She had questions about foundation spending.

She feared her concerns were being dismissed because she was a wife rather than a finance professional.

“I don’t want you to assume I’m right,” she said.

“I want you to take me seriously enough to check.”

The recording ended with a story for Pearl, not a dramatic accusation.

We took the tape to investigators through counsel.

They asked about the date, the player, who had access to the cottage, and whether the recording had been altered.

Its contents were meaningful, but the underlying financial records remained the stronger proof of what happened with the foundation.