Chapter 6 - THE DEAL DEREK CALLED LEGAL
Derek returned to court with a new argument.
He admitted knowing the Lamborghini had been under service restriction.
That surprised Samantha.
Then he explained.
“The technician told me the fault had been corrected and only administrative clearance remained.”
The technician denied saying that.
Derek produced an email:
Repair complete. Awaiting final system release.
Real.
Ambiguous.
He argued he reasonably believed the car was mechanically safe.
Then he attacked Samantha.
“She had the corporate owner account. She knew the alert. She gave me the key.”
Again:
Partly true.
His attorney played the call.
The judge asked Samantha:
“Why did you demand two million dollars?”
She answered:
“Because two million disappeared from the company.”
“Did you know where it was?”
“No.”
“So you used an emergency to force disclosure.”
Samantha swallowed.
“Yes.”
Naomi had advised honesty.
It still sounded awful.
“Did you intend to let Mr. Carter crash if he refused?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because I had already requested emergency intervention.”
The court requested system records.
Time of emergency request:
9:28:14.
Time Samantha demanded transfer:
9:28:51.
Thirty-seven seconds later.
The request had already been made.
That saved her from the worst interpretation.
Not from extortion.
The judge said:
“Ms. Carter, exploiting a person’s belief that death is imminent is extraordinarily serious even if you did not create the danger.”
Samantha nodded.
“I understand.”
Derek’s face showed satisfaction.
Then Naomi asked him one question.
“Mr. Carter, why did Blackridge return exactly two million dollars within ninety seconds of Samantha’s demand?”
Derek answered:
“Because that account held liquid funds.”
“Why did it hold exactly the amount missing from Carter Performance?”
“Because it was Carter Performance money.”
There.
An admission.
Naomi smiled.
“Then why did you deny the company owned it yesterday?”
Derek’s face changed.
Only slightly.
His story had contradicted itself.
Then Howard Price stood from the back of the courtroom and quietly left.
May you like
Samantha watched him go.
For the first time, she wondered whether Howard already knew every answer Derek was trying to avoid.
