Boss called me to his office with human resources. «Mark, after 17 years, we’re eliminating your position…

Numbers I didn’t recognize. Likely board members’ assistants scrambling to reach me. I let them all go to voicemail.

At 9 a.m., the Emergency Finance Committee meeting would begin. Robert Chen would be there with my documentation in hand. Watching reactions as my email was discovered and discussed.

At 9.32, Stephen texted. Police are here. Wilcox and Daniel being questioned in conference rooms.

Phillips looking sick. What did you do? I didn’t respond. The wheels were turning exactly as I’d anticipated.

By 10 a.m., Meridian’s General Counsel called. Unlike the others, I answered this one. Mr. Wilson, this is Patricia Graves from Legal.

We need you to come in immediately to discuss information you’ve provided to the board. I’m available by phone, I replied. This really requires an in-person discussion.

No, it doesn’t, I interrupted calmly. Everything I know is in that report. Everything I have is already backed up in multiple secure locations.

If anything happens to me or my family, additional copies go to the SEC, IRS, and three news outlets. Silence. Mr. Wilson, she finally said, her voice carefully measured.

The board is taking this extremely seriously. They’ve already placed several executives on administrative leave pending investigation. They would appreciate your cooperation.

I’ve cooperated fully by providing complete documentation. My part is done. After she hung up, I drove to a diner 20 miles outside Columbus.

No sense being easily found today. Over lunch, news began breaking on local business sites. Meridian Technologies executives under investigation for financial irregularities.

No names yet, but that would come. At 2 p.m., Robert Chen called. It’s a bloodbath, he said without preamble.

Brian confessed once we confronted him with your evidence. Trying to cut a deal. Blaming Daniel for pressuring him.

Daniel’s denying everything. And Phillips? Claims he was just a consultant who had no knowledge of financial matters. Board isn’t buying it.

We’ve suspended all three pending further investigation. The money? Forensic accountants are coming in Monday. Early estimates suggest at least $4.5 million diverted over three years.

Maybe more. I nodded to myself. I’d been close.

The board wants to talk to you, Robert continued. About coming back, not just to your old position. They’re creating a new chief security officer role.

Reporting directly to the board. I’d anticipated this possibility but still found myself surprised. I’ll think about it, I said.

That evening I told Andrea everything. She listened without interrupting, then asked. What do you want to do? Good question.

The revenge part was complete. The people who’d pushed me out were themselves being pushed out. Likely facing criminal charges…