Chapter 14: The Woman Who Open## Chapter 14: The Woman Who Opened the Account
Eleanor readed the Account
Eleanor read the anonymous message three times before placing the anonymous message three times before placing my phone face down on the table.
“We my phone face down on the table.
“We're not going to build a case around anonymous texts,” she said.
“But we can use're not going to build a case around anonymous texts,” she said.
“But we can use them to identify questions that the records should answer.””
My father was still staring at the handwritten note.
“The account them to identify questions that the records should answer.””
My father was still staring at the handwritten note.
“The account was opened before I invested,” he murmured.
“If that's true, then was opened before I invested,” he murmured.
“If that's true, then someone planned this before Daniel ever received someone planned this before Daniel ever received the money.””
“Or the message is deliberately misleading,” Eleanor replied.
“We need the money.””
“Or the message is deliberately misleading,” Eleanor replied.
“We need the account-opening records.””
She contacted the bank's legal team again. Because the account-opening records.””
She contacted the bank's legal team again. Because the account involved a disputed transaction and potentially fraudulent authorization, the bank would need to the account involved a disputed transaction and potentially fraudulent authorization, the bank would need to follow its formal review process before disclosing the account holder's information.
We follow its formal review process before disclosing the account holder's information.
We spent the next morning organizing everything we had: the original investment agreement, the suspicious payment spent the next morning organizing everything we had: the original investment agreement, the suspicious payment entries, the proposed property transfer, and the disputed marital property entries, the proposed property transfer, and the disputed marital property agreement.
Every document seemed to lead back to Daniel.
But Vanessa's signature on agreement.
Every document seemed to lead back to Daniel.
But Vanessa's signature on the approval sheet troubled me.
If she had knowingly helped move the investment, why the approval sheet troubled me.
If she had knowingly helped move the investment, why had she kept records that might expose her? And if Daniel had threatened her into had she kept records that might expose her? And if Daniel had threatened her into participating, what exactly had he threatened to reveal?
At participating, what exactly had he threatened to reveal?
At eleven, Eleanor received a call from Patricia.
The company's external eleven, Eleanor received a call from Patricia.
The company's external accountant had located an archived bank reconciliation. It showed that the first payment had accountant had located an archived bank reconciliation. It showed that the first payment had been sent to an account whose beneficiary name matched my father's.
However, been sent to an account whose beneficiary name matched my father's.
However, the account number did not match any account Richard had ever held.
The payment had been returned three the account number did not match any account Richard had ever held.
The payment had been returned three business days later.
The second transfer, recorded as a consulting fee, had gone to Harbor business days later.
The second transfer, recorded as a consulting fee, had gone to Harbor Crest Advisory.
That payment had cleared.
“So the first Crest Advisory.
That payment had cleared.
“So the first transfer may have been designed to make it look as though my father received the money,” I said.
“That's a transfer may have been designed to make it look as though my father received the money,” I said.
“That's a reasonable possibility,” Eleanor replied.
“The second transfer is more significant because it appears reasonable possibility,” Eleanor replied.
“The second transfer is more significant because it appears to have completed. But we still need the destination account's ownership and the underlying to have completed. But we still need the destination account's ownership and the underlying authorization.””
My father looked exhausted.
“I trusted Daniel with my company.””
authorization.””
My father looked exhausted.
“I trusted Daniel with my company.””
“You trusted him with an investment,” Eleanor said gently.
“That doesn't mean you authorized“You trusted him with an investment,” Eleanor said gently.
“That doesn't mean you authorized him to move money wherever he wanted.””
He nodded, him to move money wherever he wanted.””
He nodded, though he seemed unable to accept the distinction.
At noon, Patricia's attorney arranged though he seemed unable to accept the distinction.
At noon, Patricia's attorney arranged for her to provide a formal statement and deliver preserved records to the for her to provide a formal statement and deliver preserved records to the appropriate investigators. She had also found an email thread concerning Harbor Crest appropriate investigators. She had also found an email thread concerning Harbor Crest Advisory.
One message had been sent from Daniel's company Advisory.
One message had been sent from Daniel's company account to Vanessa.
*Once the funds clear, close account to Vanessa.
Once the funds clear, close the old arrangement. We cannot leave both accounts connected the old arrangement. We cannot leave both accounts connected.
Vanessa's response was brief.
You said no.
Vanessa's response was brief.
You said no one would be able to trace it back to us.
Daniel had replied:
They one would be able to trace it back to us.
Daniel had replied:
They won't if you follow the plan.
I read the exchange in silence.
It didn't establish every detail of what had happened, but it made one thing clear: the transfer had not been an ordinary accounting adjustment.
Eleanor forwarded the material to the investigators handling the financial won't if you follow the plan.*
I read the exchange in silence.
It didn't establish every detail of what had happened, but it made one thing clear: the transfer had not been an ordinary accounting adjustment.
Eleanor forwarded the material to the investigators handling the financial complaint.
Then she called Vanessa's attorney.
By late afternoon, Vanessa agreed to meet us in a neutral complaint.
Then she called Vanessa's attorney.
By late afternoon, Vanessa agreed to meet us in a neutral conference room with her lawyer present. She arrived wearing sunglasses despite the gray weather conference room with her lawyer present. She arrived wearing sunglasses despite the gray weather, her face pale and swollen from crying.
She didn't look like, her face pale and swollen from crying.
She didn't look like the woman who had laughed at the restaurant while Daniel humiliated me.
She looked frightened.
Eleanor began the woman who had laughed at the restaurant while Daniel humiliated me.
She looked frightened.
Eleanor began carefully.
“We've seen the payment records and the correspondence. Vanessa, we're giving you an opportunity to carefully.
“We've seen the payment records and the correspondence. Vanessa, we're giving you an opportunity to explain your involvement in the transactions. You should answer truth explain your involvement in the transactions. You should answer truthfully and consult your attorney before addressing anything that could expose you to legal consequences.””
Vanessa removed her sunglasses.
“Ifully and consult your attorney before addressing anything that could expose you to legal consequences.””
Vanessa removed her sunglasses.
“I know.””
I sat across from her.
“Why did you help him know.””
I sat across from her.
“Why did you help him?””
She looked at me, then away.
“Because I thought he was saving the company.””
“By using my financial information?””
“He said the investment?””
She looked at me, then away.
“Because I thought he was saving the company.””
“By using my financial information?””
“He said the investment agreement allowed it.””
“It didn't.””
“I know agreement allowed it.””
“It didn't.””
“I know that now.””
“You signed an approval sheet.””
Her eyes filled with tears.
“ that now.””
“You signed an approval sheet.””
Her eyes filled with tears.
“Daniel told me the money was being moved temporarily to protect the businessDaniel told me the money was being moved temporarily to protect the business from a lender who was trying to take control. He said your father had agreed to the arrangement.””
“My father never agreed.””
from a lender who was trying to take control. He said your father had agreed to the arrangement.””
“My father never agreed.””
“I believed him.””
“You believed him when“I believed him.””
“You believed him when he said I had signed the property agreement, too?””
he said I had signed the property agreement, too?””
She pressed her lips together.
“I didn't ask enough questionsShe pressed her lips together.
“I didn't ask enough questions.””
It was the closest thing to an honest answer I had heard from anyone in Daniel's.””
It was the closest thing to an honest answer I had heard from anyone in Daniel's family.
I leaned forward.
“Why Harbor Crest?””
Vanessa looked toward her attorney, family.
I leaned forward.
“Why Harbor Crest?””
Vanessa looked toward her attorney, who gave a small nod indicating that she could continue after considering who gave a small nod indicating that she could continue after considering the question.
“Daniel helped me establish the company. He said it would be an the question.
“Daniel helped me establish the company. He said it would be an investment vehicle. At first, it only held a small amount of money.
investment vehicle. At first, it only held a small amount of money. Later, he began routing consulting payments through it.””
“Did you know Later, he began routing consulting payments through it.””
“Did you know those payments came from my father's investment?””
“Not at first.””
“When did you find out?””
“After the first large payment.””
those payments came from my father's investment?””
“Not at first.””
“When did you find out?””
“After the first large payment.””
“Then why didn't you return it?””
“Daniel said the money had already been committed“Then why didn't you return it?””
“Daniel said the money had already been committed to business expenses. He told me if I returned it, the company would to business expenses. He told me if I returned it, the company would collapse and everyone would blame me.””
I studied her face.
“You were willing collapse and everyone would blame me.””
I studied her face.
“You were willing to let me lose my home to protect yourself.””
She began crying to let me lose my home to protect yourself.””
She began crying again.
“Yes.””
The admission was so direct that again.
“Yes.””
The admission was so direct that I couldn't find an immediate response.
Vanessa wiped her cheeks.
“I kept the I couldn't find an immediate response.
Vanessa wiped her cheeks.
“I kept the messages because I became afraid. Daniel started telling me that if the messages because I became afraid. Daniel started telling me that if the company failed, he'd say I had created the accounts and moved the money myself.
He said he had documents proving I was responsible company failed, he'd say I had created the accounts and moved the money myself. He said he had documents proving I was responsible.””
“Were you?””
“I signed things I.””
“Were you?””
“I signed things I shouldn't have signed. I accepted payments without demanding proper explanations. But I didn't create shouldn't have signed.
I accepted payments without demanding proper explanations. But I didn't create the loan application, and I didn't forge your signature.””
Eleanor asked for specifics. the loan application, and I didn't forge your signature.””
Eleanor asked for specifics. Vanessa agreed to provide her communications, company records, and bank Vanessa agreed to provide her communications, company records, and bank statements through her attorney. She also agreed to cooperate with investigators, without any promise about what legal consequences she might face.
Then statements through her attorney. She also agreed to cooperate with investigators, without any promise about what legal consequences she might face.
Then she reached into her bag and removed a small envelope.
“I have she reached into her bag and removed a small envelope.
“I have something else.””
Inside was a printed email dated nearly a year earlier.
It had been sent by Daniel to a private email something else.””
Inside was a printed email dated nearly a year earlier.
It had been sent by Daniel to a private email address associated with an outside financial consultant. The subject line read: Contingency plan.
address associated with an outside financial consultant. The subject line read: Contingency plan.
The message discussed an investment shortfall, an upcoming lender review, and a proposed transfer ofThe message discussed an investment shortfall, an upcoming lender review, and a proposed transfer of assets into entities that would be harder for creditors to reach.
One sentence assets into entities that would be harder for creditors to reach.
One sentence had been highlighted.
*If Richard asks about the original had been highlighted.
If Richard asks about the original investment, the records must show that he received repayment.
My father closed his eyes.
Vanessa investment, the records must show that he received repayment.*
My father closed his eyes.
Vanessa continued.
“He told me it was just a contingency. He said the company continued.
“He told me it was just a contingency. He said the company would recover before anyone needed to use it.””
“And the house?”” I asked.
“He wanted another asset available if the loan couldn't be repaid. He said your father's company owned it on would recover before anyone needed to use it.””
“And the house?”” I asked.
“He wanted another asset available if the loan couldn't be repaid. He said your father's company owned it on paper, but because you lived there and he had handled the property administration before, he thought paper, but because you lived there and he had handled the property administration before, he thought the transfer could be completed.””
“Thought?””
“He the transfer could be completed.””
“Thought?””
“He said he could make it happen.””
Eleanor examined the email.
“Do you know who the outside consultant was?””
Vanessa nodded.
“His name is Martin Shaw.””
My father frowned.
“Martin was the consultant who prepared the company's financial projections.””
“Was he involved in the original said he could make it happen.””
Eleanor examined the email.
“Do you know who the outside consultant was?””
Vanessa nodded.
“His name is Martin Shaw.””
My father frowned.
“Martin was the consultant who prepared the company's financial projections.””
“Was he involved in the original investment?”” Eleanor asked.
“Yes,” Vanessa replied.
“He helped Daniel prepare the reports investment?”” Eleanor asked.
“Yes,” Vanessa replied.
“He helped Daniel prepare the reports sent to your father.””
The room became very sent to your father.””
The room became very quiet.
My father looked devastated.
“If those reports were inaccurate, then I may have been relying on false information quiet.
My father looked devastated.
“If those reports were inaccurate, then I may have been relying on false information for years.””
Eleanor folded her hands.
“We'll need to examine the original reports and determine what Martin for years.””
Eleanor folded her hands.
“We'll need to examine the original reports and determine what Martin knew. His involvement alone doesn't establish wrongdoing.””
Vanessa nodded.
Before knew. His involvement alone doesn't establish wrongdoing.””
Vanessa nodded.
Before the meeting ended, she turned toward me.
“I know you hate me.””
“I don't know what I feel about the meeting ended, she turned toward me.
“I know you hate me.””
“I don't know what I feel about you yet.””
“That's fair.””
“You don't get to ask me to forgive you because you yet.””
“That's fair.””
“You don't get to ask me to forgive you because you're frightened of Daniel.””
“I know.””
I stood to leave.
Then Vanessa spoke again.
“Sarah you're frightened of Daniel.””
“I know.””
I stood to leave.
Then Vanessa spoke again.
“Sarah, there's one thing I never understood. Daniel told me he needed your signature because your, there's one thing I never understood. Daniel told me he needed your signature because your investment account was the only way to secure the loan.
But the application already investment account was the only way to secure the loan. But the application already had another guarantee attached.””
I stopped.
“What guarantee?””
“Martin said the company had a backup guarantor. had another guarantee attached.””
I stopped.
“What guarantee?””
“Martin said the company had a backup guarantor. Someone whose signature was already on file.””
“Whose?””
Van Someone whose signature was already on file.””
“Whose?””
Vanessa looked at my father.
“Richard's.””
My father shook his head.
“I never signedessa looked at my father.
“Richard's.””
My father shook his head.
“I never signed a personal guarantee.””
“I know that now,” Vanessa said.
“But Daniel insisted a personal guarantee.””
“I know that now,” Vanessa said.
“But Daniel insisted the original was valid.””
Eleanor asked where the document had come from the original was valid.””
Eleanor asked where the document had come from.
Vanessa gave us the reference number.
It matched the reference number on the suspicious guarantee we had found earlier.
Before we left, she handed Eleanor a final printed.
Vanessa gave us the reference number.
It matched the reference number on the suspicious guarantee we had found earlier.
Before we left, she handed Eleanor a final printed page from the email thread.
It contained a note written by Martin Shaw.
*The original authorization is page from the email thread.
It contained a note written by Martin Shaw.
The original authorization is in the archive. Do not create another version unless the first in the archive. Do not create another version unless the first becomes unusable.
Eleanor read it carefully.
“This suggests there may be an original document we haven't becomes unusable.*
Eleanor read it carefully.
“This suggests there may be an original document we haven't seen.””
My father stared at the page.
“An original authorization for what?””
Van seen.””
My father stared at the page.
“An original authorization for what?””
Vanessa's answer came in a whisper.
“The investment.””
She looked atessa's answer came in a whisper.
“The investment.””
She looked at me.
“Sarah, I think Daniel's entire explanation of me.
“Sarah, I think Daniel's entire explanation of where the money went depends on a document that nobody has checked.””
Eleanor slipped the page into the evidence folder.
“Then that where the money went depends on a document that nobody has checked.””
Eleanor slipped the page into the evidence folder.
“Then that is where we look next.””
As we walked out, my father fell into step beside me.
“Sarah, if is where we look next.””
As we walked out, my father fell into step beside me.
“Sarah, if I had been more careful, perhaps none of this would have happened.””
I stopped in I had been more careful, perhaps none of this would have happened.””
I stopped in the hallway.
“You trusted someone. That doesn't make you responsible for every decision he made.””
“But the hallway.
“You trusted someone. That doesn't make you responsible for every decision he made.””
“But I kept things from you, too.””
“Yes,” I said. I kept things from you, too.””
“Yes,” I said.
“You did.””
He looked down.
“I am sorry.””
I believed that he was.
But forgiveness, I was learning, wasn't the same as pretending “You did.””
He looked down.
“I am sorry.””
I believed that he was.
But forgiveness, I was learning, wasn't the same as pretending the harm had never happened.
We had an original document to find, a the harm had never happened.
We had an original document to find, a missing investment to trace, and a company whose financial records might have been manipulated for years.
And now missing investment to trace, and a company whose financial records might have been manipulated for years.
And now we had a name.
Martin Shaw.
The consultant who had helped Daniel explain the money we had a name.
Martin Shaw.
The consultant who had helped Daniel explain the money.
May you like
The man who had supposedly documented the truth.
And perhaps the person who knew exactly where it had gone.
