Chapter 2: The Name on the Contract
“Excuse me?””
Richard finally found his voice.
I slipped my phone back into my coat pocket.
“You heard me.””
He glanced toward Grant, then at the executives gathered behind him.
“Who did you speak to?””
“My legal representative.””
Grant stepped forward.
“Listen, ma'am. Whatever misunderstanding brought you here, this is a private commercial facility. You can't simply walk in and start interfering with a transaction.””
I looked at him.
“Interfering?””
“Yes.””
“Interesting choice of words.””
Richard adjusted his cufflinks.
“I'm going to give you one opportunity to explain yourself before I call security.””
I almost smiled.
“Please do.””
He stared at me.
“You think this is funny?””
“No. I think it's revealing.””
I walked toward the reception desk.
A young woman sat behind it, nervously watching the confrontation. Her name badge read EMILY.
“Could I borrow your printer?”” I asked.
She looked at Richard.
He gave her a sharp shake of his head.
“Do not assist her.””
Emily lowered her eyes.
I took a business card from my handbag and placed it on the counter.
“Please call the number printed on the back. Tell them the buyer is here.””
Richard laughed.
“The buyer?””
Grant folded his arms.
“That's enough. We're not playing games.””
I turned toward the aircraft.
“Then perhaps you should read the paperwork attached to it.””
Richard's expression hardened.
“You don't have access to our confidential documents.””
“Actually, I do.””
I opened my handbag and removed a thin black folder.
Inside were copies of the purchase agreement, ownership structure, financing authorization, and the final transfer instructions.
I placed them on the reception counter.
Richard didn't move.
“What's this supposed to prove?””
“Page four,” I said.
“Paragraph seven.””
Grant picked up the folder.
His eyes moved across the first page.
Then the second.
His eyebrows tightened.
He turned to the signature section.
“Richard?””
Richard snatched the document from him.
“What?””
Grant pointed at the bottom of the page.
“Look at the purchasing entity.””
Richard read the name.
Then read it again.
His fingers tightened around the paper.
I watched the color leave his face.
The purchasing company was called Sterling Aviation Holdings.
It was a subsidiary of my private investment group.
And the final beneficial owner was listed clearly beneath the corporate structure.
My name.
Evelyn Carter.
Founder and majority shareholder of Carter Global Holdings.
The company whose aviation portfolio alone was worth several billion dollars.
Richard looked up.
“Evelyn Carter?””
“Yes.””
He swallowed.
“I wasn't informed you were coming.””
“That is correct.””
“You should have arranged an appointment.””
“I did.””
He blinked.
I pointed toward the small gold plaque beside the reception desk.
“Your assistant confirmed my appointment yesterday. Nine-thirty. Private aircraft inspection. Final delivery review.””
Emily looked up.
“I sent the confirmation myself,” she whispered.
Richard turned toward her.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
Emily looked frightened.
“I did. Twice.””
Grant suddenly became very interested in the floor.
I took out my phone again.
“Would you like to see the confirmation email?””
Richard didn't answer.
Instead, he looked at the jet.
Then at the documents.
Then back at me.
His voice became noticeably softer.
“Ms. Carter, perhaps we should move this conversation into my office.””
“Why?””
“Because there has clearly been a misunderstanding.””
I tilted my head.
“Was there a misunderstanding when you said I couldn't afford to look at the aircraft?””
His jaw tightened.
“I didn't know who you were.””
“Exactly.””
I let the silence sit between us.
Then I continued.
“You assumed I couldn't afford it because of how I looked. You assumed I didn't belong because I wasn't accompanied by a man in a navy suit. You decided I was unimportant before asking my name.””
Richard tried to interrupt.
“Ms. Carter, I assure you—”
“No. Let me finish.””
He stopped.
“I have spent six months working with your company. I approved the interior. I approved the engineering changes.
I approved the additional security features. I signed the purchase authorization.””
I tapped the folder.
“And today, I came here to approve the final delivery.””
Grant shifted uncomfortably.
Richard looked at the contract again.
“Then perhaps we can resolve this professionally.””
I reached for the documents.
“Professionally?””
“Yes. We can arrange a private inspection immediately.””
“Not anymore.””
His face changed.
“What do you mean?””
“The transfer has been suspended.””
He glanced at Grant.
“Why?””
I opened the final page of the agreement.
“Because this aircraft was supposed to be delivered with a complete operational certification package, an approved maintenance schedule, and an independent security audit.””
Richard nodded quickly.
“Yes. All of that is standard.””
“Then you won't mind explaining why the audit report is missing.””
He went still.
Grant looked at him.
“What audit report?””
I pulled out another sheet.
“Or why the maintenance records contain an unexplained discrepancy.””
Richard's expression had changed completely.
For the first time, he wasn't looking at my clothes.
He was looking at the paperwork.
And he knew something was wrong.
“Where did you get that?”” he asked.
“From your own records.””
“That document is confidential.””
“It's part of the delivery package.””
He reached for it.
I moved it away.
“Don't.””
His hand stopped.
I looked directly into his eyes.
“Richard, I came here prepared to buy an aircraft. I did not come here to buy a problem.””
He leaned closer.
“Ms. Carter, there are matters you may not fully understand.””
“Then explain them.””
He glanced at Grant.
Neither man spoke.
I closed the folder.
“Fine. I'll give you until noon.””
Richard frowned.
“Until noon for what?””
“To produce the missing documents, explain the discrepancies, and identify everyone who authorized the final inspection.””
He looked at his watch.
“That's impossible.””
“Then the cancellation stands.””
I turned toward the exit.
Behind me, Richard finally raised his voice.
“Wait!””
I stopped.
He lowered his voice.
“There is something you need to know about that aircraft.””
I turned around.
“What?””
Richard looked toward the private jet.
Then he said something that made my stomach tighten.
“The maintenance discrepancy isn't the biggest problem.””
May you like
He glanced at Grant.
“It's what's inside the aircraft.””
