Below it were several transaction references.
At the bottom was Richard Bennett's signature.
Sergeant Reynolds: "Mr. Bennett, is this your signature?"
Richard looked at the document.
Richard: "I would need my lawyer to examine it."
James: "Of course. That's exactly what I expected you to say."
Richard: "You cannot prove that document is genuine."
James: "That's why I brought the original."
James placed another paper on the table.
Then another.
And another.
Each document contained information that connected the suspicious transactions to the same group of companies.
Officer Harris carefully photographed them.
Officer Harris: "Sergeant, these records appear to correspond with the documents Ms. Carter brought earlier."
Sergeant Reynolds nodded.
Sergeant Reynolds: "Make sure everything is documented and preserved."
Richard looked increasingly uncomfortable.
But James was not finished.
James: "There is something else."
Evelyn: "What?"
James: "Your father discovered that the money was not simply being transferred to private accounts. Some of it was being used to purchase properties through companies controlled by people close to Richard."
Richard: "That's a lie."
James: "Then explain why the companies share the same registered address."
Richard said nothing.
James: "Explain why the directors were receiving payments from the same account."
Richard: "I am not going to discuss confidential business matters with you."
James: "You discussed them with Robert. You discussed them with the investigators. And you discussed them with the people who helped you hide the evidence."
Sergeant Reynolds looked up.
Sergeant Reynolds: "You mentioned investigators earlier. Who was involved?"
James took a breath.
James: "A man named Charles Whitmore."
The name seemed to affect the older officer.
Sergeant Reynolds: "Charles Whitmore?"
James nodded.
James: "He was responsible for overseeing the original investigation."
Officer Harris looked at his colleague.
Officer Harris: "Was he the person mentioned in the letter?"
James: "Yes."
Evelyn looked confused.
Evelyn: "Who was Charles Whitmore?"
Sergeant Reynolds answered carefully.
Sergeant Reynolds: "He was a senior investigator who worked in the financial crimes division. He left public service several years ago."
Evelyn: "And he was involved in my father's case?"
Sergeant Reynolds: "According to the information we have heard, that possibility needs to be investigated."
James: "He was the person who made sure the investigation was closed."
Richard suddenly laughed.
Richard: "This is getting more ridiculous by the minute."
James turned toward him.
James: "Do you want me to play the recording?"
Richard stopped laughing.
For the first time, he looked genuinely afraid.
Sergeant Reynolds: "What recording?"
James reached into his coat and removed a small digital storage device.
James: "Robert made a recording of a conversation that took place in his office. He knew something was wrong, and he wanted to preserve evidence of the pressure being placed on him."
Officer Harris: "Is this the original recording?"
James: "Yes. I have kept it in a secure location since the day Robert gave it to me."
Sergeant Reynolds: "How do we know it hasn't been altered?"
James: "You can arrange an independent examination. I am not asking you to believe me simply because I say so."
The sergeant nodded.
Sergeant Reynolds: "That's the correct approach."
James handed over the device.
Officer Harris connected it to a secure laptop.
The room became silent.
A moment later, a man's voice came through the speakers.
It was unmistakably Richard Bennett.
Richard's Recorded Voice: "You understand what I'm asking you to do, Robert. This is a routine adjustment. Nobody needs to make it more complicated than it is."
Another voice responded.
Robert's Recorded Voice: "These figures are incorrect. The money was transferred to accounts that have nothing to do with construction."
Richard's Recorded Voice: "Those decisions are above your level."
Robert's Recorded Voice: "I am responsible for the accounts. I cannot sign something I know is false."
There was a brief silence.
Then Richard spoke again.
Richard's Recorded Voice: "You have a family, Robert. You should think carefully before putting your position at risk."
Robert's Recorded Voice: "Are you threatening me?"
Richard's Recorded Voice: "I'm trying to explain how the world works."
Robert's Recorded Voice: "The families trusted us. They gave us their savings. They deserve to know what happened."
Richard's Recorded Voice: "Those families will receive their properties when the project is completed."
Robert's Recorded Voice: "The money is gone."
Richard's Recorded Voice: "Then you will make the necessary adjustments."
Robert's Recorded Voice: "No."
A chair moved.
Someone placed a glass on a table.
Then another voice entered the conversation.
A voice that made Evelyn's blood run cold.
Charles Whitmore's Recorded Voice: "I believe we can resolve this without creating unnecessary problems."
Evelyn's eyes widened.
She recognized the voice.
She had heard it at her father's funeral.
She had heard it during family meetings.
She had heard it when the man promised that everything would eventually be cleared up.
It was Charles Whitmore.
The very person who had later told Evelyn that her father had made serious mistakes.
The person who had assured her family that the investigation had been conducted properly.
Evelyn slowly looked at James.
Evelyn: "That's him."
James nodded.
James: "Yes."
The recording continued.