Chapter 7: What Harrison Did Next
By ten o'clock that morning, Harrison had asked to speak with me privately three times.
I had declined all three.
At eleven-fifteen, Carol called.
"The forensic accountant started on the Napa and Malibu records this morning," she said.
"James, the number is going to be significantly larger than two hundred and eighteen thousand.
We're seeing patterns across all three properties.
Initial estimate is somewhere between eight hundred thousand and one point two million over four years."
I was standing at the window of my office.
Below, the groundskeeper Thomas was trimming the hedges along the east wall, unaware that his employer had spent the morning learning the full scale of what had been taken from his household.
"Has Harrison been told about the accountant?" I asked.
"Not officially.
But he'll have figured it out.
James — I need you to be careful.
When people in his position realize the scope is known, they sometimes try to move assets or destroy records.
Does he have access to any digital systems he could alter remotely?"
"His admin credentials were suspended this morning.
IT confirmed it."
"Good.
What about physical records?
Files, external drives, anything in his office?"
"I'll have security secure the office now."
"Do it before noon."
I called security.
The office was sealed within fifteen minutes.
At twelve-forty, Harrison requested a meeting again.
This time I agreed.
He came in without the smoothness of the day before.
His collar was open.
There were shadows under his eyes that hadn't been there yesterday.
"I want to make a deal," he said, before he'd even sat down.
"I'm listening."
"I'll give you a full accounting.
Every transfer, every account, every arrangement.
In exchange, I want a written agreement that you won't pursue crjminal charges."
"That's not my decision alone to make.
My attorney is involved."
"Then talk to your attorney.
I can give you documentation that goes beyond what Daniel has told you.
There are accounts he hasn't mentioned.
Offshore.
Small amounts, moved regularly, designed to look like consulting fees."
I kept my expression neutral.
"Offshore accounts in whose name?"
Harrison looked at me steadily.
"His.
And mine.
Joint beneficial ownership through a third-party structure." He paused.
"Daniel set it up.
I want that on record."
"You're willing to provide documentation of that."
"In exchange for the agreement."
"I'll relay that to my attorney," I said.
"In the meantime, you'll remain on the property and you will not contact Daniel."
Harrison nodded.
He started to rise.
"Harrison."
He stopped.
"Rosa Martinez.
Marisol.
Thomas." I said each name clearly.
"You looked at those people every day.
You managed their schedules, approved their hours, handled their paperwork.
And you redirected their wages."
His jaw moved.
"It was a small amount relative to—"
"It was their rent," I said.
"It was their groceries.
It was a little girl sleeping on a bench in my hallway with her backpack under her head because she didn't know if she'd have a home to go back to."
Harrison said nothing.
"Get out," I said.
He left without another word.
I called Carol immediately and relayed everything about the offshore accounts.
She was quiet for a moment.
"He's trying to use Daniel as leverage to protect himself," she said.
"He may have documentation.
He may be bluffing.
Either way, this changes the picture."
"How?"
"It means at least one of them is going to want to cooperate in exchange for leniency.
Which means we'll get the full picture faster than I expected." She paused.
"James.
How are you holding up?"
I looked at the sealed door of Harrison's office down the hall.
"Ask me again when this is finished," I said.
"Fair enough.
One more thing.
Rosa Martinez — is she still at the property?"
"Yes."
"Keep her available.
Her testimony, and Marisol's and Thomas's, will matter.
Their accounts of the wage redirection, the false explanations, the pattern of delay — that's the foundation of the embezzlement case."
"I'll speak to them today."
"And James — whatever you decide about Daniel, make sure it comes from what's right.
Not from anger, and not from guilt."
I didn't answer immediately.
"I'll try," I said.
May you like
After I hung up, I sat for a moment.
Then I went to find Rosa.
