Chapter 9 - Martin Hale Makes His Last Transfer
Martin denied stealing the money.
He claimed he moved it to protect it from seizure.
The destination account told another story.
It belonged to a trust benefiting his adult children.
For decades, Martin had helped Thomas build Seabrook.
After Thomas died, Martin continued using it.
Richard discovered some activity and began quietly reversing
transactions.
Vanessa’s audit threatened everything.
Martin decided to empty the account and make Claire appear responsible.
Her forged signature already existed.
She was the perfect final shield.
Martin was investigated and later faced the legal consequences supported
by the evidence.
Recovered funds were frozen and returned through appropriate processes.
But Richard was not cleared morally simply because Martin committed the
final transfer.
Richard had known Claire’s identity was attached to Seabrook for seven
years.
He never told her.
He allowed forged records to remain.
He tried to alter files before the audit.
And he had an affair with Vanessa while claiming to be fixing the
problem.
Claire met him with attorneys present.
Richard cried.
“I love you.”
Claire believed him.
That made it worse.
“You keep saying love like it cancels choice.”
He looked down.
“It doesn’t.”
May you like
“No.”
For once, he did not argue.
