“Are you going to tell them that?”
“Yes.”
“What happens if you do?”
“The company may face scrutiny. I may lose some authority. Olivia’s conduct will be investigated, and the
board will have to explain why the oversight was inadequate.”
“And if you say it was all your decision?”
“The company could avoid a longer inquiry, at least for a while.”
“Could that protect her?”
“It might.”
“And protect you.”
He paused.
“It could make the story simpler. I’d take the blame, and the board could move on.”
“Would it be true?”
“No.”
The answer came without hesitation.
I looked out at the lake.
“Then you already know what you have to do.”
“I do.”
“Do you?”
“I know what I intend to do. I don’t know what it will cost.”
For the first time, I heard the fear beneath his composure.
It did not make me feel sorry for him.
