"I finish at six."
Walter checked his watch.
"I can wait."
"Why are they so important?"
Walter looked at the photograph one more time.
"Because I think your grandfather was trying to tell me something."
He paused.
"And I think I may finally be ready to listen."
At precisely one forty-five that afternoon, Arthur Bell arrived at Sterling Crown's Columbus dealership.
He came in a black executive sedan accompanied by Conrad Voss and two corporate security officers.
Arthur was sixty-nine years old, tall, silver-haired, and immaculate in a dark blue suit.
He had the reassuring manner of a successful businessman who had spent decades making other people believe he was the most reasonable person in any room.
His smile was polished.
His handshake was firm.
His voice carried the soft authority of someone accustomed to being obeyed.
To most employees, Arthur Bell represented stability.
He had been with Sterling Crown through expansion, recession, restructuring, and international growth. He had helped transform a modest regional manufacturer into a company with dealerships across North America and distribution agreements overseas.
Walter had once trusted him with almost everything.
Perhaps that was why Arthur's arrival made the old man feel a sadness he could not yet explain.
Arthur found Walter in the service bay.
"Walter!"
He approached with his arms open.
"My God, it's good to see you."
Walter accepted the embrace.
"Arthur."
"You should have called me."
"I was nearby."
"Nearby? You live two hundred miles away."
"I've driven farther for a decent cup of coffee."
Arthur laughed.
Then his eyes moved toward the damaged suspension bracket sitting on the workbench.
His smile faltered.
"What's all this?"
"Looking at a few warranty issues."
Arthur nodded.
"Ah, yes. Richard mentioned you had concerns."
"Did he?"
"Naturally. We all want to ensure customer satisfaction."
Walter picked up the cracked bracket.
"Does this look satisfactory to you?"
Arthur inspected it briefly.
"Manufacturing defects happen."
"Forty-seven times?"
Arthur's expression tightened.
"Forty-seven?"
"That's the number we have so far."
"Well, there may be a misunderstanding. Warranty statistics need context."
Walter nodded.
"Of course."
Arthur glanced toward Conrad.
Conrad stepped forward.
"Mr. Sterling, we've already opened an internal review."
Walter looked at him.
"When?"
"This morning."
"Before or after you learned I was here?"
Conrad hesitated.
"After, sir."
"I see."
Arthur placed a reassuring hand on Walter's shoulder.
"Listen, old friend. You're not supposed to be spending your retirement crawling around workshops and worrying about individual warranty claims."
Walter looked at the hand.
Arthur removed it.
"I appreciate your concern," Walter said.
"But I haven't retired from caring whether our motorcycles are safe."
"Of course not."
"Then you'll understand why I'm requesting an independent engineering review."
Arthur's eyes sharpened.
"Independent?"
"Yes."
"We have excellent internal engineers."
"I'm sure we do."
"Then why involve outsiders?"
Walter placed the bracket down.
"Because someone inside the company approved a report blaming customers for a defective part."
Arthur was silent.
Walter continued.
"And because the technician who questioned that report was suspended."
Arthur glanced at Conrad again.
Conrad's expression remained blank.
Walter noticed the exchange.
"Do you know Daniel Ruiz?" he asked.
Arthur frowned.
"The name sounds familiar."
"He was our chief technician here."
"Ah, yes. The disciplinary matter."
"Was he stealing information?"
Conrad answered before Arthur could speak.
"An internal investigation concluded that he violated confidentiality protocols."
Walter turned toward him.
"What information did he steal?"
"Engineering documents."
"Which documents?"
Conrad paused.
"That information is confidential."
Walter stared at him.
For a moment, the only sound was the hum of the workshop ventilation system.
Then Walter spoke.
"Mr. Voss, I founded this company. I own the controlling interest. I am chairman of its board. And I have been holding engineering drawings in my hands since before you were born."
Conrad's face reddened.
Walter stepped closer.
"If you ever tell me again that information about my own company's safety is too confidential for me to see, I will assume you have something to hide."
Arthur raised both hands.
"Gentlemen, there's no need for confrontation."
Walter looked at him.
"Then there should be no problem arranging the review."
Arthur forced a smile.
"Of course."
"Good."
Walter picked up his coat.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have somewhere to be."
Arthur frowned.
"Where?"
"A personal visit."
"Would you like a driver?"
"No."
"Security?"
"No."
"Walter, at least let me—"
"Arthur."
The old man turned.
"You're my oldest surviving business partner. I appreciate everything you've done for this company."
For one second, Arthur appeared relieved.
Then Walter continued.
"But friendship is not a substitute for accountability."
The words landed between them like a physical blow.
Walter walked away.
Arthur watched him until he disappeared through the doorway.
Then his smile vanished.
He turned toward Conrad.
"Find out where he's going."
Conrad nodded.
"And Richard?"
Arthur's eyes darkened.
"Bring him to me."
Walter had scarcely reached the parking lot when his phone rang.
The caller was his attorney, Eleanor Price.
Eleanor was sixty-one, sharp-minded, discreet, and one of the few people in Walter's life who never hesitated to tell him when he was making a mistake.
She had handled his legal affairs for nearly twenty years.
"How is Columbus?" she asked without greeting.
"Interesting."
"That usually means expensive."
Walter smiled.
"It may be."
"I received your message about an independent investigation. What's happening?"
"I think someone is stealing from the company."
Eleanor became serious.
"How certain are you?"
"Certain enough to ask questions."
"Who do you suspect?"
Walter looked back toward the dealership.
"Arthur."
There was silence.
Then Eleanor said, "Are you alone?"
"Yes."
"Good. Listen carefully. Don't confront him again without counsel present."
"I've already spoken to him."
"Walter."
"I know."
"No, I don't think you do. Arthur controls operations, procurement, several internal reporting systems, and the corporate security department. If he is involved in misconduct, he may have had years to build layers of protection."
Walter listened.
Eleanor continued.
"I can arrange an outside forensic accounting team. But I need you to authorize a confidential review."
"You have my authorization."
"And I need something else."
"What?"
"Do not make promises to employees about the results until we know what happened. Protect evidence. Preserve records. If this includes safety defects, we'll need to address customers and regulators appropriately."
Walter sighed.
"I thought you'd tell me to come home."
"I considered it."