Chapter 4 - Unraveling the Syndicate
By 3:00 PM, the federal investigation into Halcyon Meridian was moving faster than anyone anticipated.
In the high-security conference room of Moretti Capital, Elena, Vittorio, and Vance reviewed bank wire logs pulled from Julian Vance’s encrypted drives.
“Look at this,” Vance pointed at a glowing monitor screen. “The seventy-two million from the Newark logistics sale didn't just go to a shell company in Delaware. It was split into twelve micro-transactions and funneled through a cryptocurrency exchange in Panama.”
Elena leaned closer, her eyes narrowing as she studied the transaction hashes. “That’s not a standard money-laundering route. That’s a liquidity siphon designed to drain the holding company’s operating cash before an impending bankruptcy filing.”
“Exactly,” Vittorio agreed, standing beside her chair. “Julian wasn't acting alone. He had a co-signer inside the executive committee. Someone with signing authority who could override internal compliance.”
Elena’s heart skipped a beat. She pulled up the corporate directory, searching the signature logs for the Newark transaction approval.
There it was.
Authorized by: Arthur Pendelton.
“Pendelton,” Elena whispered, fury surging through her veins. “He signed off on the below-market valuation. He helped Julian fabricate the liquidity crisis.”
“And he’s currently packing his office at Whitmore Tower,” Vittorio said calmly, pulling out his phone. “I had Vance’s team monitor his communications. He’s booked a private flight to Zurich out of Teterboro airport tonight at 8:00 PM.”
May you like
Elena stood up, grabbing her jacket from the back of her chair. “Not if we stop him first.”
“Vance,” Vittorio commanded without looking up from his phone. “Have two tactical units intercept Pendelton’s car on the West Side Highway. Bring him to my downtown facility. We’re going to have a conversation about Swiss bank accounts.”
