“We just authorized forty-one thousand dollars for a custom copper still part last week,” I said, rubbing my temple again. “Could this be related to the fabrication costs?”
“No,” Julian said, shaking his head rapidly. “That forty-one thousand dollars went directly to the copper works in Louisville. I handled that invoice myself. This ninety thousand dollars is entirely separate, and it was categorized under general administrative consulting. There are no supporting hours logged.”
“I will look through the digital logs tonight,” I said, my words coming slowly as I fought the sudden, heavy fatigue creeping into my shoulders. “Leave the sheet with me.”
“The board of directors is meeting on December fifteenth,” Julian said, his eyes wide and anxious behind his thick lenses. “If the auditors find this before then, they will halt the entire winter distribution. The board members are already questioning our administrative overhead.”
“We have time before the fifteenth,” I said.
“Victoria was asking about the audit schedule yesterday,” Julian said, his voice dropping even lower. “She seemed… highly interested in which files I was pulling from the vault. She asked if we had completed the reconciliation for the consulting accounts yet.”
“Victoria manages the household accounts, Julian,” I said, a cold note entering my voice. “She has every right to ask about our general timeline.”
“Of course,” Julian stammered, pulling his collar away from his throat. “I only meant… well, the board is already restless about the drop in our export margins. I do not want any surprises.”
“Leave the ledger,” I said.
Julian did not argue further. He placed the single sheet of paper on the green blotter, grabbed his leather briefcase, and hurried out of the room, shutting the heavy door behind him with a sharp click.
