Andrea's answer came quickly.
"I believe Evelyn was afraid of Richard."
That surprised him.
"Evelyn doesn't seem afraid of anyone."
"People change."
Malcolm thought about Flight 418.
Evelyn had arrived fast.
Maybe because she knew what could happen if another complaint became public.
Maybe because she wanted to stop Parker.
Or maybe because she wanted to control the damage.
There was only one way to know.
Malcolm called her.
She answered immediately.
"Where are you?"
"With Andrea Cole."
Silence.
Long.
Then:
"Malcolm."
"Come here."
"I don't think—"
"Come here."
She exhaled.
"Send me the address."
"You already know it."
Another silence.
That was confirmation.
Evelyn arrived forty minutes later.
No red folder this time.
No executive certainty.
She stepped into the apartment and saw Andrea.
The two women stared at one another.
Andrea spoke first.
"You got older."
Evelyn almost laughed.
"So did you."
"Not by choice."
Evelyn nodded.
"I deserved that."
Malcolm closed the door.
"We're going to have an honest conversation."
Evelyn looked at the recorder.
"You heard it."
"Yes."
"All of it?"
"Enough."
"No."
She walked toward the table.
"If you're going to judge me, hear all of it."
Andrea's eyes narrowed.
"What are you talking about?"
Evelyn picked up the recorder.
"That device stopped before the meeting ended."
Andrea frowned.
"No."
"It did."
"How would you know?"
"Because Richard searched you."
Andrea's face changed.
Evelyn continued.
"He found the second recorder."
Andrea stood.
"What second recorder?"
Malcolm looked between them.
Evelyn spoke slowly.
"You had two."
"I had one."
"No."
Evelyn reached into her bag.
She removed a small plastic evidence pouch.
Inside was another recorder.
Andrea stared.
Her knees nearly gave way.
Marcus pulled out a chair.
"Sit."
Andrea didn't.
"Where did you get that?"
Evelyn placed it on the table.
"Richard's office."
"When?"
"Yesterday."
Malcolm's eyes narrowed.
"Before Flight 418?"
"Yes."
"Why were you in Vale's office?"
"Because I've been investigating him."
Malcolm stared.
"Without telling me."
"I didn't know whom to trust."
"You could have trusted me."
"Could I?"
The question cut.
Malcolm said nothing.
Evelyn continued.
"You bought control of Northstar eighteen months ago. Richard has been here twenty-three years. Half the senior leadership owes him something."
"That includes you."
"Yes."
Andrea looked at her.
"What do you owe him?"
Evelyn's face tightened.
"My career."
No one spoke.
She continued.
"Richard got me promoted. Paid for my executive law program. Recommended me for general counsel."
Andrea laughed bitterly.
"And in return?"
"I cleaned things."
Malcolm's jaw tightened.
"What things?"
"Settlements. Complaints. Personnel disputes."
"Discrimination?"
"Sometimes."
"Harassment?"
"Yes."
"Retaliation?"
Evelyn looked down.
"Yes."
Malcolm stood very still.
"Crimes?"
She looked at him.
"I don't know."
"That's not good enough."
"I genuinely don't know."
Marcus tapped the second recorder.
"Let's hear this."
Andrea looked terrified.
Evelyn pressed play.
The room filled with static.
Then Richard Vale's voice.
"We're finished."
Andrea:
"I'm not signing."
A chair moved.