Chapter 2 - THE NAME ON THE TRANSFER
Roman didn't tell Sadie immediately.
First, he took care of her.
A private physician examined her leg in the Galleria's executive office.
The bruise was already darkening.
Nothing was broken.
Roman stood near the window while the doctor finished.
"Rest tonight."
Sadie smiled.
"That's going to be difficult."
"Why?"
She pointed at Roman.
"Because my husband looks like he's planning a murder."
The doctor suddenly became very interested in packing his bag.
Roman looked at Sadie.
"I'm planning dinner."
"That expression isn't your dinner expression."
"I have a dinner expression?"
"You have several."
The corner of Roman's mouth moved.
The doctor left.
Sadie's smile disappeared.
"What aren't you telling me?"
Roman didn't answer immediately.
That was answer enough.
"Roman."
He crossed the room.
"Trevor has been on my radar."
Sadie's face tightened.
"Why?"
"Six weeks ago, Vale Meridian discovered irregular transfers."
"How much?"
"Four point eight million dollars."
Sadie stared at him.
"And Trevor?"
"His consulting company received money through two intermediaries."
"You're sure?"
"Not yet."
Roman sat beside her.
"That's why I didn't tell you."
Sadie looked toward the window.
Trevor had always wanted money.
Not comfort.
Not security.
Money as proof that he mattered.
When they were together, he borrowed from everyone.
Friends.
Family.
Sadie.
Especially Sadie.
"I gave him twelve thousand dollars once."
Roman said nothing.
"It was everything I had."
"When?"
"Four years ago."
"For what?"
"He said he had an investment opportunity."
Roman's eyes hardened.
"He lost it?"
Sadie shook her head.
"I never knew."
Roman leaned back.
"Did you sign anything?"
Sadie hesitated.
Roman noticed.
"What?"
"He had me sign some documents."
Roman became completely still.
"What documents?"
"I don't know."
"Sadie."
"I was twenty-three."
"What did he tell you they were?"
"Loan paperwork."
Roman stood.
He reached for his phone.
"Who are you calling?"
"My attorney."
Sadie grabbed his wrist.
"Wait."
Roman looked down at her hand.
"I don't want you destroying him because of me."
"I don't destroy people because of you."
Sadie raised an eyebrow.
Roman corrected himself.
"Usually."
Despite everything, she almost smiled.
Then Roman crouched in front of her.
"But if he used your identity to commit fraud, this isn't revenge."
His voice softened.
"It's protection."
Sadie stared at him.
"What if he did?"
"Then we find out everything."
"And after that?"
Roman's eyes went cold.
"Then Trevor learns the difference between attacking someone powerless and attacking someone he merely assumed was powerless."
Sadie's phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
She opened the message.
A photograph appeared.
Sadie stopped breathing.
It showed her younger self asleep in the passenger seat of Trevor's old car.
Underneath was a message.
Tell your husband to back off.
Another message arrived.
Or he'll find out what you did too.
Roman saw her face.
"What is it?"
Sadie slowly turned the screen toward him.
Roman read the messages.
Then a third arrived.
A photograph of a document.
At the bottom was Sadie's signature.
Above it were three words.
AUTHORIZED ACCOUNT HOLDER.
Sadie's hands began shaking.
"I never signed that."
Roman zoomed in.
The date was four years old.
And beside Sadie's name was a bank account containing transactions worth more than two million dollars.
Roman looked up.
"Sadie."
Her voice was barely audible.
"What?"
"This isn't about four point eight million."
May you like
He enlarged another number.
"It's been happening for years."
