The document lands in front of him with his signature clear as day. Six years old. Undeniably his.
His face goes carefully blank.
Gotcha.
“And what about Coral Bridge Holdings?” I produce another document. “A shell company registered in the Caymans. Our investigation has traced significant fund transfers from the Saelinger Foundation to this entity over the past eighteen months. The same Coral Bridge Holdings is listed as the beneficiary in that recent forged memo.”
Xavier’s jaw tightens. “I’m not familiar with that company.”
“Really? Because we have records indicating you’re the beneficial owner. Along with a Bahamian entity called Atlantic Cove Investments, which is currently buying up coastal properties using money from the aforementioned Coral BridgeHoldings. All of which trace back to this. “ I tap the Windward Solutions document. “The shell company you set up six years ago.”
Silence.
I can hear birds outside. The distant crash of waves.
“These records are falsified,” he says finally.
I study him. “By whom?”
He hesitates. This is the moment. The pivot point. I can see him calculating, trying to figure out how to deflect blame without implicating himself further.
Come on, Xavier. Tell me who’s been helping you. Give me a name.
“There are certain individuals,” he begins, “within the foundation’s Manhattan office who have been... sympathetic to alternative interpretations of the foundation’s mission.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Can you be more specific?”
Another hesitation. Then: “Noemi Varela, Mr. Saelinger’s Chief of Staff, has been instrumental in facilitating certain administrative processes. Perhaps you should talk to her?”
I hear a sharp intake of breath from the back of the room. Corin.
Noemi.
His own Chief of Staff.
The woman he trusted to run his Manhattan office.
I keep my face neutral, but inside I’m reeling. We suspected there was a mole. But Noemi? She’s been with Corin for years.
“So you’re confirming that Noemi Varela has been working with you to create and distribute falsified documents?” I ask.
Xavier’s face goes pale as he realizes what he’s just admitted. “I didn’t say that. I said she’s been helpful with administrative matters.”
“You specifically stated she’s been ‘instrumental in facilitating certain administrative processes.’ Processes thatyou’ve already acknowledged relate to documents you’re claiming are falsified.” I tap my legal pad. “The logical inference is that she facilitated the creation of those documents.”
“You’re twisting my words,” he exclaims.
“I’mclarifyingthem,” I reply. “For the record.”
I let the silence stretch. Xavier is sweating now. I can see the sheen on his forehead.
“Mr. Laurent,” I continue, “you are aware that this meeting has been recorded in its entirety, in compliance with the disclosure notice you signed upon arrival?”
His face goes white.
There it is.
The moment of realization.
