Free Shattered Legacy by Shane R. Daley Page A

you’re both here, I’ll tell you now that I've decided to conduct an internal investigation on our procurement practices, before we’re slapped with more subpoenas.”
    Ramona frowned. “What’s there to investigate?”
    “Yeah,” Jackson added. “I’ll give you everything you want.”
    “I know,” Tyler said, moving behind his desk. “For now, though, I have three reasons for conducting an official internal investigation. The first reason is to minimize interference with the normal operations of the business. The second reason is to minimize cash expenditures on outside counsel. The third reason is to get to the bottom of all this before anyone else does.”
    Ramona considered that for a moment. “All right. Start whenever you’re ready.”
    “It’s already begun.” Tyler opened his desk drawer and removed two envelopes. He walked over and handed one to Ramona and the other to Jackson.
    “Ramona, this memorandum directs me to conduct a confidential investigation on behalf of the corporation. It stresses the need for confidentiality and directs my department to use any other departments or personnel that we feel are necessary.”
    “Understood,” she said, scanning her copy of the memo.
    “And that's where you come in, Jacob. During this investigation, you are to report to me directly.”
    “And myself,” Ramona added, looking up.
    “Actually, no,” Tyler corrected her as he sat down. “Everything goes through me. The reason we don't go through the regular chain of command is so there will be no doubt about whether the attorney-client privilege was intended during any communication. I also want any of the documents generated during the investigation to be clearly labeled as 'privileged and confidential'. That will also help maintain our work-product privileges.”
    “Do they teach you all this stuff in law school?” Jackson asked with a tight grin.
    Tyler smiled back. “You'd be surprised how little real-world law they teach you in law school.” Then he became serious again. “I’ll get you written instructions outlining exactly what we will require from your department.”
    Jackson nodded slowly. “Just like the old days, eh, Samson?”
    It was almost three years ago that the Securities and Exchange Commission launched a massive investigation into the financing of Templar's initial public offering. Samson Tyler had just been hired on as counsel. He had done some litigation work for a small firm after graduating law school, but he had never been involved in a major government lawsuit.
    Tyler helped the company throw up legal roadblocks to fight the SEC to a standstill. After half a year of legal wrangling, Templar managed to get the agency to drop its investigation for lack of evidence. Many people at the time credited his performance for saving the company.
    Tyler didn't appreciate the reference to the time when the SEC was at the company's throat. It was a rough time for everyone, and he hadn't yet reached that 'one day you'll laugh about it' point. He doubted that he ever would.
    “We’ll begin our interviews with the employees over the next few days,” he told the others. “From here on in, consider the investigation to be active.”
    Jackson pushed himself from the couch and stood.
    “There's one last thing I want to mention,” Tyler added as Jackson headed for the door. “You'll be hearing this a lot, but I want to tell you now that any employee, including the two of you, has the right to consult with an attorney prior to and during every interview. I want to remind you that my department and I work for the company . Any information you provide may or may not be disclosed to other management or government authorities. Are we clear on that?”
    Jackson turned around, clutching his cigar stub between his thumb and index finger. “Are you saying I should crank up the shredder sooner rather than later?”
    “Was that a joke, Jacob?”
    “Yes, Samson, it was a joke. Relax, kid.