Chapter 6 - The Web Tightens
Marian arrived at the house within forty-five minutes, accompanied by a forensic document expert and a private investigator. When Marian saw the contents of the basement safe laid out on the kitchen island, her usually stoic face transformed into pure disbelief.
""This idiot kept a physical trophy case of his own federal crimes,"" Marian muttered, carefully placing the counterfeit notary stamp into an evidence bag using nitrile gloves. ""Counterfeiting an official state seal, bank fraud, wire fraud, identity theft, and tax evasion. He even kept the receipt for the custom stamp order from an overseas website.""
The private investigator plugged one of the thumb drives into his laptop. A directory appeared on screen titled Project Clean Slate. Inside were detailed spreadsheets tracking the 1.4 million dollars in siphoned bridge loans. Graham had already transferred eight hundred thousand dollars into an account at a private bank in Belize.
""Look at the date on this final wire transfer,"" the investigator pointed out. ""It was scheduled for tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM. Once that transfer cleared, Graham was planning to catch a 3:00 PM flight from Atlanta to Costa Rica, then on to Belize.""
""He was never going to contest the divorce,"" I realized aloud, the full scope of his betrayal hitting me. ""He wanted me served in public so I would be paralyzed with shame, sign the thirty-day waiver, and stay quiet while he slipped out of the country before the balloon payment defaulted on December first.""
""Exactly,"" Marian said grimly. ""By the time the banks realized the payments weren't coming, Graham would have been sipping rum on a beach outside US jurisdiction, and the county sheriff would have been knocking on your door to seize the house and your father's timberland.""
Just then, my phone rang again. It was Paul Reynolds.
""Helen?"" Paul’s voice was tense and hushed. ""Graham is at my house right now. He showed up an hour ago, reeking of bourbon, begging me to lend him fifty thousand dollars in cash. He’s completely unhinged. He keeps saying that you stole his life's work and that he needs to get to Atlanta before morning.""
I looked at Marian, who was already scribbling notes on her pad. ""Paul, is he still there?""
""He’s in my guest room tearing through his duffle bags looking for something,"" Paul whispered. ""He keeps muttering about a blue folder he left in the basement safe. Helen, he’s talking about going back to your house tonight to get it.""
Marian tapped the table, signaling me to keep him on the line. She pulled out her personal phone and dialed the direct line to Detective Harris at the Metro Nashville Police Financial Crimes Division.
""Paul,"" I said steadily into the receiver. ""Listen to me very carefully. Do not try to stop him, and do not put yourself in danger. Tell him you don't have the cash at home, but that you can go to your branch ATM first thing in the morning to pull whatever you can.""
""I don't think he's going to wait until morning, Helen,"" Paul said anxiously. ""He just ordered an Uber. He told me he’s going to Sycamore Ridge to get what's his, and if you’re in the way, he’s going to make you regret ever meeting him.""
""Let him come,"" Marian whispered quietly, catching my eye with a steely resolve. ""Detective Harris and three squad cars are less than five minutes away.""
I gripped the edge of the kitchen counter. For twelve years, I had walked on eggshells to keep Graham from losing his temper. I had apologized for things that weren't my fault just to keep the peace.
""Paul, thank you,"" I said calmly. ""Stay safe with Linda. I'll handle Graham.""
I hung up the phone and walked to the front window. Outside, the quiet suburban street was bathed in the pale glow of the streetlights. A light rain had begun to fall, slicking the pavement.
May you like
""Helen, you should wait in the back office with the investigator,"" Marian suggested gently.
""No,"" I replied, standing tall under the foyer light. ""I spent twelve years hiding from his temper in this house. Tonight, he's going to look me in the eye when the truth catches up to him.""
