Chapter 29: The Missing Millions
With Arthur Vance behind bars, the federal task force finally gained full access to the encrypted servers of Aegis Holdings. I worked alongside federal forensic accountants, tracking the movement of the missing funds through a maze of digital accounts.
The breakthrough came when we discovered a hidden sub-account that had been accessed just hours after the attack on my house. The IP address used to log into the account didn't come from the city or the harbor; it came from an upscale residential neighborhood in Montreal, Canada.
"Someone else has the encryption keys," Thomas said, pointing to the log entry. "And they're systematically draining the accounts before the federal government can freeze them."
"Who owns the property associated with that IP address?" I asked.
Thomas pulled up the registration data. The property belonged to a corporate entity owned by Helen Rossi, the former chief of police who had resigned during the first wave of indictments and had vanished before she could be questioned.
The puzzle was complete. The head of the organization wasn't Evan, nor was it Arthur Vance. It was the very person who had run the police department, using her position to protect the syndicate while securing her own massive retirement fund in an international safe haven.
"She’s out of our jurisdiction," Thomas said quietly. "Extradition from Canada on financial charges can take years, especially with her legal knowledge and resources."
"She didn't just commit financial fraud, Thomas," I said, my voice hardening. "She authorized the hit on my family to cover her tracks. I'm going to Montreal."
May you like
"You don't have authority there, Maya," Thomas warned. "If you go, you go as a private citizen. If something happens, we can't protect you."
"I've never needed your protection before, Thomas," I said, standing up and grabbing my jacket. "I'm going to finish this."
