Chapter 9: The Other Account
The name on the second account was Meridian Property Holdings LLC.
Patricia read it to me slowly, the way you read something to someone who needs time to understand what they're hearing.
"It's a shell company," she said.
"Registered eighteen months ago in Delaware.
Single managing member.
The registration lists a nominee, which is standard for this type of structure, but the correspondence address on the formation documents matches Grant's firm's satellite office in Chicago."
I sat down at the kitchen table.
"How much?" I said.
"Combined transfers over fourteen months: two hundred and thirty thousand dollars." A pause.
"Nora, this is not a man who panicked.
This is a man who planned."
Two hundred and thirty thousand dollars.
Into a company that existed on paper.
With an address connected to Grant's firm.
"Chicago," I said.
"Yes."
"That's where Diane's mother lived.
Where Grant said he worked a case years ago.
Where Diane grew up."
"I know," Patricia said.
"I want you to sit with that for a moment before we draw conclusions.
But yes.
The geography is not a coincidence."
I sat with it.
"He told Diane her mother had been sick," I said.
"He said that's why he sent the first transfer.
Medical bills."
"Diane's mother," Patricia said carefully, "passed away fourteen months ago.
I found an obituary.
Her name was Susan Calloway.
She was fifty-three."
Fourteen months ago.
The same month Grant's hotel receipts began.
"He started the affair the same month Diane's mother died," I said.
"Yes."
I pressed my hand flat on the table.
"Patricia.
Is it possible the shell company is connected to the mother?
To Susan Calloway?"
A pause.
"That's exactly the question I'm trying to answer.
I've asked a financial investigator I work with to pull the company's transaction records.
We'll know more in forty-eight hours." Her voice was steady and careful.
"In the meantime, I need you to do something difficult."
"What?"
"I need you to meet with Diane in person.
Soon.
Before Grant has the chance to speak with her and align their stories." A pause.
"She's a potential witness.
She has documentation of the refused transfers.
She has texts.
She has the conversation about the will.
And if she knows anything about the shell company — even something she doesn't realize she knows — that information could be critical."
"She already agreed to meet," I said.
"Good.
Don't tell Grant."
"I won't." I looked at the golf bag by the garage door.
"Patricia.
When this is over — when all of it is settled — is there a version where he faces actual consequences?
Not just a divorce settlement.
Real consequences."
Patricia was quiet for a moment.
"If the shell company is what I think it might be," she said, "then yes.
We wouldn't be talking about family court.
We'd be talking about financial fraud.
Potentially wire fraud, depending on how the transfers were structured." A beat.
"But I need the investigator's report first.
Don't get ahead of the evidence."
"I won't," I said.
I ended the call and sat for a long time in the quiet kitchen.
Then I texted Diane.
*Can you meet tomorrow?
There's something I need to show you.
It may involve your mother.*
May you like
The reply came in under two minutes.
*Tell me where.*
