Chapter 6 - THE MISSING MILLION
The forensic accounting report arrived three weeks after the gala.
Celeste sat with Naomi and the independent accountant, Marcus Bell.
Marcus opened a spreadsheet.
“We've identified approximately 1.3 million dollars in payments requiring further explanation.”
Celeste stared.
“From the charity?”
“Not all of it. Some payments came from corporate marketing accounts. Others were associated with donor-funded programs.”
He pointed to several entries.
“The concern is that the same services appear to have been billed multiple times.”
Celeste looked at the screen.
Dana's company appeared repeatedly.
So did two unfamiliar vendors.
One was registered in Delaware.
The other in London.
Marcus continued.
“There's also evidence of invoice splitting.”
Celeste frowned.
“What does that mean?”
“Large payments may have been divided into smaller invoices to avoid certain approval thresholds.”
Naomi leaned forward.
“Can you establish who authorized them?”
“Some approvals are traceable. Others require additional records.”
Celeste nodded.
She had learned to appreciate careful answers.
Certainty mattered.
Then Marcus opened another document.
“This concerns the Mercer Children's Housing Initiative.”
Celeste leaned closer.
The nonprofit had received less money than the gala's public reports indicated.
Some pledged funds remained in accounts controlled by Harmon Capital.
Other amounts had been charged against administrative expenses that appeared unusually high.
Celeste felt sick.
“These families were waiting for housing assistance.”
Marcus nodded.
“I understand.”
She stared at the figures.
A child undergoing chemotherapy.
A mother sleeping in a hospital chair.
A father driving three hours every day because the family couldn't afford a hotel.
She had met those people.
She knew their names.
And someone had treated their donations like a private expense account.
Celeste stood.
“I want the nonprofit protected.”
Naomi nodded.
“We'll work with its independent trustees.”
The investigation widened.
Harmon Capital's board hired an outside law firm.
Several employees were interviewed.
Dana's consulting contracts were suspended.
Allison remained on leave.
Margaret insisted the payments were legitimate.
But the documents were becoming harder to explain.
One evening, Celeste received an unexpected call.
“Mrs. Harmon?”
“Yes?”
“My name is Thomas Mercer.”
She froze.
Thomas was the founder of the children's housing initiative.
He was seventy-one, a retired pediatric oncologist.
“I saw what happened at the gala,” he said.
Celeste closed her eyes.
“I'm sorry.”
“Don't apologize.”
She swallowed.
“I should have caught this earlier.”
Thomas was silent.
Then said:
“You caught it when you had enough evidence to act.”
Celeste began crying.
He continued.
“The families need us to keep working. Can you help?”
She wiped her eyes.
“Yes.”
The following week, Celeste joined an independent fundraising committee.
No Harmon branding.
No luxury hotel.
No champagne speeches.
Just a practical plan to restore donor confidence and support families.
For the first time in years, she worked without anyone taking credit for her ideas.
It felt unfamiliar.
And wonderful.
Then Naomi called.
“Celeste, Allison wants to make a formal statement.”
Celeste stared.
“About what?”
“His relationship with Dana.”
She closed her eyes.
“And?”
May you like
Naomi hesitated.
“He says he's ready to tell the truth.”
