👉 Previous Decision: You discovered Silas Gable using Evelyn Cross to handle suspicious ledgers with a $200,000 entry.
The image of the ledger, open on Evelyn’s desk, burned in my mind. The alphanumeric code next to my $200,000 figure was the key. I needed physical access to those documents.
Later that afternoon, a memo landed on my desk, routed through Evelyn. It detailed new protocols for “secure document archiving.” AetherTech was preparing for an external audit by the Department of Defense. This was my chance.
I found Evelyn in the archiving room, a cramped space filled with filing cabinets that smelled of old paper and dust. She was meticulously placing files into labeled boxes, her brow furrowed in concentration. The leather-bound ledger from Silas’s office was open on a small table beside her, its pages covered in her neat handwriting.
“Evelyn,” I said, trying to keep my voice casual. “Marcus asked me to check on the new archiving process. Said you were handling some of the priority documents.”
She jumped, startled, clutching a stack of papers to her chest. “Oh, Mr. Pendelton. Yes. Mr. Gable had me copy some of the quarterly retainers for the new audit.”
“Retainers?” I feigned surprise. “Interesting. Usually, that’s handled by specific accounts personnel.”
She wrung her hands. “He said it was urgent. And that it involved… sensitive, new contracts.” Her gaze flickered to the open ledger.
“Mind if I take a look?” I asked, stepping closer. “Just to ensure everything aligns with the new digital input protocols. Marcus is very particular about cross-referencing.”
She hesitated for a moment, then shrugged, stepping aside. “Of course. I’m just trying to make sense of some of these transfer codes myself.”
My eyes scanned the page. There it was: an entry for “$200,000 – Professional Retainer.” But the associated transfer code wasn’t an internal accounting number. It was a cryptic string: “OV-X84-BERMUDA.”
Bermuda. Offshore accounts.
Another entry caught my attention, dated two months prior, for a similar amount: “$180,000 – Software Licensing Fee.” This one routed to “OV-Y21-CAYMAN.” More offshore accounts. And then another, and another, all with six-figure sums and foreign destinations. These weren’t retainers or licensing. They were laundered funds.
Evelyn, unaware of the implications, pointed to a column. “What exactly does ‘OV’ mean, Mr. Pendelton? Mr. Gable just said it was a project code.”
“OV…” I murmured, pretending to think. “It’s a code Marcus developed. Stands for ‘Overseer.’ His personal project identification for… specialized investments.” A chilling realization dawned. Marcus was using his own project codes to hide his illicit financial activities, funneling company money into offshore accounts. The $200,000 for my contract was merely a part of a larger, far more elaborate scheme.
He wasn’t just suppressing my memory; he was robbing AetherTech blind, using me as a cover story. The paper trail was undeniable.
➡️ Read CHAPTER 6 to continue the story.
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