Chapter 13 - Jack’s Second Confession
Gerald received a call from the prison the following morning.
Jack wanted to speak with him.
Not Megan.
Gerald initially refused.
Then Jack said two words.
“Marcus Vale.”
Two hours later, Gerald sat behind reinforced glass while Jack picked up the phone on the opposite side.
Jack looked different from the man who had once dominated hospital fundraisers.
There was no tailored suit.
No expensive watch.
No audience to impress.
“I heard investigators were asking questions about old foundation accounts,” Jack said.
“How?”
“My attorney was contacted.”
Gerald remained silent.
Jack swallowed.
“Marcus taught me how the transfers worked.”
Gerald’s expression did not change.
“So you lied during your plea agreement.”
“I told prosecutors about everything I personally moved.”
“That wasn’t my question.”
Jack looked down.
“When I became involved, Marcus told me the hospital had used those structures for years.”
“For theft?”
“He called it discretionary financing.”
Gerald almost laughed.
“And you believed him?”
“No.”
That answer mattered.
Jack continued.
“I knew what it was. I just convinced myself everyone important was doing it.”
Marcus had shown Jack how to create consulting companies, alter digital approval chains and bury unauthorized withdrawals among legitimate medical expenses.
Jack eventually expanded the scheme for his own purposes.
Olivia.
Paris.
The condominium.
The escape plan.
Those choices had been his.
But the machinery had existed before him.
“Why are you telling me now?” Gerald asked.
Jack stared through the glass.
“Because Marcus keeps records.”
“What kind?”
“A black binder. Names, transfers, passwords, people he paid.”
“Where?”
“I never knew.”
Gerald stood.
Jack grabbed the phone tighter.
“There’s one more thing.”
Gerald waited.
“When Marcus realized Megan was investigating me, he told me not to worry.”
“Why?”
May you like
Jack’s face tightened.
“Because he said if Megan opened the wrong account, he had enough documents to make it look like she had stolen the money herself.”
