Martin marched to the door, pulling it open with an arrogant scowl:
“What is this? If this is Daniel’s repair bill for the broken door, tell him to send it to his divorce attorney!”
The lead federal marshal did not smile.
He handed Martin the top box, stepped with forty-seven individually sealed white envelopes stamped with the raised red seal of the **DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY // SPECIAL ADMIRALTY CHANCERY**:
“Martin Collins?”
“Yes.”
“Official corporate delivery from the Office of the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Whitaker Construction & Infrastructure Holdings LLC.”
Martin frowned, his signet ring tapping against the cardboard:
“Whose office?! Daniel is a field supervisor! Who authorized this delivery?!”
“Open the letters, Mr. Collins,” the marshal said softly.
Martin ripped open the first envelope.
Gregory and Bradley crowded over his shoulders, while Linda and the aunts leaned forward from the dining room table.
Martin read the first page:
`NOTICE OF IMMEDIATE FOR-CAUSE TERMINATION`
`EMPLOYEE: MARTIN EDWARD COLLINS // ID #0012`
`POSITION: EXECUTIVE REGIONAL PROCUREMENT DIRECTOR`
`GROUNDS: GROSS FIDUCIARY DEFALCATION, COMMERCIAL BID-RIGGING,`
`AND PREMEDITATED SEDITIOUS CONSPIRACY UNDER TITLE 18.`
`AUTHORIZING OFFICER: DANIEL ARTHUR MERCER-WHITAKER // FOUNDER & SOLE CEO.`
The letter slipped from Martin’s paralyzed fingers, fluttering to the carpet:
*flutter-thud.*
Gregory ripped open the second letter:
`NOTICE OF IMMEDIATE FOR-CAUSE TERMINATION: GREGORY MARTIN COLLINS`
`GROUNDS: UNEXCUSED ABSENTEEISM, UN-AUTHORIZED FLEET FUEL THEFT,`
`AND CORPORATE RESOURCE EMBEZZLEMENT ($74,210.00).`
Bradley ripped open the third:
`NOTICE OF IMMEDIATE FOR-CAUSE TERMINATION: BRADLEY COLLINS`
`GROUNDS: UN-AUTHORIZED DISPOSAL OF HEAVY EXCAVATION EQUIPMENT ($140,000.00)`
`AND RECKLESS FALSIFICATION OF REGIONAL ELECTRICAL SAFETY CODES.`
One by one, thirty-two envelopes were torn open in the foyer.
Aunt Susan’s catering salary: *Terminated.*
Cousin Kevin’s warehouse stipend: *Terminated.*
Nephew Brian’s fleet car allowance: *Revoked.*
Martin Collins’s face did not merely pale; his capillaries collapsed inward in an instant, structural failure that left his skin the exact, mottled shade of curdled skim milk:
