Payments leaving unusual accounts.
She asked Melissa.
Melissa dismissed it.
So Hannah contacted Victor directly.
Victor initially denied knowing anything.
Then admitted someone inside Carter Home Furnishings had been using his supplier company as a pass-through.
He claimed Melissa threatened to destroy his contract if he spoke.
Hannah started meeting him secretly because she wanted proof before telling me.
She feared I would defend Melissa.
She was right.
Victor planned to provide records.
Then Melissa discovered the meetings.
Days later, fake messages appeared.
Money was transferred into accounts designed to point toward Victor.
Then toward Hannah.
My stomach turned.
“Why didn’t Victor tell police?”
“He did.”
I stared.
“What?”
“He tried.”
“When?”
“After you threw me out.”
“But Melissa had already prepared evidence showing Victor benefited.”
“He panicked.”
“He took his family and left the state.”
I laughed bitterly.
“So he ran.”
“Yes.”
“That made both of us look guilty.”
“Yes.”
“Where is he now?”
Hannah hesitated.
“Dead.”
I froze.
“What?”
“Car accident eighteen months ago.”
Silence.
My mind raced.
“Did Melissa—”
“No.”
Hannah cut me off.
“Don’t do that.”
I stared.
“Do what?”
“Create a crime because it fits your anger.”
I looked away.
She was right.
Again.
Hannah continued.
“Victor died in an accident.”
“We have no evidence otherwise.”
“Before he died, he mailed me docum
