Chapter 7: ## Chapter 7: The Man Behind the Numbers
At eight: The Man Behind the Numbers
At eight fifteen the following morning, Martin fifteen the following morning, Martin Shaw walked into Emmett's office carrying two Shaw walked into Emmett's office carrying two coffees and a folder thick enough to stop a bullet coffees and a folder thick enough to stop a bullet.
He looked exactly as he had the night before. Same charcoal suit. Same wire-rimmed glasses. Same carefully controlled expression of a man who had spent his career making difficult financial problems appear manageable.
He set one coffee beside Emmett's laptop and offered me the other.
“Mr. Vale, I thought you might appreciate something warm.””
I looked at the cup.
“That's considerate, Martin.””
His eyes moved briefly to the stack of printed records on.
He looked exactly as he had the night before. Same charcoal suit. Same wire-rimmed glasses. Same carefully controlled expression of a man who had spent his career making difficult financial problems appear manageable.
He set one coffee beside Emmett's laptop and offered me the other.
“Mr. Vale, I thought you might appreciate something warm.””
I looked at the cup.
“That's considerate, Martin.””
His eyes moved briefly to the stack of printed records on the conference table.
“Have you made any progress?””
“Some,” I replied.
Emmett remained standing beside the window.
“Martin, we need to discuss an email.””
Martin's hand stopped halfway toward the conference table.
“Have you made any progress?””
“Some,” I replied.
Emmett remained standing beside the window.
“Martin, we need to discuss an email.””
Martin's hand stopped halfway toward his briefcase.
“What email?””
“One sent by Thea four months ago. It concerned my father's trust and the closure his briefcase.
“What email?””
“One sent by Thea four months ago. It concerned my father's trust and the closure of the account.””
Martin slowly placed his briefcase on the table.
“I see.””
“Do you?””
Emmett turned his of the account.””
Martin slowly placed his briefcase on the table.
“I see.””
“Do you?””
Emmett turned his laptop around.
The email filled the screen.
Martin read the three lines, then looked at the recipient information laptop around.
The email filled the screen.
Martin read the three lines, then looked at the recipient information. His face changed so subtly that a less observant man might have missed it.
I did not.
His. His face changed so subtly that a less observant man might have missed it.
I did not.
His eyebrows drew together. His lips pressed into a thin line. For a moment, he appeared to be deciding which eyebrows drew together.
His lips pressed into a thin line. For a moment, he appeared to be deciding which version of the truth would be safest to offer.
Then he removed his glasses.
“I can explain.””
Emmett laughed once, without humor.
“That's becoming version of the truth would be safest to offer.
Then he removed his glasses.
“I can explain.””
Emmett laughed once, without humor.
“That's becoming a popular sentence in my family.””
Martin pulled out a chair.
“May I sit?””
“Please a popular sentence in my family.””
Martin pulled out a chair.
“May I sit?””
“Please,” I said.
He sat opposite me, folded his hands, and took a breath.
“,” I said.
He sat opposite me, folded his hands, and took a breath.
“Four months ago, Mrs. Whitmore contacted me regarding the trust. She said your father had requested that the remaining funds be transferred into a new structure to simplify theFour months ago, Mrs.
Whitmore contacted me regarding the trust. She said your father had requested that the remaining funds be transferred into a new structure to simplify the administration.””
“Did she provide written authorization?”” I asked.
“She provided a document.””
“Did you verify it with administration.””
“Did she provide written authorization?”” I asked.
“She provided a document.””
“Did you verify it with the beneficiary?””
“No.””
“Did you verify it with Emmett?””
Martin looked toward my son.
“No.””
“Then why did you proceed?””
He swallowed.
“Because I believed the arrangement had the beneficiary?””
“No.””
“Did you verify it with Emmett?””
Martin looked toward my son.
“No.””
“Then why did you proceed?””
He swallowed.
“Because I believed the arrangement had already been approved.””
“By whom?””
“Mrs. Whitmore said you already been approved.””
“By whom?””
“Mrs. Whitmore said you had discussed it with Emmett.””
Emmett leaned forward.
“She never discussed it with me.””
“I understand that now.””
“Did you understand it when you received the email saying neither of had discussed it with Emmett.””
Emmett leaned forward.
“She never discussed it with me.””
“I understand that now.””
“Did you understand it when you received the email saying neither of us should have any reason to examine the arrangement?””
Martin looked down.
“That email was badly worded.””
“Was it false?”” I asked.
He did us should have any reason to examine the arrangement?””
Martin looked down.
“That email was badly worded.””
“Was it false?”” I asked.
He did not answer immediately.
I opened the folder in front of me and removed a printed copy of the email.
“Martin, I've spent forty years investigating financial irregularities. I've heard people call not answer immediately.
I opened the folder in front of me and removed a printed copy of the email.
“Martin, I've spent forty years investigating financial irregularities. I've heard people call deliberate transfers administrative errors, missing money temporary discrepancies, and forged signatures deliberate transfers administrative errors, missing money temporary discrepancies, and forged signatures documentation problems. I don't need you to describe the language. I need you to tell me what you did.””
He looked at me for a long moment.
Then he documentation problems. I don't need you to describe the language. I need you to tell me what you did.””
He looked at me for a long moment.
Then he spoke.
“I prepared the closure paperwork.””
Emmett went still.
“You prepared it?””
“Yes.””
“Did you know spoke.
“I prepared the closure paperwork.””
Emmett went still.
“You prepared it?””
“Yes.””
“Did you know the signature was forged?””
Martin shook his head quickly.
“No. I did not forge your father's signature, and I did not witness the the signature was forged?””
Martin shook his head quickly.
“No. I did not forge your father's signature, and I did not witness the document.””
“But you knew the trust was being closed.””
“Yes.””
“And you knew the beneficiary had not received the payments.””
Martin looked at the table.
“I document.””
“But you knew the trust was being closed.””
“Yes.””
“And you knew the beneficiary had not received the payments.””
Martin looked at the table.
“I suspected there were irregularities.””
“Suspected?”” Emmett repeated.
“How much money suspected there were irregularities.””
“Suspected?”” Emmett repeated.
“How much money did you think was missing?””
“I didn't know the total.””
“You were the chief financial officer.””
“I did not did you think was missing?””
“I didn't know the total.””
“You were the chief financial officer.””
“I did not manage the trust directly.””
“You managed the company accounts that received money connected to it!””
Martin flinched.
I raised one manage the trust directly.””
“You managed the company accounts that received money connected to it!””
Martin flinched.
I raised one hand.
“Emmett. Let him finish.””
My son turned away, breathing hard.
I looked back at Martin.
“Why did you hand.
“Emmett. Let him finish.””
My son turned away, breathing hard.
I looked back at Martin.
“Why did you prepare the paperwork?””
Martin rubbed his forehead.
“Because I was told the transaction had been reviewed by prepare the paperwork?””
Martin rubbed his forehead.
“Because I was told the transaction had been reviewed by legal counsel. I was instructed to ensure that the accounting records reflected the closure correctly.””
“Who instructed you?””
“Thea.””
“Only The legal counsel. I was instructed to ensure that the accounting records reflected the closure correctly.””
“Who instructed you?””
“Thea.””
“Only Thea?””
His eyes flickered toward the door.
That was enough to tell me there was more.
“a?””
His eyes flickered toward the door.
That was enough to tell me there was more.
“Martin,” I said, “if you protect someone who committed fraud, you may become responsible for helping conceal it. If you tell the truth, the evidence canMartin,” I said, “if you protect someone who committed fraud, you may become responsible for helping conceal it. If you tell the truth, the evidence can establish what you actually did. Those are very different positions.””
He took off his glasses and cleaned them with his tie.
“Victor contacted me first.””
Em establish what you actually did. Those are very different positions.””
He took off his glasses and cleaned them with his tie.
“Victor contacted me first.””
Emmett stared at him.
“My uncle?””
Martin nodded.
“About eighteen months ago, Victor approached me with a proposal involving a property investment. He said it wouldmett stared at him.
“My uncle?””
Martin nodded.
“About eighteen months ago, Victor approached me with a proposal involving a property investment. He said it would provide liquidity to several businesses connected to your family. He claimed you had agreed to support the arrangement.””
“I never agreed provide liquidity to several businesses connected to your family. He claimed you had agreed to support the arrangement.””
“I never agreed to anything,” Emmett said.
“I know that now.””
“You keep saying that.””
Martin put his glasses back on to anything,” Emmett said.
“I know that now.””
“You keep saying that.””
Martin put his glasses back on.
“I understand how it sounds.””
“It sounds like you helped my uncle steal from my father.””
Martin's.
“I understand how it sounds.””
“It sounds like you helped my uncle steal from my father.””
Martin's shoulders sagged.
“I accepted consulting payments from one of Victor's companies. I believed the investments were legitimate at first. When the acquisition shoulders sagged.
“I accepted consulting payments from one of Victor's companies. I believed the investments were legitimate at first. When the acquisition failed to materialize, I began asking questions.””
“What happened?”” I asked.
“Victor failed to materialize, I began asking questions.””
“What happened?”” I asked.
“Victor told me the deal had been delayed. Thea then approached me with revised documents. She said the told me the deal had been delayed.
Thea then approached me with revised documents. She said the funds had been redirected into a new project and that the paperwork would be regularized afterward.””
“And you accepted that explanation?””
“At first.””
“What funds had been redirected into a new project and that the paperwork would be regularized afterward.””
“And you accepted that explanation?””
“At first.””
“What changed?””
Martin looked at Emmett.
“Your father.””
I frowned.
“What about me?””
“Mrs. Whitmore mentioned that you had started changed?””
Martin looked at Emmett.
“Your father.””
I frowned.
“What about me?””
“Mrs. Whitmore mentioned that you had started asking about the trust. She wanted the closure completed before you requested formal statements.””
I felt my jaw tighten.
“Did asking about the trust. She wanted the closure completed before you requested formal statements.””
I felt my jaw tighten.
“Did she say why?””
“She said you were becoming suspicious.””
I almost smiled.
Three years she say why?””
“She said you were becoming suspicious.””
I almost smiled.
Three years of silence, and Thea had apparently begun to fear me the of silence, and Thea had apparently begun to fear me the moment I might finally ask a question.
“What did you do?”” I asked.
“I prepared the accounting entries. I moved certain moment I might finally ask a question.
“What did you do?”” I asked.
“I prepared the accounting entries. I moved certain liabilities into a suspense account and classified the outgoing payments as project advances.””
“Did you create false liabilities into a suspense account and classified the outgoing payments as project advances.””
“Did you create false invoices?””
Martin hesitated.
“Some invoices were provided to me by Victor's company. I entered invoices?””
Martin hesitated.
“Some invoices were provided to me by Victor's company. I entered them into the system.””
“Did you verify that the services had been performed?””
“No.””
“Did you know they hadn't been?””
“I suspected.””
“That's not the same answer.””
He closed them into the system.””
“Did you verify that the services had been performed?””
“No.””
“Did you know they hadn't been?””
“I suspected.””
“That's not the same answer.””
He closed his eyes.
“Yes,” he said finally.
“By the time I prepared the closure paperwork, I knew the documentation was incomplete. I knew the payments could not be properly his eyes.
“Yes,” he said finally.
“By the time I prepared the closure paperwork, I knew the documentation was incomplete. I knew the payments could not be properly substantiated. I should have stopped the transaction.””
Emmett leaned against the desk.
“Why didn't you?””
Martin looked at his hands.
“Because I was afraid.””
“Of what?””
substantiated. I should have stopped the transaction.””
Emmett leaned against the desk.
“Why didn't you?””
Martin looked at his hands.
“Because I was afraid.””
“Of what?””
“Losing my position. Losing my reputation. Being implicated in something I hadn't initiated.””
“Losing my position. Losing my reputation. Being implicated in something I hadn't initiated.””
He gave a bitter laugh.
“By the time I realized how serious it was, I had already made myself partHe gave a bitter laugh.
“By the time I realized how serious it was, I had already made myself part of it.””
I understood the fear. I had seen it in boardrooms and executive offices, where intelligent people convinced themselves that one more compromise would allow them to escape the of it.””
I understood the fear. I had seen it in boardrooms and executive offices, where intelligent people convinced themselves that one more compromise would allow them to escape the consequences of the last.
But understanding a motive did not make the action acceptable.
“You consequences of the last.
But understanding a motive did not make the action acceptable.
“You made a choice,” I said.
“Yes.””
“And then you made another.””
“Yes.””
“Every time you entered a false transaction, you made another choice.””
Martin lowered made a choice,” I said.
“Yes.””
“And then you made another.””
“Yes.””
“Every time you entered a false transaction, you made another choice.””
Martin lowered his head.
“I know.””
Emmett walked back to the table.
“Where did the money go?””
his head.
“I know.””
Emmett walked back to the table.
“Where did the money go?””
Martin opened his briefcase and removed several bank statements.
“I started collecting records after I received Thea's email. I didn't knowMartin opened his briefcase and removed several bank statements.
“I started collecting records after I received Thea's email. I didn't know how to fix what had happened, but I knew the account closure was wrong. I made how to fix what had happened, but I knew the account closure was wrong. I made copies of the transaction histories before the files were archived.””
He pushed the statements toward us.
“There are three principal recipients. Victor's property company, the consulting firm used copies of the transaction histories before the files were archived.””
He pushed the statements toward us.
“There are three principal recipients. Victor's property company, the consulting firm used for the false acquisition, and an overseas for the false acquisition, and an overseas account controlled through an entity connected to Thea's family.””
I studied the statements.
“Can you trace the final transfers?””
“Partially. The overseas account received the funds, then distributed them to several destinations. Some went into property purchases. Some paid personal account controlled through an entity connected to Thea's family.””
I studied the statements.
“Can you trace the final transfers?””
“Partially. The overseas account received the funds, then distributed them to several destinations. Some went into property purchases.
Some paid personal expenses. Some were transferred to accounts I couldn't identify.””
“How much remains recoverable?””
Martin hesitated.
“That's expenses. Some were transferred to accounts I couldn't identify.””
“How much remains recoverable?””
Martin hesitated.
“That's uncertain.””
Emmett's voice became sharp.
“Give me a number.””
“Approximately uncertain.””
Emmett's voice became sharp.
“Give me a number.””
“Approximately one hundred and ninety thousand dollars may still be identifiable in accounts or assets that haven't been sold. The rest appears one hundred and ninety thousand dollars may still be identifiable in accounts or assets that haven't been sold. The rest appears to have been spent, moved again, or used to cover other liabilities.””
My son turned to have been spent, moved again, or used to cover other liabilities.””
My son turned away.
Two hundred and eighty-eight thousand dollars from the trust. Hundreds of thousands more from his company. Years of careful work away.
Two hundred and eighty-eight thousand dollars from the trust. Hundreds of thousands more from his company. Years of careful work undone by people he had welcomed into his home.
I continued reviewing the records.
undone by people he had welcomed into his home.
I continued reviewing the records.
One entry caught my attention.
A transfer of forty-two thousand dollars had been made to a legalOne entry caught my attention.
A transfer of forty-two thousand dollars had been made to a legal services account. The description referenced a property transaction, but the date was the same as the day Victor had witnessed my supposed signature.
I tapped the page.
“What was this payment for?””
Martin leaned closer.
“I believe services account. The description referenced a property transaction, but the date was the same as the day Victor had witnessed my supposed signature.
I tapped the page.
“What was this payment for?””
Martin leaned closer.
“I believe it covered the preparation of the termination documents.””
“Who received it?””
“Whitmore Legal Advisory.””
Em it covered the preparation of the termination documents.””
“Who received it?””
“Whitmore Legal Advisory.””
Emmett frowned.
“Adrian's firm?””
“Yes.””
I wrote the name down.
“Did Adrian know the documents were false?””
“I don't know.””
mett frowned.
“Adrian's firm?””
“Yes.””
I wrote the name down.
“Did Adrian know the documents were false?””
“I don't know.””
“Did you speak to him?””
“No.””
“Then we don't accuse him without evidence.””
Emmett nodded reluctantly.
Martin sat back.
“I'll cooperate with the forensic“Did you speak to him?””
“No.””
“Then we don't accuse him without evidence.””
Emmett nodded reluctantly.
Martin sat back.
“I'll cooperate with the forensic review. I'll provide the records, explain the accounting entries, and identify every transaction I handled.””
“You understand that your own conduct will be investigated?”” Emmett asked.
“Yes review. I'll provide the records, explain the accounting entries, and identify every transaction I handled.””
“You understand that your own conduct will be investigated?”” Emmett asked.
“Yes.””
“You may lose your position.””
“I understand.””
“And if you concealed evidence, your position may be worse than that.””
Martin looked at him.””
“You may lose your position.””
“I understand.””
“And if you concealed evidence, your position may be worse than that.””
Martin looked at him.
“I understand that, too.””
Emmett remained silent for a moment.
Then he said, “You are suspended from financial operations effective.
“I understand that, too.””
Emmett remained silent for a moment.
Then he said, “You are suspended from financial operations effective immediately. Your access will be restricted, but the legal team will arrange supervised access so you can assist with immediately. Your access will be restricted, but the legal team will arrange supervised access so you can assist with the investigation.””
Martin nodded.
He did not argue.
Before he left, he turned toward me.
“Mr. Vale, I want you to know that I never intended for you to suffer.””
the investigation.””
Martin nodded.
He did not argue.
Before he left, he turned toward me.
“Mr. Vale, I want you to know that I never intended for you to suffer.””
I looked at him.
“Intentions are easy to claim after the damage has been done.””
“II looked at him.
“Intentions are easy to claim after the damage has been done.””
“I know.””
“Then help us establish exactly what happened.””
“I will.””
When the door closed behind him, Emmett sank into know.””
“Then help us establish exactly what happened.””
“I will.””
When the door closed behind him, Emmett sank into his chair.
“Can we trust anything he gives us?””
“We can verify it.””
“That's not what his chair.
“Can we trust anything he gives us?””
“We can verify it.””
“That's not what I asked.””
I gathered the statements.
“Trust is a feeling, Emmett. Evidence is something else.””
He looked exhausted.
“I don't know how many people I can I asked.””
I gathered the statements.
“Trust is a feeling, Emmett. Evidence is something else.””
He looked exhausted.
“I don't know how many people I can trust anymore.””
“Then don't make trust your method of investigation.””
He almost smiled.
“You really did miss this work trust anymore.””
“Then don't make trust your method of investigation.””
He almost smiled.
“You really did miss this work.””
“I missed knowing what the numbers meant.””
I spent the next two hours comparing Martin's records with the trust statements. The picture grew clearer with every page.””
“I missed knowing what the numbers meant.””
I spent the next two hours comparing Martin's records with the trust statements. The picture grew clearer with every page.
Thea had controlled the administrative side of the trust. Victor had provided the company through which the money could.
Thea had controlled the administrative side of the trust. Victor had provided the company through which the money could be moved. Martin had helped disguise the transactions inside Emmett's business records. The consulting firm had created a false commercial purpose for several transfers.
be moved. Martin had helped disguise the transactions inside Emmett's business records. The consulting firm had created a false commercial purpose for several transfers.
It was an arrangement that relied on each person knowing enough to play a partIt was an arrangement that relied on each person knowing enough to play a part but not necessarily enough to understand the entire scheme.
Except, of course, Thea.
Her initials appeared again but not necessarily enough to understand the entire scheme.
Except, of course, Thea.
Her initials appeared again and again.
She had approved the transfers, supplied the explanations, and pushed for the trust's closure.
By lunchtime and again.
She had approved the transfers, supplied the explanations, and pushed for the trust's closure.
By lunchtime, we had a timeline covering almost three years.
I was marking the final entry, we had a timeline covering almost three years.
I was marking the final entry when Emmett's phone rang.
The caller was his solicitor.
He answered immediately.
“James, what have you found?””
The solicitor's voice was grave.
when Emmett's phone rang.
The caller was his solicitor.
He answered immediately.
“James, what have you found?””
The solicitor's voice was grave.
“We've obtained additional records from the bank. There's a problem with the overseas account.””
“What problem?””
“The“We've obtained additional records from the bank. There's a problem with the overseas account.””
“What problem?””
“The account has been emptied.””
Emmett closed his eyes.
“When?””
“Yesterday afternoon.””
I looked at the papers.
“Was the transfer authorized by Thea?””
“We're account has been emptied.””
Emmett closed his eyes.
“When?””
“Yesterday afternoon.””
I looked at the papers.
“Was the transfer authorized by Thea?””
“We're still confirming that. But the money was moved to a still confirming that. But the money was moved to a new destination, and the account has been closed.””
Emmett stood.
“Can you trace it?””
“We're trying.””
“Then keep trying.””
He ended the call and stared at the new destination, and the account has been closed.””
Emmett stood.
“Can you trace it?””
“We're trying.””
“Then keep trying.””
He ended the call and stared at the wall.
Thea had known we were investigating.
She had moved the money before we could secure it.
I looked at the email again, at the line about ensuring wall.
Thea had known we were investigating.
She had moved the money before we could secure it.
I looked at the email again, at the line about ensuring that neither Emmett nor I would have reason to examine the arrangement.
“She is still ahead of us,” Emmett said.
“Not necessarily.””
He that neither Emmett nor I would have reason to examine the arrangement.
“She is still ahead of us,” Emmett said.
“Not necessarily.””
He turned toward me.
“What do you mean?””
I held up the latest bank statement.
“People who move money in a hurry make mistakes. They leave records. They reuse accounts turned toward me.
“What do you mean?””
I held up the latest bank statement.
“People who move money in a hurry make mistakes. They leave records. They reuse accounts. They assume nobody will follow the trail because the paperwork looks complicated.””
I tapped the final transfer.
. They assume nobody will follow the trail because the paperwork looks complicated.””
I tapped the final transfer.
“Your wife has spent three years believing I would never ask where the money went.””
I gathered the documents into the folder.
“She“Your wife has spent three years believing I would never ask where the money went.””
I gathered the documents into the folder.
“She has finally given me a reason to ask.””
Then my phone rang.
It was an unfamiliar number.
I answered.
“Dunstan Vale?””
“Yes has finally given me a reason to ask.””
Then my phone rang.
It was an unfamiliar number.
I answered.
“Dunstan Vale?””
“Yes.””
“My name is Adrian Whitmore. I'm Thea's brother.””
I looked at Emmett.
Adrian's voice was controlled, but I.””
“My name is Adrian Whitmore. I'm Thea's brother.””
I looked at Emmett.
Adrian's voice was controlled, but I could hear strain beneath it.
“I understand you're investigating some financial documents connected to my firm. I need to speak with you privately.””
“About could hear strain beneath it.
“I understand you're investigating some financial documents connected to my firm. I need to speak with you privately.””
“About what?””
“About the trust. And about what my sister has done.””
I waited.
Then he said the words that changed the direction of the what?””
“About the trust. And about what my sister has done.””
I waited.
Then he said the words that changed the direction of the investigation.
May you like
“Mr. Vale, Thea didn't simply steal your money. She has been using your identity to obtain credit, and I have reason to believe there investigation.
“Mr. Vale, Thea didn't simply steal your money. She has been using your identity to obtain credit, and I have reason to believe there may be other victims.””
