"Do you?"
I meet his eyes. "Yes, sir."
He nods, and I leave.
On Thursday, I put on my best suit and most charming smile, and drive to our lawyers' office. We’ve agreed to a formal interview, recorded and accompanied by the family lawyer.
Reeves is younger than I expected. She’s mid-thirties, sharp eyes, no-nonsense demeanor. She shakes my hand firmly.
"Mr. Crane. Thank you for making time."
"Happy to help clarify any misunderstandings."
We sit across from each other at the conference table. Reeves has a thick folder. My father's lawyer sits to my right.
The questions are what my father predicted. I give the rehearsed answers.
"Let's talk about Congressman Hartley," Reeves says.
My stomach tightens. Face neutral.
"My family had no direct involvement in whatever choices Congressman Hartley made."
"No direct involvement. What about indirect?"
"I'm not sure what you mean."
"Your father and Hartley were close. Served on committees together. Your family donated substantially to his campaigns." She flips a page and names a date. "Your father hosted a private dinner with Hartley as guest of honour. Shortly after, Hartley changed his vote on key legislation."
"Is that a question?”
"Can you tell me what was discussed at that dinner?"
"There was small talk, of course. I do recall we discussed the bill but this was some years ago. I don’t recall the specifics.Hartley was opposed but we made our argument. I assume he was swayed as he changed his stance shortly after."
That’s true.
“After the Crane corporation sold his wife a building at a considerable loss to the Cranes.”
“I’m not involved with the real estate side of our business. Neither is my father, as far as I am aware.”
“Are you aware that there is a $200,000 difference between the valuation of that building and the price to which it was sold to Mrs Hartley?”
“I am now. I read through the Jamie Dean documents after they were leaked, but no, I was not aware of it until then.”
“Would you say it is normal to make that kind of loss on the sale of a building?”
“I would hope not. It sounds like a poor business decision on the surface but I do not know what other factors might have been involved. I would suggest you speak to our head of real estate.”
She nods and makes a note.
"Moving on, you were present at other dinners and other private meetings between your father and members of Congress. What was typically discussed?"
The lawyer tenses beside me.
"Policy," I say instead. "Political strategy. The usual."
"The usual being?"
