Chapter 6 - The Federal Question
The agents introduced themselves as Special Agent Lena Ortiz and Special Agent Mark Bell from the FBI’s public corruption squad.
They did not smile.
Claire sat across from them in Arthur’s conference room with counsel beside her.
Ortiz opened a thin notebook. “Mrs. Cole, we’re investigating irregularities connected to the Beacon municipal contract.”
“I learned that last night.”
“From whom?”
“Mr. Hale.”
Ortiz glanced at Arthur. “And where did he learn it?”
Arthur answered, “Public filings and industry counsel.”
Bell placed a photocopy on the table.
Claire’s signature was at the bottom.
Above it was an authorization for Meridian to retain a consulting firm named Hudson Strategic Partners for eight million dollars.
Claire stared at it.
“That isn’t mine.”
Bell leaned forward. “The signature?”
“The authorization. I never approved this.”
“But the signature resembles yours.”
“Because somebody copied it.”
Ortiz watched her carefully. “Who?”
Claire could have said Ethan.
She did not.
“I don’t know yet.”
Arthur gave her the smallest nod.
Bell slid over another page. “Hudson Strategic Partners transferred money three days later to an entity tied to a consultant who advised a Beacon council member.”
Madison, listening from the far end of the room with her own attorney on speaker, whispered, “Oh my God.”
Ortiz looked at her. “You recognize the company?”
“I processed Hudson invoices.”
“Who instructed you?”
Madison’s eyes moved toward Claire, then Arthur.
“Ethan Cole.”
The room changed.
Ortiz closed her notebook. “We’d like a formal interview.”
Madison nodded slowly.
Claire asked, “Are you saying my husband bribed someone?”
Ortiz answered with precision. “I’m saying we are investigating whether money connected to the Beacon contract was improperly routed. We have not reached a final conclusion.”
Fair enough.
After the agents left, Claire stood at the window.
Arthur said, “This is larger than the divorce now.”
“It was always larger. I just didn’t know.”
Nora entered carrying a tablet.
“Building security at Meridian changed overnight,” she said. “Ethan’s credentials were disabled, but someone with administrator access reactivated them at 3:12 a.m.”
Arthur swore under his breath.
Claire turned. “Can we get the drive?”
Nora hesitated. “Maybe.”
Then Madison’s phone buzzed.
She read the message and went white.
Claire asked, “What?”
Madison handed her the phone.
It was a photograph of the maintenance panel behind the third mirror.
May you like
The panel was open.
The drive was gone.
