Chapter 8: Twelve Million Dollars Before Midnight
The boardroom erupted.
Helen immediately called the bank.
Thomas Reed demanded an explanation.
Noah stood behind my chair, staring atroom erupted.
Helen immediately called the bank.
Thomas Reed demanded an explanation.
Noah stood behind my chair, staring at the transfer notification.
"How could they move that much money?""
Rebecca was already typing.
"Someone has accessed the holding account using an authorized credential.""
I looked at Helen.
"Who has the transfer notification.
"How could they move that much money?""
Rebecca was already typing.
"Someone has accessed the holding account using an authorized credential.""
I looked at Helen.
"Who has access?""
She opened the company's security records.
"Grace, Samuel was one of three people access?""
She opened the company's security records.
"Grace, Samuel was one of three people with administrative authorization.""
"Who are the others?""
"Myself and the chief financial officer.""
"Where is the CFO?""
Helen picked up her phone.
with administrative authorization.""
"Who are the others?""
"Myself and the chief financial officer.""
"Where is the CFO?""
Helen picked up her phone.
"Daniel?""
She waited.
Then tried again.
No answer.
Her expression changed.
"He's not responding.""
Rebecca looked"Daniel?""
She waited.
Then tried again.
No answer.
Her expression changed.
"He's not responding.""
Rebecca looked up.
"What's his full name?""
"Daniel Price.""
I knew Daniel.
He had worked for the company for nine years.
He was up.
"What's his full name?""
"Daniel Price.""
I knew Daniel.
He had worked for the company for nine years.
He was intelligent, careful, and extremely loyal to Samuel.
That last detail suddenly seemed important.
Noah paced intelligent, careful, and extremely loyal to Samuel.
That last detail suddenly seemed important.
Noah paced the room.
"Can we stop the transfer?""
Rebecca nodded.
"We can request an emergency freeze. But we need to establish that the authorization was fraudulent.""
Helen placed the bank on speakerphone the room.
"Can we stop the transfer?""
Rebecca nodded.
"We can request an emergency freeze. But we need to establish that the authorization was fraudulent.""
Helen placed the bank on speakerphone.
A representative answered.
"This is Monica from corporate fraud prevention.""
Helen identified herself.
"We.
A representative answered.
"This is Monica from corporate fraud prevention.""
Helen identified herself.
"We're reporting an unauthorized transfer of twelve million dollars from the Carter Grand holding account.""
"Has the transfer already been processed?""
"No. It's scheduled for midnight.""
're reporting an unauthorized transfer of twelve million dollars from the Carter Grand holding account.""
"Has the transfer already been processed?""
"No. It's scheduled for midnight.""
"Please provide the transaction reference.""
Helen read it aloud.
There was a pause.
Then Monica spoke again.
"Mrs. Brooks, the transfer was approved using two-factor"Please provide the transaction reference.""
Helen read it aloud.
There was a pause.
Then Monica spoke again.
"Mrs. Brooks, the transfer was approved using two-factor authentication.""
"By whom?""
"The primary authorization was issued under Daniel Price's credentials. The secondary approval came from a registered device belonging to Grace Carter.""
I froze authentication.""
"By whom?""
"The primary authorization was issued under Daniel Price's credentials. The secondary approval came from a registered device belonging to Grace Carter.""
I froze.
"What?""
Monica repeated the information.
"The system shows your device approved the transaction at 2.
"What?""
Monica repeated the information.
"The system shows your device approved the transaction at 2:41 p.m.""
I looked at Rebecca.
"My phone was with me.""
"Can you confirm that?"" she asked.
I nodded.
"I never:41 p.m.""
I looked at Rebecca.
"My phone was with me.""
"Can you confirm that?"" she asked.
I nodded.
"I never approved anything.""
Monica continued.
"We'll need a formal fraud affidavit before the bank can suspend approved anything.""
Monica continued.
"We'll need a formal fraud affidavit before the bank can suspend the transfer.""
Rebecca immediately began preparing it.
Helen looked sick.
"Daniel has stolen Grace's authorization.""
Noah shook his head.
"Or someone the transfer.""
Rebecca immediately began preparing it.
Helen looked sick.
"Daniel has stolen Grace's authorization.""
Noah shook his head.
"Or someone has stolen her phone.""
I looked down at my handbag.
My phone was there.
I remembered leaving it on the table while Rebecca and I has stolen her phone.""
I looked down at my handbag.
My phone was there.
I remembered leaving it on the table while Rebecca and I examined the documents at the old office.
For several minutes, it had been unattended.
But who had been near it?
Margaret?
Rebecca examined the documents at the old office.
For several minutes, it had been unattended.
But who had been near it?
Margaret?
Rebecca?
The security officers?
I didn't know.
Then my phone vibrated.
An unknown number.
I opened the message.
**You?
The security officers?
I didn't know.
Then my phone vibrated.
An unknown number.
I opened the message.
*You should have stayed home, Grace. The twelve million is only the beginning.*
A second message arrived.
*Your son has already signed should have stayed home, Grace. The twelve million is only the beginning.*
A second message arrived.
*Your son has already signed away more than you realize.*
I showed Rebecca.
She immediately requested that the number be away more than you realize.**
I showed Rebecca.
She immediately requested that the number be preserved for investigators.
Then another message appeared.
This one contained a photograph of Noah.
He was standing outside the Carter preserved for investigators.
Then another message appeared.
This one contained a photograph of Noah.
He was standing outside the Carter headquarters.
The picture had been taken less than five minutes earlier.
My blood ran cold.
"Someone is watching us.""
Noah looked at headquarters.
The picture had been taken less than five minutes earlier.
My blood ran cold.
"Someone is watching us.""
Noah looked at the image.
"That's impossible. I haven't left the building.""
Helen turned toward the glass the image.
"That's impossible. I haven't left the building.""
Helen turned toward the glass walls.
"Security needs to check the perimeter.""
Two officers entered the room.
They searched the lobby and parking area walls.
"Security needs to check the perimeter.""
Two officers entered the room.
They searched the lobby and parking area.
Nothing unusual was found.
But as they returned, one of them approached Helen.
"Mrs. Brooks, there's a vehicle parked across the street. It's been there for approximately forty minutes.""
".
Nothing unusual was found.
But as they returned, one of them approached Helen.
"Mrs. Brooks, there's a vehicle parked across the street. It's been there for approximately forty minutes.""
"Can you identify the driver?""
"No. The windows are tinted.""
Rebecca looked at me.
"We should move to a secure location.""
I shook my head.
"Not until the bank confirms the freeze.""
For theCan you identify the driver?""
"No. The windows are tinted.""
Rebecca looked at me.
"We should move to a secure location.""
I shook my head.
"Not until the bank confirms the freeze.""
For the next forty minutes, Rebecca worked with the bank's fraud department.
She submitted the forged medical documents, the next forty minutes, Rebecca worked with the bank's fraud department.
She submitted the forged medical documents, the suspicious transfer records, and the board's resolution suspending Samuel.
Finally, Monica returned to the call.
"Mrs suspicious transfer records, and the board's resolution suspending Samuel.
Finally, Monica returned to the call.
"Mrs. Carter, we've placed a temporary hold on the transfer.""
I exhaled.
"Thank you.""
"But there's a complication.""
Rebecca. Carter, we've placed a temporary hold on the transfer.""
I exhaled.
"Thank you.""
"But there's a complication.""
Rebecca leaned forward.
"What complication?""
"The receiving account is linked to a holding company with an active escrow agreement. The funds leaned forward.
"What complication?""
"The receiving account is linked to a holding company with an active escrow agreement. The funds may be subject to a contractual dispute if the transaction isn't formally challenged.""
"Can the money still may be subject to a contractual dispute if the transaction isn't formally challenged.""
"Can the money still be recovered?""
"Possibly. But we recommend immediate legal action.""
Rebecca nodded.
"We'll handle that.""
After be recovered?""
"Possibly. But we recommend immediate legal action.""
Rebecca nodded.
"We'll handle that.""
After the call ended, Helen turned toward me.
"Grace, there's something else.""
She opened the internal access report the call ended, Helen turned toward me.
"Grace, there's something else.""
She opened the internal access report.
"Daniel Price accessed the Carter Grand account last night.""
"At what time?""
"11:52 p.m.""
"From where?""
Helen.
"Daniel Price accessed the Carter Grand account last night.""
"At what time?""
"11:52 p.m.""
"From where?""
Helen enlarged the record.
A private terminal.
Inside the Whitmore Development Group's headquarters.
Noah let enlarged the record.
A private terminal.
Inside the Whitmore Development Group's headquarters.
Noah let out a bitter laugh.
"They weren't even pretending anymore.""
I stared at the screen.
Then I noticed a second entry.
An account had accessed the out a bitter laugh.
"They weren't even pretending anymore.""
I stared at the screen.
Then I noticed a second entry.
An account had accessed the same records using an employee credential belonging to someone named Olivia Grant.
I recognized the name.
Olivia same records using an employee credential belonging to someone named Olivia Grant.
I recognized the name.
Olivia was the company's junior legal administrator.
She had started six months earlier.
"Who authorized her account?""
Helen checked.
" was the company's junior legal administrator.
She had started six months earlier.
"Who authorized her account?""
Helen checked.
"Daniel Price.""
I frowned.
"Have you spoken with her?""
"No.""
Rebecca looked at me.
"Perhaps we should.""
Daniel Price.""
I frowned.
"Have you spoken with her?""
"No.""
Rebecca looked at me.
"Perhaps we should.""
Olivia answered on the third call.
When Helen explained the situation, the young woman began crying.
"IOlivia answered on the third call.
When Helen explained the situation, the young woman began crying.
"I didn't know what they were doing.""
"Who asked you to access the files?"" Rebecca asked.
"Mr. Price.""
"What did he tell you?""
"He said didn't know what they were doing.""
"Who asked you to access the files?"" Rebecca asked.
"Mr. Price.""
"What did he tell you?""
"He said the documents were needed for a routine audit.""
"Did you send them to anyone?""
"Yes.""
"Who?""
Olivia hesitated.
"Mr the documents were needed for a routine audit.""
"Did you send them to anyone?""
"Yes.""
"Who?""
Olivia hesitated.
"Mr. Whitmore.""
Helen closed her eyes.
"Olivia, you need to preserve every email. Whitmore.""
Helen closed her eyes.
"Olivia, you need to preserve every email and message. Don't delete anything.""
"I will.""
Then Olivia added something.
"There's a folder you should look and message. Don't delete anything.""
"I will.""
Then Olivia added something.
"There's a folder you should look at. It's called Project Legacy.""
Rebecca immediately asked her to forward it.
Five minutes later, an email arrived.
The folder contained dozens of documents.
A list of company assets at. It's called Project Legacy.""
Rebecca immediately asked her to forward it.
Five minutes later, an email arrived.
The folder contained dozens of documents.
A list of company assets.
Property valuations.
Medical records.
Signature samples.
And a spreadsheet titled *CARTER FAMILY CONTROL PLAN*.
I opened it.
The.
Property valuations.
Medical records.
Signature samples.
And a spreadsheet titled *CARTER FAMILY CONTROL PLAN*.
I opened it.
The first column listed the names of people involved.
Richard Whitmore.
Elaine Whitmore.
Brittany Whitmore.
Daniel Price.
Samuel first column listed the names of people involved.
Richard Whitmore.
Elaine Whitmore.
Brittany Whitmore.
Daniel Price.
Samuel Bennett.
Margaret Ellis.
I felt a painful lump form in my throat.
Margaret had been paid to betray me.
Samuel had apparently Bennett.
Margaret Ellis.
I felt a painful lump form in my throat.
Margaret had been paid to betray me.
Samuel had apparently been paid to betray me.
Daniel had helped move the money.
And Brittany had used my son's love as a way into the company.
But there was another name on the spreadsheet.
Noah Carter.
Bes been paid to betray me.
Daniel had helped move the money.
And Brittany had used my son's love as a way into the company.
But there was another name on the spreadsheet.
Noah Carter.
Beside his name was a note.
*Final authorization required after marriage.*
I looked at my son.
Heide his name was a note.
*Final authorization required after marriage.*
I looked at my son.
He read it over my shoulder.
"After marriage?""
Rebecca opened the supporting document.
It was a copy of a marital property read it over my shoulder.
"After marriage?""
Rebecca opened the supporting document.
It was a copy of a marital property agreement.
The document Noah had signed three months earlier.
But this version contained an additional page.
It was dated two weeks after his signature agreement.
The document Noah had signed three months earlier.
But this version contained an additional page.
It was dated two weeks after his signature.
The page stated that Noah had voluntarily agreed to act as a beneficiary representative for Carter Financial Holdings.
It also claimed he had received independent legal advice.
He stared.
The page stated that Noah had voluntarily agreed to act as a beneficiary representative for Carter Financial Holdings.
It also claimed he had received independent legal advice.
He stared at it.
"I never saw this.""
Rebecca examined the signature.
"Someone added this page after the original document was signed.""
Noah shook his head.
"They at it.
"I never saw this.""
Rebecca examined the signature.
"Someone added this page after the original document was signed.""
Noah shook his head.
"They've been using my name.""
I reached for his hand.
"Then we'll prove it.""
He looked at me.
"Mom, what if they try've been using my name.""
I reached for his hand.
"Then we'll prove it.""
He looked at me.
"Mom, what if they try to put me in prison?""
Rebecca answered immediately.
"Your cooperation, the original agreement, and the electronic audit to put me in prison?""
Rebecca answered immediately.
"Your cooperation, the original agreement, and the electronic audit trail will matter. Don't speculate. Don't destroy anything. Let us establish trail will matter.
Don't speculate. Don't destroy anything. Let us establish exactly what happened.""
I nodded.
Then my phone rang.
It was Brittany.
I looked at Noah.
He shook his head.
"Don't answer.""
But exactly what happened.""
I nodded.
Then my phone rang.
It was Brittany.
I looked at Noah.
He shook his head.
"Don't answer.""
But I did.
"Hello, Brittany.""
Her voice was unusually calm.
"Grace, I think we need to stop I did.
"Hello, Brittany.""
Her voice was unusually calm.
"Grace, I think we need to stop this before everyone gets hurt.""
I almost laughed.
"You're a little late.""
"Please listen. My father has this before everyone gets hurt.""
I almost laughed.
"You're a little late.""
"Please listen. My father has made some terrible decisions.""
"Your father?""
She hesitated.
"Yes. He didn't tell me everything.""
I looked at the recording transcript on the table.
"Then explain why made some terrible decisions.""
"Your father?""
She hesitated.
"Yes. He didn't tell me everything.""
I looked at the recording transcript on the table.
"Then explain why you wrote to him that Noah had signed the first agreement and that you needed my medical authorization.""
Silence.
Then Brittany whispered, you wrote to him that Noah had signed the first agreement and that you needed my medical authorization.""
Silence.
Then Brittany whispered, "You weren't supposed to see that.""
I closed my eyes.
There it was.
Not a denial.
Not an explanation.
An admission.
"Why did you do it "You weren't supposed to see that.""
I closed my eyes.
There it was.
Not a denial.
Not an explanation.
An admission.
"Why did you do it?""
She started crying.
"Because I was trying to protect my future.""
"By stealing mine?""
"That's not fair!""
I felt my voice rise.
"You pushed?""
She started crying.
"Because I was trying to protect my future.""
"By stealing mine?""
"That's not fair!""
I felt my voice rise.
"You pushed me off a platform in front of three hundred people.""
"I didn't mean for you to fall!""
"But you wanted me out of the me off a platform in front of three hundred people.""
"I didn't mean for you to fall!""
"But you wanted me out of the photograph.""
She said nothing.
Then she spoke in a small voice.
"My father told me the property would eventually belong to Noah anyway photograph.""
She said nothing.
Then she spoke in a small voice.
"My father told me the property would eventually belong to Noah anyway.""
"Your father lied.""
"He said we could build a future with it.""
"Did you ever.""
"Your father lied.""
"He said we could build a future with it.""
"Did you ever love my son?""
She began crying harder.
"I did.""
"Then why did you do this?""
Her answer came after several seconds.
"Because my father said if I married Noah love my son?""
She began crying harder.
"I did.""
"Then why did you do this?""
Her answer came after several seconds.
"Because my father said if I married Noah, everything would finally be ours.""
I looked at Noah.
He had heard every word.
His face was expressionless.
I asked, everything would finally be ours.""
I looked at Noah.
He had heard every word.
His face was expressionless.
I asked one final question.
"Did you know about the false dementia diagnosis?""
Brittany stopped crying.
Then she whispered:
"Grace one final question.
"Did you know about the false dementia diagnosis?""
Brittany stopped crying.
Then she whispered:
"Grace, there was something else my father told me about your husband.""
My heart began pounding.
"What about Michael?""
"He said your, there was something else my father told me about your husband.""
My heart began pounding.
"What about Michael?""
"He said your husband didn't actually leave you the company.""
I gripped the phone.
"What are you talking about?""
Britt husband didn't actually leave you the company.""
I gripped the phone.
"What are you talking about?""
Brittany took a shaky breath.
"He said Michael had created another ownership agreement before he died. One that you never knew about.""
Rebecca immediately signaled for me to put the call on speakerany took a shaky breath.
"He said Michael had created another ownership agreement before he died. One that you never knew about.""
Rebecca immediately signaled for me to put the call on speaker.
I did.
"Who told you that?""
"My father.""
"Where is the agreement?""
"I don't know.""
"Does it exist?""
She hesitated.
Then she said:
"He told.
I did.
"Who told you that?""
"My father.""
"Where is the agreement?""
"I don't know.""
"Does it exist?""
She hesitated.
Then she said:
"He told me Michael left the controlling shares to someone else.""
I felt the room go cold.
"Who?""
Britt me Michael left the controlling shares to someone else.""
I felt the room go cold.
"Who?""
Brittany's voice dropped to a whisper.
"His business partner.""
And just as I opened my mouth to ask who she meant, the call disconnected.
Rebecca staredany's voice dropped to a whisper.
"His business partner.""
And just as I opened my mouth to ask who she meant, the call disconnected.
Rebecca stared at me.
"Grace, we need to investigate Michael's original estate documents.""
I looked at my husband's photograph on the phone screen.
For at me.
"Grace, we need to investigate Michael's original estate documents.""
I looked at my husband's photograph on the phone screen.
For the first time in thirty-eight years, I wondered whether the man I had loved had kept a secret from me.
May you like
And whether the Whitmores had known the first time in thirty-eight years, I wondered whether the man I had loved had kept a secret from me.
And whether the Whitmores had known about it all along.
