Chapter 7 - THE BABY SHOWER TIMELINE
The shower was Victoria’s idea.
Formal ballroom.
String quartet.
Two hundred white roses.
Custom cake.
Sixty guests.
Ridiculous.
I wanted lunch at home.
She called that “sad.”
Julian supported her.
“Let her do this.”
That phrase again.
Let her.
So I agreed.
Then Agent Ortiz called five days before.
“We may execute warrants next week.”
My pulse jumped.
“When?”
“I cannot give operational details yet.”
“Will I be arrested?”
“No current evidence supports that.”
Current.
Comforting word.
“You’re listed on documents.”
“Yes.”
“But we believe you were used as a nominee owner.”
Believe.
Not proven.
Then:
“If timing intersects with your shower, your medical safety takes priority.”
My stomach tightened.
“You know about the shower?”
“We have calendars.”
Of course.
Two days before, Ortiz called again.
“Do not change event plans because of us.”
“Are you coming?”
“I can’t answer.”
At noon on the day, the encrypted message arrived.
Remain if safe until 2:00.
I did not know whether 2:00 meant:
Interview.
Warrant.
Arrests.
Nothing visible.
I only knew the investigation would move.
Why exactly 2:00?
I learned later.
At 2:15, Harrow Response was scheduled to authorize a major transfer associated with a new federal contract extension.
Agents wanted records preserved before that transaction occurred.
At 1:40, Julian asked me to step into the side lounge.
He held a folder.
“Sign these before cake.”
“What?”
“Family indemnity.”
“For what?”
“Your design company. MWL. Vendor overlap.”
My heart stopped.
He had said the name.
Casually.
“What overlap?”
“You consulted on some facility work. Compliance wants everything clean.”
“I don’t own MWL.”
His face changed.
Only slightly.
“Of course not.”
“Then why am I signing?”
“Because your name appears in old organizational documents.”
Old.
That was the first admission.
“Why?”
“Mom structured some vendor entities years ago. It’s technical.”
“Using my name?”
“You benefited from the family.”
I stared.
“What does that mean?”
He lowered his voice.
“Sign.”
“No.”
“Sloane.”
“No.”
That was when the argument moved into the ballroom.
He followed.
I told him:
“If my name is on a company, I want every record.”
He said:
“You’re being dramatic.”
I said:
“I have already asked outside counsel.”
That was my mistake.
I revealed more than I should.
His face transformed.
“Who?”
“Not your business.”
He grabbed my arm.
I pulled free.
People noticed.
Victoria crossed the room.
“What did she do?”
Not:
What happened?
What did she do?
Julian said:
“She’s threatening the company.”
I answered:
“I’m asking why my signature is on documents I never signed.”
Victoria looked at him.
Then me.
“Lower your voice.”
“No.”
She said:
“You have no idea what you’re touching.”
I checked my watch.
1:52.
Eight minutes.
Julian saw.
“What are you waiting for?”
May you like
I looked at him.
That was when he hit me.
