I need answers. And that means going to see people who might be able to provide them. I pick up my phone and dial.
It seems to ring forever before a woman picks up. “Marshall Ventures, how can I help you?”
Well, it didn’t take long to change that name.
The website still has Marshall-Bennett, but I don’t blame his business partner for wanting to distance the company from an open murder investigation.
“Hi, yes. I need to make an appointment with Mr. Marshall. It’s very important and is about his late business partner.”
She stammers before saying, “Just a moment, please.”
Hold music plays in my ear as I drum my fingers on my desk while I wait.
Just a few seconds later, she comes back on the line. “He has an opening in an hour. Would that work for you?”
I double-check my schedule. “That works great.” Once I’ve given her my name, I disconnect the call.
Only an hour until I can hopefully obtain some information that I can provide to the police to help Lily.
Fifty-five minutes later, I’m walking into an office in downtown Nashville. It’s on the fifth floor of one of the high-rise office buildings. I approach the woman sitting at the desk inside the door, assuming this is the one I spoke to earlier.
“Hello, Chris Rivers. I have an appointment with Mr. Marshall.”
“Of course, Mr. Rivers.” She stands. “Mr. Marshall is expecting you. Please, follow me.”
We walk down a long hall until we reach the door at the end. She raps her knuckles lightly on the door before pushing it open and announcing my arrival.
An older man, maybe in his late fifties, is standing behind the desk. He has thick grey hair, giving him a distinguished look. With him wearing slacks and a button-up shirt with a sweater over top, if I didn’t know he was a millionaire venture capitalist, I would’ve guessed he was a professor.
I cross the office and extend my hand. “Mr. Marshall, thank you so much for meeting with me. Chris Rivers.”
He takes my hand in a firm handshake. “Call me Bob.” Releasing my hand, he gestures to the chair in front of his desk. I take the seat as he settles behind his desk. “Chris Rivers, as in, the famous attorney?”
Chuckling, I deflect my reputation. “Hardly famous. Just good at what I do.”
He smiles, but it lacks warmth. “Confident. I like that.”
Not wanting to waste either of our time, I explain, “Thank you. But my career isn’t why I’m here.”
The smile disappears. “Ah, yes. My receptionist said it was about Blake. Which, I’ll admit, I would’ve normally ignored your request for a meeting, but curiosity got the better of me.”
Knowing I need to tread carefully, I attempt to lessen the accusation in my question. “Were you aware of any illegal deals Blake was involved in?”
Tilting his head to the side, his eyes narrow. “How are you even involved in this?”
I clear my throat. “I’m his wife’s attorney.”
Sighing, Bob sits up straighter. “That poor woman. Blake said some awful things about her when she wasn’t around. And the times I was with both of them, he wasn’t much nicer. I wouldn’t be surprised if she was relieved he’s gone.”
His comments take me aback, considering I assumed he was Blake’s best friend. I tell him as much. “That was not at all what I expected you to say.”
With a knowing look, he sits back in his chair, clasping his hands in his lap with his elbows on the armrest. “Yes, I’m sure it wasn’t. If I can be frank with you, Chris. I’d been trying to get Blake out of here for years. Sadly, the owners’ agreements we have are rock solid, and there was nothing I could do except offer to buy him out. I’ve been trying to raise the capital so I could do just that.”
Considering how low on money Lily said he was, Blake probably would’ve been happy to find that if he was still alive.
Bob continues. “So to answer your question about Blake doing something illegal, I wouldn’t be surprised one bit. For maybe the year prior to his death, he became increasingly secretive about what deals he was making. I had no idea what he was working on, and he never gave me any information when I asked. And while my forensic accountant is still looking for proof, I’m pretty sure Blake stole an indeterminate amount of money from this firm.”
“Do you have his laptop or anything that I could look through to see what I can find?”
