Thomas closed his eyes. Vincent had turned Helena’s kindness into a tool for his own enrichment. He had waited for Laura to die to execute his plan completely.
What do we need to arrest him? Daniel already had the answer ready. Concrete evidence of the embezzlement. I have the altar documents, but we need to link the diverted money directly to him.
Bank accounts, transfers, something indisputable. Thomas stood up. Schedule the meeting with Vincent for tomorrow at 9. I’ll make him confess.
Vincent Clark entered the meeting room at 9 sharp. Impeccably dressed, confident smile, leather briefcase under his arm. He didn’t know that Daniel was hidden in the next room with recording equipment, nor that two private investigators were waiting downstairs.
Thomas sat at the head of the table, documents spread before him. Thomas, good to see you, Vincent said, extending his hand. Thomas didn’t shake it.
He simply pointed to the chair on the opposite side of the table. Sit down, Vincent. We need to talk about the foundation.
Vincent’s smile faltered for a second before returning. He sat down, placing the briefcase carefully beside him. Of course.
What do you want to know? Thomas slid the first document across the table. I want to know about Laura Davies and her daughters. He saw the color drain from Vincent’s face.
Ah. So the girls found you, he said. It wasn’t a question.
Vincent knew exactly what had happened. You knew those children. You visited them every month.
Why? Thomas kept his voice calm, though his fingers pressed the edge of the table tightly. Vincent sighed, as if about to share a heavy burden. Your wife asked me to look after them in case something happened to Laura.
It was one of her special projects. I was only fulfilling her wishes. Thomas pushed another document forward.
This is the original fund Helena created. 60,000 for treatment and basic expenses. Then he slid a third paper.
And this is the amendment you filed three months after her death. 500,000. With you as emergency guardian.
He leaned forward. Helena never authorized that, did she? The silence that followed was heavy. Vincent looked at the documents, then at Thomas.
The mask of kindness was cracking. You don’t understand. I was protecting her legacy.
Those children needed more than 60,000. Laura was dying. Someone had to have legal authority to care for them properly.
Legal authority, Thomas repeated slowly. Or access to half a million dollars without oversight. He pulled more papers from the pile.
Let me show you something else interesting. In the last two years, the foundation approved two million in projects. Project Hope.
New Dawn Initiative. Community Support Center. Thomas tossed each document onto the table.
Do you know what they all have in common? None of them exist. Vincent stood abruptly, his chair scraping the floor. You can’t prove any of that.
But his voice trembled. Thomas remained seated, composed. Actually, I can.
My lawyer tracked every transaction. Every cent that left the foundation went to phantom accounts you created. Accounts that eventually transferred the money to offshore holdings in your name.
The door opened and Daniel entered, followed by two men in suits. Vincent looked from one to the other, trapped. This is ridiculous.
I dedicated years to the foundation. I honored every one of Helena’s wishes. Thomas finally stood, placing his hands on the table.
You used my wife’s name to steal. Worse, you manipulated a dying woman and her daughters as part of your scheme. I took care of those girls.
Vincent shouted, losing control. I brought money every month. I paid bills.
I did more for them than you ever did. Thomas slowly circled the table. You did all that so you could access the fund when Laura died.
How much were you planning to steal from them? Half. All of it. Vincent backed up, hitting the wall.
They’d never know the difference. They’re just poor kids. That money means a lot more to me than to them…
