“Communications recovered from secure servers link the diversions to accounts controlled by shell entities tied directly to the CEO and others identified in this memo’s portfolio. This includes transactions processed through subsidiaries in Venezuela, the UAE, and the Cayman Islands. There wasn’t enough time to search further.”
She let that hang for a breath, then changed the slide to a single sentence in bold black text.
Immediate Corrective Action Required.
“This convoy was interceptedby Guardian Security, supported by the Burundu SRF team you see behind me. The diverted drums have been recovered. All evidence has been documented and secured. I am submitting the full data packet to the board for independent verification. You have the opportunity to demonstrate to shareholders, regulators, and the international market that this companytakes immediate and decisive action when faced with internal corruption. As you can see, the FBI was alerted, and I am being told they are in the process of arresting all the personnel involved who are located in the United States.”
Her gaze swept the faces staring back at her on the screen before landing on her father. Her heart broke at the hatred she saw on his face. She swallowed hard. “I recommend the immediate removal of the current CEO and the implementation of an emergency compliance review of all executive-level approvals tied to international shipments.”
Her father flew from his chair, screaming at her. The FBI was faster than her dad. They slammed him on the conference room table and handcuffed him in seconds. One of the agent’s pulled him off and turned him toward the door. “Harlan Shoemaker, you have the right to remain silent.”
Her father twisted toward her and screamed obscenities as he was led from the boardroom. For a moment, the only sound in the room was the shuffle of papers, then the chairwoman of the board looked up.
“Motion to remove the CEO from his position,” she said. “Effective immediately.”
Hands went up around the table. One by one. There were no dissenting votes.
“Motion carries,” the chairwoman confirmed then turned back to Riley’s image. “Miss Shoemaker, the board is prepared to offer you the role of interim CEO until a permanent appointment is made.”
Riley took a steady breath. “I appreciate the confidence, but I have to decline. My work as ESG officer allows me to operate where the environmental and human impact is most immediate. That is where I am most effective and where I choose to remain.”
The chairwoman studied her for a moment, then nodded. “Your choice is noted. We thank you for your work.”
The feed cut.
The hum of the connection died, leaving only the faint static of the desert wind outside. Riley closed the laptop, exhaling slowly.
Talon leaned on the table she’d been using as the SRF filed out of the room. When the door closed behind the last one, he smiled sadly. “You just took down your father on live video.”
“I didn’t take him down,” she said, rubbing the tension from her neck. “The evidence did. I just … delivered it.”
CHAPTER 24
The desert evening stretched endlessly in all directions, painted in shades of amber and deep purple that seemed to fade into the starry sky. The usual noise of the compound had fallen silent, no diesel engines rumbling to life in the motor pool, no shouted commands or rattling equipment that normally marked the transition from day to night operations. There was just the low, hypnotic thrum of the backup generator and the distant chorus of night insects beginning their ancient ritual, a sound that seemed to rise from the desert floor itself.
Riley sat on the low concrete wall that marked the eastern perimeter of the mining site. Her laptop was finally closed, her phone turned to silent. Theweight of the board meeting still pressed against her ribs in an uncomfortable reminder of the morning. That was why she couldn’t stay in the office building. The looks and questions were nonstop. Instead, she’d sought out shade and isolation. For just a moment, she didn’t want to be where anyone could find her. The site had been closed for the duration of the investigation. This afternoon, she was asked to help transition new leadership and work with the local government to repair its trust in the company. The aftermath of victory felt less like triumph and more like exhaustion. She was also asked to continue the investigation she’d begun and was given IT support and a staff to help her compile the information. The day had been fast-moving, exhausting, and an emotional rollercoaster.
The CEO was gone. Her father was finished. His empire was crumbling under the weight of the evidence she had delivered to the board. The criminal conspiracy was exposed, and its players were probably facing decades in federal prison. Her name was cleared, her professional reputation not just intact but enhanced by her role in bringing down one of the largest, rare earth mineral trafficking operations in corporate history. She rolled her eyes. At least that was what the pending press releaseshe’d been asked to review had said. She red-lined that portion as soon as she read it. She didn’t want notoriety.
She should have felt lighter. Should have felt the kind of relief that came with doing what was right.
Instead, she felt strangely untethered, as if removing her father from her life had cut away some anchor that had kept her grounded. Even when she'd hated everything he represented.
What now?She stared out at the desert landscape.Who am I when I'm not fighting to prove I deserve to exist in his world?
The sound of footsteps in the loose gravel pulled her from her thoughts. The approach was deliberate but unhurried, and she didn't have to look up to know it was Talon. His footsteps had become as familiar to her as her own.
He came to stand beside her, not immediately sitting or invading her space, just establishing his presence. The familiar scent of him drifted over her. Dust and a faint sulfur smell, which he’d told her was from weapons fire. It was mixed with something that was purely him—clean, masculine, and reassuring.
His presence felt as physical as the concrete wall beneath her. For the first time since the boardmeeting ended, Riley felt something in her chest begin to loosen.
"You handled today well. Very well," he said quietly, his voice carrying the kind of professional admiration that meant more coming from him than it could from anyone else.
“It didn’t feel like it.” She shook her head and sighed.
"Twelve board members, federal-level evidence, career-ending accusations, and you never lost control for a second."
Riley gave a small, tired laugh that held more exhaustion than humor. "I almost did. When he …” She looked out at the horizon and swallowed hard. “In reality, I handled it like someone who didn't have time to overthink what I was doing. If I’d been given a couple of days to really process what I was about to say, I might have lost my nerve. But finding yellowcake being smuggled just a few hours before the briefing … How could I not follow through?"
