Chapter 7 - The Dawn Deposition
By 4:00 AM, Helen was sitting in the conference room of Vance & Associates on the twelfth floor of a glass tower in Columbus.
Marcus had brought in two forensic auditors and an investigator from the state attorney general's consumer protection division.
The thirty-seven gold logos lay laid out on black velvet across the polished oak conference table beside the black composition notebook.
Special Agent Henderson from Homeland Security Investigations examined the metal tags with a magnifying glass.
"These aren't just cheap street knockoffs," Henderson noted, shaking his head with professional appreciation.
"The hardware is cast from high-grade zinc alloy, and the plating is real fourteen-karat gold wash."
"He was importing the raw unassembled materials from an illicit syndicate in Shenzhen, assembling them in his shed, and applying counterfeit trademark stamps," Helen explained.
"He sold them exclusively to local residents for cash or personal checks written to his shell company."
Marcus slid an emergency asset freeze petition in front of the federal agent.
"My client discovered this evidence tonight while defrosting her personal refrigerator."
"She is voluntarily surrendering the ledger, the hardware, and the location of the manufacturing facility in exchange for complete criminal immunity and whistleblower protection."
Agent Henderson signed the legal covenant without hesitation, stamping it with the official seal of the Department of Homeland Security.
"Mrs. Carter, you've just handed us the missing link in a multi-state counterfeit ring we've been tracking for fourteen months."
"Your husband wasn't just working alone; he was the primary regional finisher for three distribution networks in Ohio and Pennsylvania."
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"His offshore accounts are being frozen through federal international warrants as we speak," Marcus said, looking at Helen with immense respect.
"And your divorce petition has been electronically filed with the county clerk, citing felony fraud and dissipation of marital assets."
