Chapter 3 - THE ACCOUNT THAT DIDN'T EXIST
On Monday morning, Khloe discovered a transaction that should not have existed.
She was reviewing monthly reconciliation reports at HarborPoint Financial when a familiar company name appeared.
Meridian Security.
The transfer was for $2.8 million.
The receiving account belonged to a consulting company called Northstar Advisory.
Khloe frowned.
Northstar had no registered employees.
No active business address.
And no legitimate reason to receive seven-figure payments.
She checked the previous six months.
There were eleven similar transfers.
Total value: $19.6 million.
Every payment had been approved using credentials belonging to HarborPoint's senior compliance officer.
Jared's new girlfriend, Vanessa Reed.
Khloe stared at the screen.
Vanessa had been one of the people who insisted Jared was harmless.
She had also helped him obtain Khloe's new address.
Khloe printed the transaction summary.
Then stopped.
Someone was standing behind her.
“Working late?”
Vanessa.
Khloe closed the folder.
“Just finishing reconciliation.”
Vanessa smiled.
“You should take a break.”
“Maybe.”
Vanessa's eyes moved toward the printer.
“What's that?”
“Routine paperwork.”
“Let me see.”
Khloe hesitated.
Vanessa's smile disappeared.
“Khloe.”
For a moment, Khloe heard Jared's voice in the way Vanessa said her name.
She stood.
“I need to speak to my supervisor.”
Vanessa stepped into her path.
“About what?”
Khloe looked at her.
“That's something I'll discuss with him.”
She walked past.
That evening, she received a text from an unknown number.
STOP LOOKING AT NORTHSTAR.
Her hands went cold.
May you like
A second message arrived.
YOU SHOULD HAVE STAYED UNDER THE TABLE.
