Chapter 8 - WHERE THE MONEY WENT
The lead investigator opened the Estate Preservation Fund file.
“Ms. Carter, nearly nine hundred thousand dollars was collected in your name. Where is it?”
Brooke folded her arms.
“It covered professional expenses.”
“What expenses?”
“Legal coordination. Property stabilization. Consulting.”
Jonathan placed the bank records on the stone ledge.
“Three hundred twelve thousand dollars purchased a condominium in Manhattan.”
Arthur stared at her.
“What condominium?”
She ignored him.
“One hundred ninety-six thousand paid private credit-card balances,” Jonathan continued. “Another one hundred eighty thousand was transferred to Evan Carter Consulting.”
Brooke’s brother.
His company had no office.
No staff.
No legitimate investor relationship.
Charles sat heavily on the ledge.
Victoria removed one pearl earring as though it suddenly hurt.
Brooke turned toward Arthur.
“Tell them you approved the expenses.”
His face went blank.
“I didn’t know about them.”
“You signed the campaign statement.”
“You said the money reimbursed you.”
“And you never asked to see proof.”
Arthur looked at me.
“You could have prevented this.”
“I was giving birth.”
“You could have called.”
“I did.”
He frowned.
“When?”
“Three times.”
Brooke had told him my calls were emotional manipulation.
She had convinced him to block the restricted number used by my military office.
May you like
Arthur had allowed her to control which information reached him.
But she succeeded because he had already decided my voice did not matter.
