"Not by itself. But several employees have said that Vanessa's authority expanded after Peter became director."
Arthur thought about the unofficial title of floor manager.
"Was that expansion documented?"
"No."
"Then we need to understand why."
Martin opened the second folder.
"We also reviewed the complaints submitted by former employees. Two of them mentioned that Vanessa appeared to know when complaints were being made before the corporate office contacted her."
Arthur's expression tightened.
"How could that happen?"
"We don't know."
"Did she have access to the complaint system?"
"No."
"Then someone may have told her."
"Possibly."
Arthur looked toward the window.
He had expected resistance from people who feared change.
He had not expected to discover that the company's internal controls might be so weak that employees could be punished for reporting problems.
"Martin, I want an independent review."
"I agree."
"Not by your department."
Martin nodded.
"I can recommend an external firm."
"Do that. They will report directly to the audit committee."
"Understood."
Arthur gathered the folders.
"Until the review is complete, all disciplinary actions related to the current investigation are suspended. No one is to alter or destroy records. Access logs must be preserved."
Martin wrote down the instructions.
"And Peter Lawson?"
"Place him on administrative leave while we examine the disputed transactions."
Martin looked surprised.
"Immediately?"
"Yes."
"That will raise questions."
"Then we will answer them."
Arthur stood and walked toward the cabinet behind his desk.
Inside was a framed document from the year Lumina had opened its first location.
The paper had yellowed at the edges.
Arthur removed it carefully and placed it on the table.
At the top, in his own handwriting, was the original company mission statement.
Every customer deserves to leave our chair feeling that they have been seen, heard, and respected.
Below it were three principles.
Craft before vanity.
Service before status.
Integrity before profit.
Martin read the words silently.
"I remember this," he said.
Arthur nodded.
"I wrote it when we had two chairs and a leaking roof."
He ran his fingers along the edge of the frame.
"Back then, we had almost nothing. We couldn't afford expensive furniture. We couldn't afford advertising. We couldn't afford to turn away a customer who needed a haircut."
He looked at Martin.
"We built our reputation by treating people well. Somewhere along the way, we began treating our reputation as something separate from the people who created it."
Martin lowered his eyes.
Arthur returned the document to the cabinet.
"I want that mission statement reviewed as part of the investigation."
Martin looked up.
"Reviewed?"
"Not rewritten by a marketing team. Reviewed by the people who work here. Every location. Every level."
He paused.
"I want to know whether they still believe it."
The following morning, Peter Lawson arrived at headquarters at eight-forty.
He was a polished man in his early fifties, with dark hair graying at the temples and a habit of adjusting his cuffs before speaking.
He had been with Lumina for fourteen years.
During that time, he had helped expand the company from nine locations to twenty-four. He was respected by investors and frequently praised for his operational discipline.
He was also accustomed to getting what he wanted.
When Martin informed him that he would be placed on administrative leave pending an independent review, Peter initially assumed it was a misunderstanding.
"On what grounds?" he asked.
"Disputed financial transactions and potential failures in recordkeeping."
Peter's face remained composed.
"Those transactions were routine."
"Then the review should establish that."
"Why wasn't I consulted before this decision?"
"Because you are directly connected to the records under review."
Peter stared at him.
"Are you suggesting I did something improper?"
"I'm saying that we need an independent process."
Peter leaned forward.
"Martin, I've spent fourteen years building this company. I have personally overseen more than a hundred million dollars in revenue."
"And that experience will be considered."
"Considered?"
Martin remained calm.
"Peter, this is not a negotiation."
Peter sat back.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then he looked at the document in front of him.
"Is this about Vanessa?"
Martin did not answer.
Peter's expression changed.
"I assume it is."
"Why?"
"Because she's the one who handles the schedule. If something is wrong with the records, she'll be involved."
"That is one possibility."
Peter gave a short laugh.
"You're making a mistake."
"Perhaps. The review will determine that."
Peter stood.
"Arthur won't allow this to happen."
Martin met his eyes.
"Arthur authorized it."
The color drained from Peter's face.
For the first time, he seemed to understand the seriousness of the situation.
He gathered his briefcase and walked toward the door.
Before leaving, he turned back.
"Do you know what happens when you start questioning the people who built a company?"
Martin answered quietly.
"You find out whether they built it to last."
Peter left without another word.
That afternoon, the independent audit firm began reviewing Lumina's financial records.
The initial results were more troubling than expected.
Several transactions had been processed through administrative accounts that should have been used only for exceptional circumstances. The approval codes had been entered at times when the authorized account holders were not scheduled to work. Some refunds had been issued without customer signatures.