Chapter 9 - The Money Trail
Imogen Park didn't believe in coincidences when financial records could explain them.
She also didn't believe in accusations unsupported by documents.
For nearly two weeks, her team examined the foundation's approved payments, vendor agreements, accounting permissions, and construction reports.
What emerged was a pattern.
Summit Bridge Advisory billed the foundation for work it had not performed.
Several invoices described services that duplicated work supposedly completed by other contractors.
In some cases, the named properties hadn't even received the required permits.
Vanessa had authorized the payments.
That fact alone didn't prove she received the money.
But the records showed that Claire had begun questioning the invoices weeks before her death.
She placed a temporary hold on several payments.
Vanessa overrode one hold under emergency authority.
Another payment was approved using Claire's account credentials after her death.
Adrian stared at the authorization date.
“Claire was already dead.”
Imogen nodded.
“That's why this transaction is particularly concerning.”
“Someone pretended to be her?”
“Someone used credentials assigned to her. We still need to establish who.”
Adrian rubbed his forehead.
“Can we trace the money?”
“We're working with counsel and the relevant authorities. The bank records that would establish ultimate recipients require proper access. We're not going to speculate.”
Adrian looked down at the reports.
He remembered Vanessa describing Claire as overly suspicious of the foundation staff.
He remembered comforting Vanessa when she said Claire's accusations had hurt her.
He had comforted the woman now suspected of exploiting the charity his wife founded.
“What do you need from me?” he asked.
“Permission to continue the audit and a commitment not to interfere with it.”
“You have both.”
Imogen hesitated.
“There's another issue.”
She showed him an internal memorandum.
Vanessa had proposed transferring control of the housing initiative to a new management company.
The company would have received a substantial annual fee.
Adrian had approved the proposal in principle shortly after Claire's funeral.
He stared at his own signature.
“I didn't review this.”
“You signed it.”
“Vanessa told me the program couldn't function without new management.”
Imogen said nothing.
Adrian looked at her.
“How much damage did I do?”
“We don't know the full amount yet.”
“That isn't what I asked.”
Imogen closed the folder.
“Your signature made the proposed arrangement possible. But discovering that doesn't mean your next decision has to repeat the mistake.”
Outside the conference room, Adrian's assistant told him Elena Brooks had called again.
The family placement team had found her temporary accommodation in a verified transitional housing program.
But there were still dozens of families waiting for promised apartments.
Adrian authorized a ring-fenced emergency budget with independent oversight.
He also asked the foundation board to appoint a temporary director without ties to Vanessa.
For the first time in months, something Claire had fought for began moving forward.
That evening, Imogen sent a preliminary findings summary to the investigators and the foundation's independent counsel.
She included a note about the payment approved after Claire's death.
Its digital audit trail showed access from a workstation at the estate.
May you like
A workstation used by senior household staff.
And the access occurred while Vanessa had been staying in Adrian's guest suite.
