Chapter 16 - Turning the Screws
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By four o'clock that afternoon, Detective Morris had secured an emergency judicial warrant. Instead of sending a team of police cars with flashing lights to Martin Shaw’s historic home, Lena arranged a final video conference call from my hospital room.
She wanted me to lead the interrogation.
When Martin Shaw’s face appeared on the tablet screen, he looked relaxed, sipping tea in his quiet study.
“Good afternoon, Hannah, Detective Morris,” Martin said smoothly. “Have you made any further progress with the district attorney regarding Adrian’s plea terms?”
“We’re not here to talk about Adrian, Mr. Shaw,” I said, leaning forward. “We’re here to talk about line item 402 on Northstar Advisory Group’s master ledger.”
Martin froze. The teacup stayed hovering inches from his lips for a fraction of a second before he carefully set it back down on its saucer.
“I’m not sure I follow you, Hannah.”
“The Harbor Foundation,” I stated clearly. “Forty-two thousand dollars wired every quarter from Northstar’s Delaware account. Over six hundred thousand dollars total. Signed off by you as trustee.”
Martin’s calm, grandfatherly facade began to crack at the edges. “The Harbor Foundation was a legitimate philanthropic organization that provided grants—”
“The Harbor Foundation legally dissolved six years ago, Mr. Shaw,” I interrupted sharply, dropping my forensic accountant persona like a hammer. “Yet the wire transfers continued every three months without fail until last month. That isn't philanthropy. That is tax evasion, money laundering, and illegal asset conversion.”
Martin closed his eyes slowly. When he opened them again, the frail old man act was completely gone. In its place was a cold, calculating legal mind.
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“You are very good at your job, Hannah,” Martin murmured softly. “Thomas always said you were brilliant with numbers.”
“Why was Northstar sending you money, Martin?” I demanded. “Were you blackmailing Vivian? Or were you helping her steal Thomas’s estate from the beginning?”
