Chapter 4 - The Mafia Boss Made Me an Offer
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Jack led us into a private conference room overlooking Elliott Bay.
The windows stretched from floor to ceiling.
Outside, Seattle's lights shimmered through the rain.
Inside, the atmosphere was suffocating.
David sat opposite me.
Jennifer stood near the window, pretending to inspect her phone.
Jack remained at the head of the table.
He had the kind of presence that made expensive furniture seem unnecessary.
“Let's establish something,” he said.
His voice was almost conversational.
“I'm not interested in a public spectacle.”
Jennifer looked relieved.
“Thank God.”
Jack turned toward her.
“I'm interested in finding out why money connected to my charitable foundation appears to have been transferred to companies nobody can explain.”
Jennifer's relief vanished.
David cleared his throat.
“These are standard investment arrangements.”
Jack looked at him.
“Then you'll have no difficulty documenting them.”
David nodded too quickly.
“Of course.”
“Good. My attorneys will request the records.”
Jennifer suddenly stepped forward.
“Jack, you're humiliating me in front of a stranger.”
I almost laughed.
“A stranger? Jennifer, you've been seeing my husband for months.”
She ignored me.
Jack folded his hands.
“Then perhaps you should have considered the audience before choosing the activity.”
David shifted in his chair.
I watched Jack carefully.
He wasn't behaving like a jealous husband.
He was behaving like a businessman who had discovered something rotten inside his company.
That frightened David even more.
After several uncomfortable minutes, Jack instructed his security director to arrange separate transportation for Jennifer and David.
I stood to leave.
“Mrs. Martinez,” Jack said.
I stopped.
“Stay a moment.”
David immediately objected.
“Jack, my wife has nothing to do with this.”
Jack looked at him.
“Then you shouldn't be concerned.”
David's jaw tightened.
A guard escorted him toward the door.
As he passed me, he whispered:
“You're going to regret this.”
I held his gaze.
“I already regret twelve years of it.”
When the others left, Jack gestured toward the chair opposite him.
I remained standing.
“What do you want?”
“To offer you a professional arrangement.”
I frowned.
“You're joking.”
“Rarely.”
He pushed the documents toward me.
“You understand financial investigations.”
“I understand enough to know I shouldn't get involved in your business.”
“Yet you're already involved.”
Unfortunately, he was right.
Jack continued.
“I need someone who can distinguish legitimate transactions from whatever David and Jennifer have been doing.”
“Hire an accountant.”
“I have accountants.”
“Then hire better ones.”
For the first time, Jack laughed.
It was brief.
Almost reluctant.
“You really have no instinct for self-preservation.”
“I've survived twelve years with David. My instincts are excellent.”
His amusement faded.
“Clare, someone used your identity. That makes you a potential witness and possibly a target.”
I felt my stomach tighten.
“Target of whom?”
“That's what I intend to find out.”
He took a business card from his pocket.
“Have your attorney contact mine. If you choose to help review the records, you'll be paid fairly, and we'll establish boundaries.”
I examined the card.
“And if I refuse?”
“Then I respect your decision.”
I looked up, surprised.
Jack continued.
“But I strongly recommend you don't go home without making sure your accounts and documents are secure.”
At that moment, my phone vibrated.
Another message from David.
Don't open the safe in my office.
I stared at the screen.
Then slowly looked at Jack.
“What safe?” he asked.
May you like
I swallowed.
“The one my husband told me didn't exist.”
