Chapter 15 - THE ACCOUNT IN ZURICH
I confronted Dad in his office.
He did not deny the credential.
“I authorized an account.”
“Sixty-two million dollars?”
“No.”
He opened an old file.
The Zurich account was originally a contingency reserve.
$8 million.
Created after a hurricane damaged two Caribbean properties.
Julian later gained access as CEO.
Someone altered the authorization limits.
Dad’s old credential remained attached.
“Why didn’t you close it?”
“I forgot it existed.”
I stared.
He gave a tired smile.
“That answer sounds terrible.”
“It is terrible.”
“I know.”
Forensic tracing showed most of the $62 million had not been spent.
It had moved through layered accounts.
Then returned as investments into companies controlled by Julian, Adrian, and Martin.
Circular money.
Our money financing their attempt to buy our assets.
I felt physically sick.
Then one transfer stood out.
$4 million to Cross Meridian Media.
Vanessa’s company.
I called her.
She went silent.
“You said you got three-point-two.”
“I did.”
“Then what is the other four million?”
She whispered.
“I don’t know.”
We checked.
The account had been opened using her identity.
Julian had stolen from his mistress too.
Vanessa laughed when she learned.
Then she cried.
“I thought I was special.”
I looked at her.
“So did I.”
For one strange second, neither of us knew what to say.
Then she handed Miriam her phone.
May you like
“Take everything.”
