James POV
Patricia Brooks had worked for me for four years.
She'd come recommended by two people I respected, arrived on her first day with a system already in place, and proceeded to make herself indispensable in the particular way that very good people do; quietly, consistently, without ever making you feel managed even when she was absolutely managing you.
I had never once questioned her.
The realization of that sat in my chest like something cold.
Every hire, and every contract that came across my desk got scrutinized from three angles before I signed anything.
Everyone except the people I saw every day.
"The Singapore draft," I said to Marcus, "Who had access to it?"
"Formally? You, me, Patricia, and the external counsel on the partnership," He set his keys on the counter, "I
