Chapter 5 - The Trap Inside the Contract
Detective Shaw advised Claire not to change her behavior.
“We need Victor to complete one more transfer,” she explained. “The transfer will connect the shell companies directly to the forged loan.”
Claire disliked the idea of allowing Victor to steal another dollar, but Ethan assured her the funds were being monitored.
“They won’t disappear,” he said.
Two weeks later, Victor brought home another contract.
This time, the amount was four million dollars.
“I need you to sign tonight,” he said.
Claire read each page slowly.
Victor paced beside the window.
“Why are you taking so long?”
“I’m trying to understand it.”
He snatched the papers from her.
“This is why I handle everything.”
The following morning, the signed contract was submitted electronically.
Claire had never touched it.
Victor had used another forged signature.
The transfer activated the investigation.
Authorities traced the money from the fraudulent loan into a shell company controlled by Olivia. From there, it was scheduled to move into an overseas account at 4:00 in the morning on the first Friday of the following month.
Detective Shaw applied for emergency orders to freeze the accounts as soon as the transfer began.
The board of Hale Development was notified confidentially.
Airline and border authorities were alerted because Victor’s financial crimes involved identity fraud and an attempt to flee during an active investigation.
Everything was ready.
All they needed was for Victor to make his move.
Claire knew the date before Victor told Olivia.
She knew the flight number.
She knew which airport entrance they planned to use.
She even knew Victor intended to leave her a message claiming he had taken every property, every account and every valuable possession.
Naomi offered to have someone stay with her on the final night.
May you like
Claire declined.
“No,” she said. “I want to see his face when he realizes I was never asleep.”
