Chapter 9 - THE MAN WHO SOLD A MEMORY
Victor Sloane was not famous.
That was what made him useful.
He attended charity galas without appearing in photographs.
He managed private accounts for wealthy families.
He served on boards, signed contracts, and moved through Chicago's financial circles without attracting attention.
According to Grace, he had helped create the foundation's questionable consulting arrangements.
He also had connections to the trust that purchased Lucia's necklace.
The auditors examined the available records.
The auction sale appeared to involve a conflict of interest that had not been properly disclosed.
Other transactions raised questions about authorization and valuation.
Lorenzo wanted the necklace returned immediately.
Isabella stopped him again.
“Let the lawyers handle it.”
He sighed.
“Mama.”
She raised an eyebrow.
He surrendered.
I nearly laughed.
Meanwhile, my work at the foundation grew more demanding.
Families called every day.
Some were angry.
Some were desperate.
Some simply wanted someone to explain why promised help had never arrived.
I couldn't fix everything.
But I could listen.
I could document.
I could make sure their questions reached the people responsible for answering them.
One afternoon, a woman named Hannah Pierce arrived with her eight-year-old son.
He used a wheelchair and carried a toy dinosaur.
Hannah explained that the foundation had approved assistance for modifications to their apartment entrance.
The money never arrived.
She'd spent months calling.
Nobody answered.
I reviewed her paperwork.
Then contacted the administrator responsible for the restitution process being developed.
The case was flagged for urgent review.
Hannah began crying.
“Thank you.”
I shook my head.
“I haven't fixed anything yet.”
She smiled through tears.
“You listened.”
That evening, I told Lorenzo about her.
He looked at me for a long moment.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“Lorenzo.”
He smiled.
“You're doing exactly what my mother hoped the foundation would do.”
I looked down.
For some reason, that meant more than any compliment I'd ever received.
Then Antonio arrived.
His expression was grim.
“Lorenzo, we have a problem.”
Lorenzo stood.
“What?”
“Victor Sloane has requested immunity discussions through his attorney.”
I frowned.
“From what?”
Antonio looked toward me.
“His lawyer says he can identify the person who directed the diversion of foundation funds.”
Lorenzo's expression hardened.
“Beatrice?”
Antonio hesitated.
“Possibly.”
Then he added:
“But Sloane claims Senator Vane knew about the transactions.”
The next morning, Senator Charles Vane publicly announced that he was separating from his wife's charitable activities pending the investigation.
Beatrice called the announcement a betrayal.
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Then she disappeared from public view.
And for the first time, the woman who had humiliated Isabella Moretti appeared to be losing control.
