Chapter 9 - THE FORTY-EIGHT MILLION DOLLAR LIE
“Forty-eight million dollars doesn't vanish by mistake,” forensic accountant Renee Foster said.
She spread the trust statements across Naomi's conference table. Marcus had set aside money for Lily long before the accident. His mother was permitted to approve living expenses as temporary guardian, not move the principal into her private businesses.
Yet the proposed transfer routed the money through four charitable-sounding organizations, all registered to the same mailing address. The address belonged to an empty office above a tire shop.
“Celeste signed the wire instructions,” Renee said. “Your mother countersigned them. Somebody also used a digital copy of your signature.”
“I didn't sign anything.”
“That's why we're preserving everything for the investigators.”
Marcus studied one account name: Harbor Light Children's Fund. A photograph attached to its website showed Lily smiling at a holiday party.
“They used her face.” His voice cracked.
Renee nodded. “And told donors they were supporting children orphaned by maritime disasters.”
Naomi's assistant interrupted. Detective Reyes was on the line. He had traced the surveillance photo sent to Marcus's phone. It came from a disposable device inside a fenced container yard near Galveston.
“State investigators are coordinating with local officers,” Reyes said. “Stay away from that yard.”
Marcus paced the room. “Gabriel kept me alive. I can't leave him there.”
“You can help by telling me who would know that location.”
Marcus looked again at the dock footage. Brent had carried a metal case with the same blue numbers that Gabriel mentioned.
He enlarged the frame. Under the numbers was a company logo he knew better than his own signature.
May you like
The case belonged to Sterling Harbor's private security division—run by Celeste.
