Chapter 6 - Daniel Was Not Innocent Either
Daniel selected subcontractor.
Against Richard’s recommendation.
Supplier:
AeroForge Components.
Daniel knew founder personally.
Michael did too.
Founder was Samuel Cross, their former engineering mentor.
Daniel trusted.
Early quality warnings appeared.
Daniel defended supplier for months.
Emails proved.
When material certificates discrepancy emerged, Daniel finally ordered hold.
So Richard’s accusation:
“Daniel created mess and left us with it.”
Grandfather answered:
“He died.”
“That doesn’t make his decisions perfect.”
True.
Again, no saint because dead.
Daniel delayed recognizing supplier risk.
Richard later delayed disclosure.
Different failures.
Michael admitted he had recommended Samuel Cross years earlier.
Shared responsibility.
Then independent engineering review launched immediately.
All 7C customers identified.
No need wait mystery.
Safety notice issued.
Regulators informed.
Acquisition history reopened.
Current company could survive transparency better than another concealment.
Grandfather told board:
“No family member controls review.”
Independent committee appointed.
Richard temporarily stepped aside from operations.
Eleanor had no current company role but historical communications reviewed.
Then Michael asked to see Noah.
Grandfather refused initially.
“Why?”
“Because you used him.”
“I gave him toy.”
“You gave him evidence knowing adults around him wanted it hidden.”
Michael looked ashamed.
“I thought Eleanor wouldn’t hurt him.”
“You didn’t know.”
Noah should never be courier.
Eventually supervised conversation allowed after Eleanor’s immediate access restricted pending child-safety investigation? We can say Grandfather contacted child-protection counsel, and Noah stayed temporarily with Grandfather under existing emergency family agreement/court? Need not overdo.
Eleanor was Noah’s mother.
Grandfather couldn’t simply take.
After incident witnessed and recorded by exterior cameras, authorities assessed.
Temporary safety plan placed Noah with Grandfather while investigation proceeded.
No instant permanent custody.
Richard’s relation?
He was Eleanor’s brother? We haven't defined. Need choose. Perhaps Richard is Eleanor’s current husband? Prompt only hostile man. Better establish now.
Richard was Eleanor’s older brother and Hale Aviation COO.
That makes him uncle to Noah, brother-in-law to Daniel.
Okay.
Richard had reached toward Noah because he wanted airplane/key before Grandfather noticed.
He admitted.
Not trying hurt child necessarily, but aggressive.
Then Grandfather asked Michael:
“Why did Daniel need you?”
Michael opened engineering notebook.
Daniel’s last handwritten entry:
7C IS NOT THE REAL PROBLEM.
Grandfather frowned.
Next:
CHECK PROJECT NORTHWIND — LOT 0.
Richard went pale again.
“Northwind never entered production.”
Michael:
“Exactly.”
Project Northwind was prototype fastener developed eighteen years earlier.
Before Daniel became CEO.
Before Michael left.
Designed by:
Grandfather himself.
He stared at page.
May you like
Now hidden audit pointed backward.
Toward his own decisions.
