“After that, they form a new shell company and repeat the process with another partner, like Mallory’s.The money keeps circulating in that loop, and whenever Peter needs cash, he just pulls it out.”
“Question!”Jessy shoots his hand up.
“Yes?”Golden replies.
“Why does he need to create all those shell companies?Why not just park the money in different banks?”Jessy asks.
“Simple,” Golden says evenly.“Money.Big banking transfers attract regulators and red flags.If you keep the cash moving through businesses, transactions look like legitimate investments.Returns look reasonable, and everything gets buried in paperwork.”
“So, Alan’s company was a sham?Not many real customers, just promotions and big names to cover the cash flow?”Fenella asks, her finger tracing a line on the page.
“Yes.Designer stores, artist labels, Peter folds them in because brand value is hard to pin down.Celebrities get the illusion of demand, they open branches, launch product lines, and the whole thing expands like a web.”Golden nods.
“What about the charities?They’re supposed to be non-profit.”Jessy and Fenella both speak up.
“Charities are even easier,” Golden says.“Donations can be anonymous, written off as operational costs, or recorded as street donors.You can only pump so much through a foundation before it looks suspicious, but used carefully, they’re perfect cover.And by these records, Amy runs most of the charities in the state.”
“Oh, this is so messed up.No wonder Amy has been begging for a business empire.”Fenella runs her fingers through the hair at her nape and rubs it.
“Oh God.My head’s already spinning just thinking about it.”Jessy presses both palms to his temples.
“Ugh.That means Gene would surely be shut down if Alan gets arrested.”Fenella bites her lower lip and exchanges a look with Jessy.They grab each other’s hands and squeeze.
“What’s the estimated total Peter has in circulation right now?”I ask Golden.
“From the phone data and the financial tracing, we estimate around a billion dollars in circulation,” Golden says.
Matthew whistles at the number.“Has there been any record of where he spent the money when he liquidated it?”he asks.
“The FBI is still tracing everyone tied to Peter, including top officials.Nothing confirmed until we dig deeper, but we suspect Irish-mob weapons deals, drugs, and payments to women,” Golden replies.
“Wait—women?What do you mean by women?”Fenella’s voice trips up a register.
“Peter kept several mistresses,” Golden says with a shrug.“Each lived an extraordinarily lavish life.He bought them jets, yachts, and designer clothes.”
“Genius.He funds women, they blow the cash at his affiliated companies, show off the items, and the money funnels back through sales,” Matthew says, rubbing his palms together.
“Oh, shit.This is all crap,” Fenella curses, burying her face in a sofa pillow and whining.
“So, you have the evidence.What are you waiting for?”I shrug.
“Confession,” Golden answers, eyes narrowing.
“Is that important?”Jessy frowns.
“Crucial,” Golden says.“So far, the evidence came through your hands.We could claim an anonymous tip, but Peter’s lawyers would shred that.We need undeniable proof.”
“I can help with that.I bought a rare device from a friend that can capture confessions,” Matthew says, hand shooting up, eyes gleaming.
“No torture.A case this big draws media and teams of lawyers.The only clean way is a recorded confession,” Golden says.
“So, what do you mean?”I raise an eyebrow, guessing where this is headed.
“We need to lure a confession out of them, straight from their real voices.No AI tricks.Those are easy to detect,” he says as if it’s obvious.
“Whoa, hold up.You want us to do your dirty work again?”I say, frowning and lifting a hand to stop him.
“What’s the big deal?You offered access inside their circle.Now you’re in the circle.The only thing left is to get a confession,” he snaps.
