Chapter 8 - THE SALE THAT COULD NOT WAIT
Wade advanced the sale vote by three weeks.
He claimed public scandal was destroying value and employees needed certainty. The buyer, Meridian Transit Partners, promised to preserve jobs and expand the veterans’ charity.
Hidden in the agreement was a release protecting current executives from claims related to historical freight operations.
Arthur presented Michael’s video to the Founders Trust. Wade called it coerced, incomplete, and illegally obtained. Because Michael’s current location was unknown, no one could authenticate his mental condition or cross-examine him.
The trust maintained the sixty-day delay but refused to stop the sale permanently.
Wade counterattacked Thomas. He produced original transfer orders bearing Thomas’s signature and a private account that received six hundred thousand dollars after the fire.
Thomas denied knowing about the account.
The bank’s identification documents carried his genuine fingerprint.
Federal prosecutors warned Arthur that Thomas might be both witness and participant. The marshals ended informal protection until he made a complete proffer.
Thomas admitted one more secret. Before the fire, he accepted fifty thousand dollars from Wade to falsify a vendor review. He intended to repay it and expose the larger scheme later.
“Later,” Arthur said. “That word has buried half our families.”
Thomas lowered his eyes.
Rex overheard and nearly struck him. Arthur stepped between them despite his damaged leg.
“He doesn’t get to turn your anger into another excuse,” Arthur said.
Rex left.
Meridian approached him privately. Its representatives offered two million dollars for Michael’s patch and any locker materials, calling them collectible intellectual property.
Rex recorded the offer on his phone.
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Before he could deliver it to prosecutors, one of his five biker friends, Dean Morris, stole the device and fled.
Dean had been reporting to Wade since the diner.
