“I’m not here to protect myself from embarrassment,” I said. “I’m here because money was moved through companies that do not appear to perform legitimate work.”
Agent Ortiz studied me for a moment. Beside her, a younger investigator named Caleb Reed slid several printed spreadsheets across the table.
“We reviewed the files your attorney delivered yesterday,” he said. “You noticed patterns our audit team had not yet connected.”
The compliment brought no satisfaction.
The transfers began eighteen months earlier. Small amounts at first, disguised as consulting fees. Then larger payments appeared after Mercer Development won municipal contracts connected to Marcus Vale’s infrastructure group.
Vanessa’s brother, Adrian Cole, controlled three shell vendors receiving those payments.
Daniel approved every invoice.
“What did the photograph mean to you?” Ortiz asked.
I pictured the image again: Daniel and Vanessa leaving the Regent Hotel, Marcus Vale several steps behind them. Daniel’s hand rested against Vanessa’s back. Marcus was speaking into a phone, his expression tense.
