Mara’s voice snapped through the speaker.
“Wendell, the board is furious. Lawson wants an emergency vote.”
At the name, Wendell’s eyes narrowed.
“Elliot Lawson?”
“Yes. He says your absence is endangering the federal contract.”
Wendell looked at Mrs. Tate.
“Pull every archived file on the Georgia test site. Four years ago. Employee Caleb Tate. Cooling sensor incident. I want the unedited reports.”
There was silence on the line.
Then Mara said, carefully, “Wendell, I’ve seen that name.”
His stomach tightened.
“Where?”
“In a restricted folder. Lawson’s office requested it be sealed last year.”
Mrs. Tate heard enough. Her face hardened.
Wendell’s voice dropped.
“Send me everything.”
“I may not have authorization.”
“You have mine.”
“Lawson will know.”
“Good.”
He ended the call.
Jaylen stared at him, confusion and anger battling across his face.
“Who’s Lawson?”
“My chief operating officer,” Wendell said. “And maybe the man who buried the truth.”
