“Victoria,” I said, “how much do you know about your husband’s company?”
Her smile faded slightly.
“What an odd question.”
“Do you know who financed the Riverside Center acquisition?”
Her husband, Charles, looked up sharply.
Victoria waved dismissively.
“Some investment group.”
Charles wasn’t smiling anymore.
I continued.
“Hayes Capital Partners.”
Silence spread around the table.
Victoria blinked.
“I’ve never heard of them.”
Charles had.
His face immediately lost color.
I reached into my jacket.
Not for my wallet.
I placed my business card beside Victoria’s champagne glass.
ROBERT HAYES
CHAIRMAN
HAYES CAPITAL PARTNERS
Charles stared at it.
Then at me.
“You’re Robert Hayes?”
“I am.”
Victoria laughed nervously.
“That proves nothing.”
“You’re right.”
I nodded toward the restaurant office.
“But the emails your assistant sent tonight prove quite a lot.”
For the first time that evening, Victoria stopped smiling.
Part 3
Charles grabbed the printed emails before Victoria could.
His eyes moved rapidly across the pages.
“Victoria… what did you do?”
She snatched them away.
“It’s a birthday dinner.”
“You authorized the corporate account?”
“Only as backup.”
“That account is restricted!”
