Chapter 10 - THE TRUTH ABOUT LIONEL CRANE
Investigators uncovered communications between Victor Sloane and Lionel Crane.
The evidence suggested that Victor had facilitated unauthorized transfers through intermediary companies and concealed them in internal reports.
Crane's investment vehicle then presented funds linked to those transfers as evidence of available capital.
The investigation expanded.
Search warrants were executed.
Financial records were seized.
Victor was questioned.
Crane retained a team of attorneys and denied wrongdoing.
But the documents told a different story.
The authorities eventually filed charges involving fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering.
Victor was arrested.
Crane was arrested weeks later.
Aurelio learned the news in his office.
He sat alone for a long time.
Then he called me.
“Paola.”
“Yes?”
“They arrested Victor.”
I closed my eyes.
“I'm sorry.”
Aurelio was silent.
“He was family.”
I understood.
Betrayal was painful enough when it came from strangers.
From someone trusted for fourteen years, it could destroy the way a person understood his own life.
“You didn't know,” I said.
“I should have.”
“Maybe.”
He exhaled.
“You're not going to tell me it's all right?”
“No.”
He laughed bitterly.
“Good.”
I looked toward my spreadsheets.
“But you can decide what happens next.”
He was quiet.
May you like
Then he said:
“That's what I'm trying to do.”
