Chapter 15 - The Lowest Point
The press found everything by sunrise.
Not the truth.
Fragments.
Enough to destroy reputations.
DAVID VANCE FRAUD SCANDAL DEEPENS.
WIFE CONTROLLED TRUST USED IN SUSPICIOUS TRANSFERS.
Questions were suddenly being asked about me.
My signature appeared on documents.
My authentication certificate had been used.
My family trust funded the company.
I became convenient.
Online strangers called me David’s partner.
Some said Lily’s death was being used to create sympathy.
That sentence made me physically sick.
Then regulators froze an additional corporate operating account.
Payroll was forty-eight hours away.
The board panicked.
One director called me.
“If you cannot separate yourself from these transactions, we may need you to resign too.”
I hung up.
For the first time since Lily died, I felt defeated.
Not tired.
Defeated.
Katherine entered my office.
“We have another problem.”
She showed me a forensic report.
Three fraudulent transfers had been approved using biometric authentication.
My fingerprint.
I stared at her.
“That’s impossible.”
“The device says otherwise.”
“David couldn’t fake my fingerprint.”
Katherine did not answer.
Then I remembered something.
Six months earlier, David bought me a new home-office security system.
He insisted I enroll fingerprints on a tablet.
He said the company’s insurer required stronger personal security.
I had pressed my finger against that reader dozens of times.
“Could he copy it?”
Katherine’s expression answered.
Someone had built the perfect frame.
My signature.
My authentication key.
My biometric profile.
If David blamed me, the evidence might look convincing.
Then my phone rang.
David.
His temporary release conditions allowed communication through attorneys, but he had been given permission for one direct call.
I almost ignored it.
Then I answered.
“What?”
His voice sounded broken.
“Maya, Nolan is going to blame you.”
“He already tried.”
“You don’t understand.”
“I understand perfectly.”
“No.”
“You don’t.”
A pause.
Then he said.
“There’s a backup.”
My heart accelerated.
“What backup?”
“Proof you never authorized the transfers.”
“Where?”
“I can’t tell you over the phone.”
I laughed bitterly.
“You expect me to trust you?”
“No.”
“Then why help me?”
Silence.
When he spoke again, his voice cracked.
“Because I listened to Lily’s voicemail seventy-three times last night.”
I closed my eyes.
“That doesn’t erase anything.”
“I know.”
“Then tell Agent Cole where the evidence is.”
“I can’t.”
“Why?”
“Because if I do, someone will destroy it.”
“Who?”
David hesitated.
That hesitation told me the danger was not over.
“Maya.”
“There is someone above Nolan.”
My hand tightened around the phone.
“Who?”
Before David could answer, the connection cut off.
Three seconds later, Katherine’s phone rang.
She looked at the screen.
Then at me.
“The federal detention system just revoked David’s release.”
“Why?”
Her face went pale.
May you like
“Someone tried to kill Nolan inside protective custody.”
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