Chapter 4 - The Financial Reckoning
My father adjusted his military gloves and looked directly at Arthur Redmond Sr.
“Now, Mr. Redmond,” my father said, “let’s talk about your business.”
Arthur’s face drained of what little color he had left. “My... my logistics firm?”
“Redmond Global Logistics,” my father corrected him. “For the last five years, your firm has been surviving almost entirely on federal subcontracts awarded by the Department of Defense Logistics Agency.”
Arthur swallowed hard, nodding slowly. “Yes, sir. We... we manage civilian supply lines for military bases in the Southeast.”
“Subcontracts,” my father continued, “that require an annual security re-certification approved by the Defense Intelligence Directorate.”
My father pulled a single piece of paper from his pocket and laid it gently on the mahogany table.
“That re-certification was up for review this morning at 0800 hours,” my father said. “As former Senior Director of Defense Supply and current Special Advisor to the Pentagon, I submitted my formal assessment three hours ago.”
Janelle gasped. “You can’t do that! That’s abuse of power!”
“No, Mrs. Redmond,” my father replied smoothly. “It’s called risk assessment. A family that lacks basic moral integrity, demonstrates extreme hostility toward military personnel, and exhibits erratic, abusive public behavior poses a severe reputational liability to the United States Armed Forces.”
Arthur Redmond Sr. fell back into a leather chair, grabbing his chest. “My God... the contracts... that’s eighty percent of our revenue!”
“They are officially suspended pending a full federal ethics audit,” my father announced.
“Dad! Please!” Samuel ran into the middle of the room, dropping to his knees in front of my father. “Don't ruin my father’s company! It wasn't him! It was my mother! Please, think about our family!”
I stepped in front of Samuel. I looked down at the man I had married—the man who had watched his mother hand me cleaning supplies, an apron labeled Know Your Rank, and finally a pet collar for his newborn baby girl.
“Our family?” I asked, my voice cutting through his pleas like a razor. “You didn't care about our family when you let your mother treat our daughter like an animal.”
I reached into my bag and pulled out a manila envelope, tossing it onto the floor in front of Samuel’s knees.
“What is this?” Samuel whispered, his hands trembling as he picked it up.
“Divorce papers,” I said flatly. “Along with an Emergency Protective Order prohibiting you, your mother, and anyone associated with the Redmond family from coming within five hundred yards of Anya and me.”
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“Gwen, no!” Samuel wept, grabbing at my pant leg. “I love you! I’ll cut my mother off! I’ll never speak to her again! Just don't leave me!”
“You didn't cut her off when she humiliated me,” I said, stepping back so his hands fell empty onto the floor. “You only care now because your money is in danger.”
