Chapter 10 - THE MAN BEHIND THE ARREST|
Ronin's arrest became the biggest story in Miami before sunrise.
News vans gathered outside the federal courthouse. Reporters repeated the same allegations: financial fraud, illegal shipping operations, misuse of charitable funds, and conspiracy.
Audrey watched the coverage from Miriam's office.
A photograph of Ronin appeared on the screen. His expression was unreadable as agents escorted him through the courthouse entrance.
The caption beneath his face called him a powerful businessman with suspected criminal connections.
Audrey turned off the television.
“Have you spoken to him?”
Miriam nodded.
“His attorney says he wants to see you.”
“Why?”
“He says he has information about Victor.”
Audrey looked at the clock.
“Arrange a meeting.”
The detention center was cold and brightly lit. Ronin sat behind a glass partition, wearing a plain gray shirt. Without his tailored suit and expensive watch, he looked older.
He picked up the phone.
“Audrey.”
She lifted the receiver.
“Why did you let Victor use the foundation?”
“I didn't know the full extent of it.”
“You knew enough.”
“Yes.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because I thought I could handle it.”
She almost smiled.
“That seems to be the family motto.”
Ronin looked down.
“I made mistakes.”
“You brought Celeste to our gala.”
“I was trying to get the ledger from her.”
“You could have told me.”
“I thought keeping you uninvolved would protect you.”
“Instead, you made me look like a fool in front of three hundred people.”
He closed his eyes.
“I know.”
Audrey waited.
“What do you know about Victor?”
Ronin leaned forward.
“He was hired by Douglas Prentiss. The foundation's expansion was supposed to give them access to several redevelopment contracts near the port. They used the charity as a legitimate front.”
“And the money?”
“Some was stolen. Some was used to pay people who could keep the shipping routes open.”
“Who gave the orders?”
“Victor. Douglas. A man named Peter Voss.”
“Who is Peter Voss?”
Ronin hesitated.
“My uncle.”
Audrey frowned.
“Your uncle?”
“He controlled the family business before I took over. He disappeared after a federal investigation twelve years ago.”
“Is he alive?”
“I believe so.”
“Why?”
“Because Victor has been using an old account that belonged to him.”
Audrey placed her hand against the glass.
“Ronin, listen to me. Someone threatened our baby.”
His expression changed.
“What?”
She showed him the message.
Ronin read it twice.
His jaw tightened.
“Who sent this?”
“I don't know.”
“Give the number to my attorney.”
“I already gave it to the investigators.”
He looked at her.
“I'm sorry.”
She did not answer.
“I know that doesn't fix anything,” he continued. “I know I can't ask you to come back. But I need you to understand that I never wanted you hurt.”
“You wanted control more than you wanted honesty.”
He lowered his head.
“Yes.”
A guard approached.
“Time.”
Ronin held Audrey's gaze.
“Don't sign anything. No matter what they threaten.”
She stood.
“I'm not signing.”
As she turned to leave, he called her name.
“Audrey.”
She stopped.
“If something happens to me, the original trust document is in the old Keane residence. Behind the library wall.”
“Why are you telling me?”
“Because it belongs to you. Not me.”
She left without answering.
Outside, Miriam was waiting.
“We found the person who sent the threat.”
“Who?”
“Douglas Prentiss.”
Audrey felt her anger return.
“Where is he?”
“He's disappeared.”
A second message arrived.
This one included a photograph of the Hail Foundation's new expansion site.
A red circle marked the unfinished building.
May you like
Underneath was a sentence:
Come alone if you want to know where the money went.
