Chapter 13 - THE PAYMENT FROM C.A. CONSULTINGCalvin Avery agreed to speak with investigators.
Then changed his mind.
That told Nora enough.
Not legally.
Emotionally.
The financial trail showed C.A. Strategic Consulting received money from the foundation, then paid several subcontractors.
Derek was one.
The problem was that some consulting work was legitimate.
Crisis communications.
Donor research.
Risk monitoring.
Enough lawful activity to hide unlawful assignments.
Nora sat with Priya and an independent forensic accountant named Marcus Lee.
Marcus pointed at the screen.
“These four payments concern me.”
“Why?”
“Descriptions.”
Executive reputation monitoring.
Stakeholder containment.
Digital risk mitigation.
Then:
Special field services.
Nora shivered.
“Derek.”
“Likely.”
“Who approved them?”
Marcus scrolled.
Celeste on two.
Claire Benton on one.
Ethan on another.
Nora stared.
“The one Ethan approved?”
“Special field services.”
Her throat tightened.
“How much?”
“Twenty-five thousand.”
She called Ethan.
This time he came directly to Priya’s office.
No Celeste.
No lawyer.
He looked sick.
Nora placed the invoice in front of him.
“Did you approve this?”
Ethan stared.
“Yes.”
“What was it?”
“I was told donor-security research.”
“By whom?”
“My mother.”
“Did you ask for details?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because she chaired the foundation.”
Nora laughed bitterly.
“That answer is becoming your entire life.”
He looked down.
“I trusted her.”
“And you didn’t trust me.”
“I know.”
Marcus asked:
“Mr. Arden, did you approve other payments to C.A.?”
“Yes.”
“How many?”
“I don’t know.”
Nora stared.
“How do you not know?”
“Mom sends authorization packets. Sometimes twenty invoices.”
“You sign them without reading?”
“I review totals.”
“Not vendors.”
“No.”
Nora stood.
She needed distance.
Ethan followed her into the hallway.
“I didn’t hire Derek.”
“I believe you.”
He looked surprised.
That hurt too.
“You do?”
“Yes.”
Nora turned.
“But I also believe you made it possible for your mother to hide things behind your name.”
Ethan swallowed.
“I know.”
“Do you?”
“Yes.”
For once no defense.
Nora looked at him.
“This might destroy the foundation.”
“I know.”
“Your mother.”
“Yes.”
“Your family’s reputation.”
“Yes.”
She waited.
Ethan looked directly at her.
“Keep going.”
“What?”
“With the investigation.”
Nora’s eyes filled.
Ethan continued.
“Whatever it costs.”
For the first time, Nora saw the man she had married beneath the son Celeste had trained him to be.
Not redeemed.
May you like
Not yet.
But awake.
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