Chapter 7 - Robert Carter Was Afraid of an Audit

Carter Construction was negotiating a major credit facility.

Approximately $180 million.

Several banks involved.

The company was not secretly bankrupt.

It was large.

Profitable.

And highly leveraged because of aggressive expansion.

The financing required updated representations regarding related-party transactions and material litigation.

An internal audit had already flagged payments to Lakeview Project Controls.

Robert wanted the issue resolved before lenders received final schedules.

Vanessa’s company sat directly inside that problem.

Ryan explained:

“If Lakeview invoices are improper, they may need adjustments, disclosures, maybe repayment. Depends what actually happened.”

“And Ethan?”

“Authorized some invoices.”

My husband was not merely sleeping with the vendor.

He had approved payments to her company.

That created a conflict he had not disclosed properly.

Potentially more.

Then I remembered why I had taken screenshots three weeks earlier.

Ethan left his tablet open.

A message from Robert read:

EMILY CANNOT START ASKING QUESTIONS NOW.

At the time I assumed it referred to the affair.

Maybe it didn’t.

Another:

GET YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER BEFORE CREDIT COMMITTEE.

And Patricia:

IF SHE WANTS OUT, GIVE HER SOMETHING AND GET THE RELEASE.

I had interpreted “house” as marriage.

Ryan looked at the messages.

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