Chapter 15 - The Account That Never Belonged to Her
The transfer was for $840,000. It had been initiated from a company account linked to Victor's nonprofit contractors and routed toward an overseas entity whose beneficial owner was hidden behind layers of paperwork. Celia had expected the money to clear after our wedding reception, using false invoices marked as family consulting fees.
The account wasn't June's trust. That mattered. Vera's safeguards had worked. But the attempt showed how confident Victor had become that his scheme would go unnoticed.
I sat with Rebecca and a financial investigator while she explained which records they had obtained and what still needed verification. The central accusation was straightforward: Wren Harbor contractors billed for services that may never have been provided, then moved the money through related businesses. Hannah had found part of the pattern years earlier.
"Did any of this cause my wife's death?" I asked.
The investigator shook her head. "We haven't found evidence that it did. We are examining financial crimes and witness intimidation. We won't guess beyond the facts."
It wasn't the dramatic answer grief wanted. It was the truthful one, and I owed Hannah that much.
Outside the building, Celia waited beside a black SUV. Rebecca urged me toward our car, but Celia called my name.
"You think Tessa's telling the truth?" she said. "She's been blackmailing my father for years."
"I'm not discussing this with you. Stay away from June."
Celia's eyes filled with tears so abruptly that I almost recognized the woman I'd loved. Then she lowered her voice.
"I know about Hannah's letter. You really want June to read everything her mother wrote?"
A chill moved down my spine.
May you like
"What does that mean?"
Celia smiled without warmth. "Ask Vera what Hannah was afraid you'd find out."
