Chapter 6 - THE FILE THAT COULD DESTROY THE EMPIRE
The flash drive contained freight manifests, security logs, and encrypted correspondence.
Nicholas brought in an independent forensic investigator.
The results were devastating.
Several Caruso companies had been used to move undocumented workers and trafficking victims through fraudulent labor contracts.
Some victims were children.
Daniel Mercer had discovered the operation and tried to stop it.
Then he vanished.
The files implicated Victor Lang, Nicholas’s longtime chief financial officer.
Victor had served the Caruso organization for nineteen years.
Nicholas had trusted him with everything.
When confronted, Victor denied involvement.
“Those documents are fabricated.”
Nicholas placed a shipping manifest in front of him.
“Your authorization code appears on every page.”
“Someone copied it.”
“Then explain the bank transfers.”
Victor’s face tightened.
Nicholas understood.
The organization he believed he controlled had been operating without his knowledge.
Or perhaps, he admitted to himself, he had simply avoided looking closely enough.
That night, he told Maria the truth.
“My companies were used to hurt people.”
Maria stared.
“Did you know?”
“Not about this operation.”
She waited.
Nicholas continued.
“But I knew enough about the organization’s history that I should have demanded better oversight.”
Maria looked away.
“I don’t know whether I can trust you.”
May you like
Nicholas nodded.
“Then don’t. Not yet.”
