Chapter 4 - THE CRIMINAL WHO TOLD THE TRUTH
Harper spent the next week reviewing old financial investigations.
The same names appeared repeatedly.
Waterfront contractors.
Municipal officials.
Private security companies.
And a holding company called Harbor Crest Holdings.
Its registered address led to an empty office.
Its directors were difficult to identify.
And its payments appeared in several city redevelopment projects.
Harper requested assistance from the financial crimes unit.
Her supervisor, Captain Marcus Vale, dismissed the concern.
“Lane, you're chasing accounting errors.”
Harper stared.
“Three million dollars moved through a company with no employees.”
Vale shrugged.
“That's what shell companies do.”
“Exactly.”
He leaned back.
“Do you have evidence of a crime?”
“Not enough yet.”
“Then stop wasting department resources.”
Harper left his office furious.
Owen waited beside her desk.
“How'd it go?”
She looked at him.
“He wants us to drop it.”
Owen frowned.
“Why?”
“Apparently missing millions aren't interesting.”
Owen glanced toward Vale's office.
Then lowered his voice.
“Harper, there's something you should see.”
He handed her a folder.
Inside were old disciplinary records.
Several officers had been investigated for improper financial relationships.
The complaints had been closed.
The same supervisor had signed off on each one.
Marcus Vale.
Harper looked up.
“Owen.”
He nodded.
“I know.”
She stared at the signatures.
May you like
For the first time, Rose Bellini's warning felt less like paranoia.
And more like a map.
