Chapter 12 - THE SIGNATURE SHE NEVER GAVE|
Catherine's first reaction was disbelief.
Her second was anger.
Her third was the cold understanding that someone had been preparing to frame her long before the gala.
"I never signed anything."
Agent Lawson nodded.
"We believe you."
"Then why is my authorization code on the transfer?"
"Because someone copied your electronic signature from Bennett Freight's old financial system."
Catherine looked at the document.
The signature was convincing. The date was false. The authorization code had been retired years earlier, but the person using it had known exactly where to find it.
"Who had access to the original system?"
"Your father, several senior accountants, and the people who handled the company's debt restructuring."
"Enzo."
"And Daniel Mercer," Matteo added.
Agent Lawson agreed.
"The records suggest the money was moved through several accounts before reaching a private trust. We need to identify the final beneficiary."
Catherine studied the transaction history.
A small detail caught her attention: every transfer occurred on the first business day after a major public announcement by the Balori Foundation.
She began writing dates on a notepad.
"The money isn't moving randomly. It's following the development schedule."
Matteo leaned over her shoulder.
"Explain."
"Each transfer corresponds to a new property acquisition. The funds are being used to purchase the waterfront sites through separate companies. If the trust vote passes, those companies become part of the foundation's development portfolio."
"And the money disappears into legitimate property assets," Gabriel said.
Catherine nodded.
"Exactly."
Agent Lawson looked impressed.
"Can you trace the companies?"
"I can identify the accounting structure. I cannot prove who controls every shell company without access to the banking records."
"That's enough to begin."
For the next six hours, Catherine worked with the agents. She mapped transfers, identified duplicate invoices, and connected several companies to the same law firm.
The work steadied her.
Numbers did not lie because they were frightened or ashamed. People did.
Near midnight, she found an invoice for emergency structural repairs at the warehouse that had burned.
The invoice had been issued three days before the fire.
The listed contractor was Arden Strategic.
The approving signature was Celeste's.
But the authorization code belonged to Enzo.
"She may have signed the contract without understanding the final purpose," Catherine said.
Matteo studied the invoice.
"Or she knew exactly what she was doing."
Catherine did not defend Celeste.
"Either way, she has to answer for it."
A knock sounded at the office door.
A nurse entered with a message for Catherine.
"Your obstetrician called. She wants you to come in tomorrow morning for a follow-up."
"Is something wrong?"
"She didn't say. She only asked that you call her."
Catherine's heart began to race.
Matteo stood immediately.
"We'll go now."
"No. The appointment is tomorrow. I'm not going to let every unknown become a catastrophe."
He stopped.
Then he nodded.
"You're right."
The small exchange hurt more than it should have. He was trying to learn how to listen, and she was trying to determine whether his effort would survive the first real test.
After the agents left, Matteo stood by the window.
"I remember the night my mother died," he said. "My father wasn't there. He was at a private dinner with Enzo and three investors. I spent years telling myself that business sometimes demanded sacrifices."
Catherine looked at him.
"And now?"
"Now I know that phrase can become an excuse for anything."
He turned toward her.
"I don't expect you to forgive me. But I want you to know that I am done using the family name to protect people who harm others."
Catherine believed he meant it.
She did not yet know whether meaning it would be enough.
Her phone rang.
Dr. Shaw.
Catherine answered quickly.
"Doctor?"
"I need to speak with you privately."
"Is the baby all right?"
"The heartbeat was strong at your last examination. But someone has requested a change to your medical file, and I need you to understand what was attempted."
Catherine's fingers tightened around the phone.
"What was changed?"
"Your emergency contact information."
"To whom?"
May you like
There was a pause.
"Enzo Balori."
