Chapter 8 - THE SECRET INSIDE WHITMORE DEVELOPMENT
The financial scandal began with a whistleblower.
A woman named Rachel Pierce had worked as an accountant for Whitmore Development.
She contacted an investigative journalist with records suggesting that Graham's company had misused funds intended for affordable housing projects.
The allegations were serious.
Several development grants had been approved.
Money had been transferred.
But some projects remained unfinished.
Rachel claimed internal records showed payments to shell companies connected to Graham's associates.
The journalist began investigating.
Then Graham's campaign announced that the allegations were politically motivated.
I watched the news from my temporary apartment.
My stomach tightened.
I recognized one of the company names.
Harper Community Outreach.
My surname.
I had never heard of the organization.
I called Elena.
“There's something you need to see.”
She arrived an hour later.
I showed her the report.
Elena frowned.
“Did you ever sign documents for Graham's company?”
I thought back.
Then remembered.
Six months earlier, Graham had asked me to sign several papers.
He said they were related to a charity initiative.
I hadn't read them carefully.
I had trusted him.
My chest tightened.
“Oh God.”
Elena looked at me.
May you like
“What?”
“I think he used my name.”
