Chapter 6 - The Forensic Audit Unveils All
By Wednesday, the investigation into the Bennett family's financial entanglements had yielded explosive results. Victoria and my forensic accounting team dropped an encrypted report onto my desk that made my stomach turn, even though I already knew they were capable of deceit.
It wasn't just the HELOC.
“Look at this spreadsheet, Claire,” Victoria pointed out during our afternoon briefing, tapping her finger on a highlighted line item. “Margaret’s apartment didn't just flood by coincidence last month. Her plumbing system was intentionally compromised by a contractor recommended by Thomas.”
I stared at her, stunned. “Are you telling me they staged the flood so they could move into my house?”
“Oh, it gets better,” Victoria said, flipping to the next page. “Once inside, Thomas and Vanessa systematically accessed your home office while you were at work. They copied your corporate tax ID numbers and property deeds. They were planning a full-scale asset transfer. If you hadn't caught that second bank alert on Sunday, they would have had the title transferred into a shell corporation controlled by Margaret within forty-eight hours.”
The cold fury that had sustained me all week surged into a white-hot flame. They hadn't just been rude or manipulative; they were organized economic predators who viewed my hard work as their personal piggy bank.
“Can we add conspiracy and grand larceny to the criminal referral?” I asked, my voice deadly quiet.
May you like
“We can, and we already have,” Victoria replied with a sharp, lethal smile. “The DA’s office took one look at our evidence packet and expedited the arrest warrants for Thomas and Daniel for accessory to wire fraud and attempted identity theft. Margaret is being brought in for questioning as the primary mastermind.”
“Let the legal system do its work,” I said, looking out at the city lights beginning to flicker on across the skyline. “I want every single asset protection measure locked down permanently.”
