promise.
One lawyer replied that the clause was intended to protect all parties from further reputational harm.
Rebecca shook her head.
“My clients are not seeking to damage anyone's reputation. They are seeking a fair resolution. The agreement should not require them to conceal the facts.”