Chapter 16 - THE FINAL INSTRUCTION|
Victor Shaw agreed to meet investigators through his attorney.
He did not meet Claire privately, and he did not attempt to negotiate directly with Roman. The interviews were conducted under appropriate legal procedures, with records preserved and questions documented.
Victor explained that Northstar had originally been established as a consulting company for redevelopment projects.
He admitted that he had authorized several payments connected to the dormant family account, but he claimed the transactions were intended to settle outstanding obligations.
He denied authorizing the use of Claire's signature.
When asked about the disputed amendment, he said Richard Hale had presented it as an administrative correction.
“Did you verify Thomas Vale's signature?” an investigator asked.
“No.”
“Why not?”
Victor looked down.
“Because I trusted Richard.”
“Did you know Thomas Vale was dead?”
“Of course.”
The investigator paused.
“Then why did you accept the document?”
Victor swallowed.
“I thought the signature had been placed on an earlier version. I didn't examine the date carefully.”
It was an explanation, not proof of innocence.
The investigators continued.
Victor acknowledged that Northstar had received money from several companies connected to the redevelopment project. He said he had not personally benefited from the disputed transfers, but the records would need to establish whether that claim was accurate.
Then he described a meeting with Ethan Crowe.
According to Victor, Ethan had wanted to secure short-term financing for Crowe Development. Richard suggested using Northstar to structure certain consulting expenses.
Victor said he objected when the proposal began using C.W. Atelier's identity.
“Why didn't you report it?” the investigator asked.
“Because I believed the problem could be corrected internally.”
“Did you tell Ethan the documents were improper?”
“I told him the arrangement was risky.”
“Did you tell him Claire's signature was unauthorized?”
Victor hesitated.
“I don't remember using those exact words.”
The answer was damning in its uncertainty.
Meanwhile, Ethan provided his own account through his attorney. He admitted that he had approved the consulting arrangement but denied knowingly authorizing the forged signature.
His statements were compared with the emails, financial records, and document history.
The investigation was no longer focused on a single villain.
It was examining a chain of decisions, each person claiming that someone else had been responsible.
Claire found the process exhausting.
She had wanted the truth, but the truth arrived in pieces, often accompanied by new questions.
One evening, she sat with Rebecca reviewing the latest report.
“Do you think Ethan knew?”
Rebecca considered the evidence.
“I think we have enough to challenge his version of events. Whether he knowingly authorized the forgery is a question investigators must resolve.”
Claire nodded.
“I don't need him to be a monster. I need the facts.”
“That's the right approach.”
The next day, Victor submitted a signed statement identifying Richard Hale as the person who had instructed him to use the amended agreement.
He also provided a series of emails in which Richard discussed moving funds through Northstar and described C.W. Atelier as a suitable temporary vendor.
One message contained the final instruction.
Use the event company. The owner will not challenge the paperwork while Crowe is still involved.
Claire stared at the sentence.
She had been chosen because someone believed her relationship with Ethan would make her easy to manipulate.
Not because she was incompetent.
Not because she was careless.
Because they believed love would silence her.
Roman read the email beside her.
“I wish I'd seen this sooner.”
“You didn't create it.”
“But I could have noticed the pattern when Victor left.”
Claire turned toward him.
“You're allowed to have missed something. What matters is what you do now.”
He took her hand.
“I'm glad you're here.”
“So am I.”
For the first time, they did not pull away immediately.
But the next development came before they could enjoy the moment.
Richard Hale had failed to appear for a scheduled interview.
His attorney reported that he had left town for a family emergency.
Investigators could not immediately determine his location.
Then a financial institution reported an attempted transfer from an account linked to Northstar.
The amount was smaller than the original disputed loan, but the destination was the same.
May you like
Richard was trying to move money again.
And this time, the transaction carried a note referencing Claire by name.
