CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND ELEVEN – WHERE DOES THE TRAIL LEAD

And so began their unlikely alliance. Over the next few weeks, Karina and Miguel worked tirelessly, poring over financial records, tracing transactions, and piecing together the puzzle. They worked late into the night, often the only two left in the office. Their partnership was fraught with tension. There were heated arguments, moments of frustration, and times when they both questioned whether they could trust each other. But there were also moments of connection, shared laughs over late-night takeout, and a growing sense of mutual respect. As they delved deeper into the investigation, they began to notice a pattern. Many of the questionable transactions seemed to originate from or pass through one particular department: Operations, headed by Tom Reeves. "It can't be," Karina said, staring at the screen in disbelief. "Tom's been with the company for years. He's always been so supportive." Miguel leaned in, his brow furrowed. "Sometimes the ones closest to us are the ones who can