Chapter 5 - The Weak Link
Julian was a coward at his core. He liked the rewards of crime but didn't have the stomach for the consequences. Knowing this, I decided to apply a little psychological pressure.
I arranged a meeting through his divorce attorney—whom Sarah had formally served days prior—at a neutral location: a brightly lit, heavily populated diner. I sat in a booth, sipping black coffee, while Julian slid into the seat across from me. He looked like he hadn't slept in a week.
“Where is Sarah?” he demanded, trying to sound authoritative but failing miserably. “I have a right to see my wife.”
“You have a right to remain silent, Julian, though I highly suggest you don't,” I said, sliding a manila folder across the table.
He opened it. Inside were the IP logs tying his office computer to the forged bank documents, alongside a draft of the federal indictment bearing his name.
“You’re looking at twenty years in a federal penitentiary for wire fraud, identity theft, and conspiracy,” I stated flatly.
Julian’s bravado collapsed. His hands shook as he pushed the folder back. “It wasn't my idea! My mother… she set it up. She brought the private lender. She told me to forward Sarah’s emails. She said it was for the family’s survival!”
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“Then you need to decide which family you belong to,” I leaned forward, my voice dropping to a deadly whisper. “Because right now, Victoria is setting you up to take the fall. The loan was generated from your office. She’s going to tell the judge you acted alone to save your failing company.”
His eyes widened in sheer panic. I had planted the seed.
