The order came down that afternoon.

My father’s home was frozen safe, untouchable, while the truth did its slow work — and the animal that had been circling it went hungry.

Chapter 18 — The Referral

I did not have to ruin Desmond.

I only had to hand the truth to the people whose job it is, and step back, and let the machinery he’d spent his life gaming finally turn the other way.

The forensic accounting told its own story — offshore routing, funds moved through accounts I’d never been shown, the loan solicited under circumstances the state was very interested in.