Chapter 12 - The Price of Waiting
"Monday is too late," Ana said when I told her.
We stood in the side corridor outside the ballroom. On the other side of the wall, someone had turned the music back on, as though a violin could make a financial crime disappear.
"My landlord gave me until tomorrow," Ana continued. "Kayla's paying for her little brother's insulin. Two kitchen workers sleep in their car because the hotel cut their hours."
"I know."
"Knowing isn't the same as fixing it."
She didn't say it to hurt me. That made it hurt more.
Dana joined us. "I can set up emergency wages through a separate escrow account, but I need funds that aren't tied to the hotel."
"Use mine," I said.
"Nora, we're talking about a substantial amount. You'd be advancing payroll before the company reimburses you."
"Then I'll be the one who waits."
Ana covered her mouth. I shook my head before she could thank me.
"No one gets a medal for paying people what they're owed."
We worked quickly. Dana called an independent payroll processor. I authorized a personal escrow deposit to cover base wages and an estimated portion of the withheld tips, pending exact reconciliation. Employees would get individual written statements showing what was paid and what still needed auditing. No vague promises, no envelope cash that could vanish from the record.
"What about the people already fired?" Kayla asked when she heard.
"They get reviewed, too," I said. "No one loses a claim because Graham took away their badge."
Eli came down the corridor carrying his phone and a portable drive. "The valet dashcam caught Mrs. Vale before the push. Her assistant is in the frame, too."
I watched the video. Vivian approached my cart, spoke to the assistant, and placed the borrowed bracelet into a blue pouch. Minutes later the assistant returned to the cart while everyone watched the fountain.
The camera didn't catch every detail of the planting, but the sequence was clear enough to contradict Vivian's version.
"Send copies to Dana and Luis," I said. "Keep the original device safe."
A message flashed across Eli's screen from an unknown number.
DELETE THE RECORDING OR YOUR SISTER LOSES HER SCHOLARSHIP.
May you like
Eli went white.
His younger sister's tuition was paid by the Vale Foundation.
