Several major developments had exceeded their budgets.
A private investment had failed.
And the company had taken on debt that its public image concealed.
Adrian and Eleanor had allegedly begun transferring funds through related entities to keep certain obligations from appearing where investors and lenders expected them.
Victor said he had discovered some of the irregularities only after the situation had become serious.
He had confronted them.
They assured him that the transactions were temporary and would be corrected.
But the amounts continued to grow.
Then Adrian met me.
An accountant working for a company involved in Blackwood’s joint ventures.
Someone with a clean professional record.
Someone from a modest family without powerful financial connections.
And someone who trusted him.
Victor looked down.
“I began to suspect that Adrian’s relationship with you was connected to the financial problems.”
I felt sick.
“Are you saying he married me for my name?”
