Chapter 8 - Emily Discovers the Second Account
A forensic accountant reviewed the restaurant’s pre-opening finances.
The $86,000 was not the first missing money.
Vendor invoices showed inflated charges.
Furniture.
Lighting.
Wine.
Kitchen equipment.
Small overages at first.
Then larger ones.
A vendor called HGM Hospitality Services had received more than $640,000
over fourteen months.
Its registered address led to a mailbox.
Its beneficial owner was Gregory Hale.
Daniel went pale.
Gregory had been receiving money before the restaurant even opened.
Margaret had approved several invoices using her legacy authority over
the building company.
Vanessa had signed two delivery confirmations for goods nobody could
locate.
Vanessa began crying.
“I didn’t know it was that much.”
Emily stared at her.
“How much did you think was okay?”
Vanessa had no answer.
The accountant cautioned them not to label every dollar stolen before
reconciliation.
But the pattern was undeniable.
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The family had not suddenly taken money on opening night.
Opening night was simply the first time Emily caught them.
