The records have to support it.”

I had wanted somebody to say there could be no innocent explanation.

Instead, she gave me a way to test whatever explanation Richard offered.

That was more useful.

Another transfer was nine thousand, eight hundred dollars.

Its recipient had a different name but a connection that needed checking against the company documents.

The accountant wouldn’t call the relationship proven merely because Daniel recognized an address.

By the end of the meeting, each transaction had its own line: date, amount, source account, recipient, supporting record, unanswered question.