Chapter 5 - THE SECRET BEHIND THE CHARITY BALL
The charity ball had been organized to raise money for a children's medical foundation.
At least, that was what the invitations claimed.
Ravi had attended because several of his legitimate companies were major donors.
But he had also been investigating irregularities in the foundation's accounts.
Money had disappeared.
Invoices had been duplicated.
And several vendors had received payments for services they never provided.
One of those vendors was a catering company managed by Leonard Pike.
When Ravi explained this to Diane, she stared.
"You're saying my employer stole from a children's charity?"
"I'm saying the records suggest someone did."
Diane looked down.
She remembered the children pictured on the foundation's website.
The hospital equipment.
The families who depended on donations.
"That's disgusting."
Ravi watched her.
"Yes."
He opened another file.
Inside were payment records.
Diane recognized the catering company's logo.
Then something else.
A signature.
She leaned forward.
"Wait."
Ravi looked up.
"What?"
Diane pointed.
"That's not Mr. Pike's signature."
Ravi frowned.
"How do you know?"
"Because I process the weekly supply forms. He signs them."
She examined the document.
"This is different."
Ravi studied her.
"Are you certain?"
Diane nodded.
"Yes."
He handed her another page.
She examined it.
Then frowned.
"This one is fake too."
Ravi leaned back.
For the first time, he seemed genuinely impressed.
"You notice details."
Diane shrugged.
"When you spend your life trying not to make mistakes, you learn to notice things."
Ravi looked toward the window.
Then said:
"Someone used your employer's company to move money."
Diane swallowed.
"And Catherine?"
Ravi's expression hardened.
"Her father sits on the foundation's board."
Diane stared.
The kiss had not been random.
May you like
It had been a distraction.
And someone had chosen a desperate waitress to make it happen.
