News of the investigation reached Millerton within forty-eight hours.
The local newspaper published a photograph of Miller's Family Diner beneath a headline questioning the management of its charitable trust.
Former employees began contacting Jonathan Harrison.
Some complained about unpaid wages.
Others described missing retirement contributions and sudden dismissals after reporting workplace problems.
Emily recognized several names.
One belonged to Nancy Reynolds, a former waitress who had disappeared from the schedule after questioning deductions from her paycheck.
Another belonged to a cook named Samuel Ortiz, who had worked at the diner for twelve years before leaving without explanation.
Jonathan arranged interviews.
Meanwhile, Frank hired his own attorney and issued a public statement claiming that disgruntled former employees were attempting to damage his family's reputation.
He denied any knowledge of improper fund transfers.
But the documents suggested his involvement had begun years before he inherited management duties.
Emily returned to the diner with Jonathan to collect her personal belongings.
The building looked different in daylight.
The red booths were still there. The coffee machine hissed behind the counter. A faded photograph of the original restaurant hung beside the entrance.
But Frank's office was locked.
Jonathan showed the temporary administrator a copy of the trustees' notice.
After reviewing it, the administrator allowed Emily to retrieve her belongings.
In the staff room, Emily found a cardboard box containing her sweater, an old birthday card, and a photograph of her coworkers.
She was about to leave when Samuel Ortiz stepped through the kitchen door.
He had heard she was there.
"Emily, I need to show you something."
He handed her a small notebook filled with handwritten dates.
For years, Samuel had recorded cash payments Frank demanded employees make whenever they broke dishes or accidentally served unpaid meals.
The amounts seemed small individually.
Together, they formed a pattern.
"He told us it was company policy," Samuel said.
Emily remembered the money Frank had taken from her that snowy evening.
"Why didn't anyone report him?"
Samuel looked ashamed.
"Because we needed our jobs."
Emily opened the notebook.
Several entries included initials identifying employees.
One page contained the name of a worker who had died three years earlier.
Beside it was a deduction recorded two weeks after his death.
Emily looked up.
"How could Frank charge someone who wasn't alive?"
Samuel's expression darkened.
"That's what I hoped you could help me find out."