Chapter 7 - THE OTHER PURPLE STARSRory’s work log became famous inside the investigation.
Vincent hated that.
People called it:
“The purple-star sheet.”
Leah objected.
“My daughter isn’t evidence branding.”
Vincent agreed.
No photographs released.
No media.
No campaign.
Just records.
But internally, the stars changed people.
One investigator asked Leah what each represented.
She resisted.
Then agreed because hardship documentation could support damages.
Star one:
Leah had $4.12.
Rory ate dry cereal.
Leah drank water.
Star two:
A neighbor brought two bananas.
Star three:
Leah worked a double shift and brought home leftover bread after asking permission.
Star four:
They split instant noodles.
Star five:
Rory ate at daycare.
Leah skipped dinner.
Star six:
A church pantry box.
Star seven:
No food until breakfast.
Vincent stopped reading.
He pushed the report away.
One of his men, standing nearby, said nothing.
Vincent asked:
“What?”
The man hesitated.
“You want me to say something?”
“No.”
“Then nothing.”
Vincent respected that.
He picked the report back up.
Nine stars.
Not starvation.
Not melodrama.
Leah made sure Rory ate whenever she could.
The child remained healthy.
But food insecurity had entered their home because wages already earned stayed inside someone else’s system.
That distinction mattered.
Rory was not a tragic child rescued from poverty by a rich man.
Her mother worked.
A lot.
She was simply not paid.
Vincent said:
“That’s worse.”
His attorney looked up.
“What?”
“She did everything people tell poor people to do.”
“Worked.”
“Tracked hours.”
“Asked.”
“Waited.”
“And still couldn’t buy dinner.”
Celeste nodded.
“That is why wage laws exist.”
Vincent stared at the number.
$5,430.30.
Less than the cost of his watch.
He looked at the gold watch on his wrist.
For a second it disgusted him.
Then he caught himself.
The watch was not the crime.
David’s Porsche was not the crime.
Wealth was not evidence.
The crime was taking money people had earned.
Symbols were emotionally useful but facts mattered.
He kept the watch on.
Then authorized a complete payroll audit across all Kane Hospitality properties.
Twenty-seven restaurants.
Three clubs.
Two event venues.
His CFO objected.
“Cost?”
Vincent answered:
“Unknown.”
“That’s not helpful.”
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“Neither is discovering a four-year pattern through a preschooler.”
Audit approved.
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