“I’ve arranged for her to meet with our legal team separately,” Marcus continued, scrolling through his tablet. “Given her... unique position in all this, it seemed prudent.”
Archer’s eyes narrowed slightly. “What do you mean by ‘unique position’?”
“Well, she’s either Jenkins’ accomplice or his scapegoat,” Marcus replied smoothly. “Either way, she requires special handling.”
“She’s not his accomplice,” Archer said firmly. “All evidence points to Jenkins setting her up.”
Marcus studied him for a moment, his expression calculating. “You seem very certain of that.”
“The evidence is clear.”
“Evidence can be deceiving,” Marcus countered. “People too. Take Jenkins—respected Creative Director by day, embezzler by night. Even had connections to Meridian Investment Group to help launder some of the funds.”
Archer paused, mind suddenly alert. “Meridian Investment Group? That wasn’t in the reports I reviewed.”
Marcus blinked, the only sign that he might have misspoken. “It’s in the supplementary data. Came in late yesterday. One of Jenkins’ associates works there—it seems they were routing some of the fraudulent payments through client accounts.”
“I want that data,” Archer said immediately. “And the name of this associate.”
“Of course,” Marcus agreed, making a note on his tablet. “Though it’s likely justanother pawn in Jenkins’ scheme.”
“Let me determine that,” Archer said, his strategic mind now fully engaged despite his emotional exhaustion. “I also want to review the complete transaction history that doesn’t match Jenkins’ pattern.”
Marcus’s expression remained neutral, professional. “As you wish. Though with Thursday’s meeting approaching, I wonder if your time might be better spent on the broader acquisition strategy.”
“I’ll manage my own time,” Archer replied coldly.
The remainder of the pre-meeting briefing passed with professional efficiency, but Archer’s mind kept returning to that small slip—Meridian Investment Group. Why hadn’t that connection been in any of the reports he’d reviewed? And why was Marcus so eager to steer him away from the detailed forensic accounting?
As they walked toward the main conference room where the executive team waited, Marcus paused. “By the way, should I handle the Morgan Reeves interview on Thursday? You have the board presentation that morning, and I have experience with these sensitive personnel matters.”
The offer seemed innocuous on the surface—a CFO helping with acquisition details. But something in Marcus’s tone set off warning bells in Archer’s mind.
“No,” he said firmly. “I’ll handle it myself.”
“Suit yourself,” Marcus replied with a casual shrug. “Just trying to lighten your load.”
The executive meeting proceeded as it always did—reports, projections, strategic planning. Archer participated with mechanical precision, his mind divided between the business at hand and the growing sense that something wasn’t right with the Vertex situation.
It wasn’t until late afternoon, alone in his office, that Archer had time to dig deeper. He pulled up the complete forensic accounting report, scanning for any mention of Meridian Investment Group. There was nothing—not in the main report, not in the supplementary data Marcus had finally sent over.
Yet Marcus had mentioned it with such confidence, as if it were an established fact.
Archer opened a secure browser and searched for Meridian Investment Group, scanning its corporate profile and leadership team. Nothing jumped out immediately, until he reached the “Corporate Ownership” section.
Meridian was a subsidiary of Centaur Holdings. And Centaur Holdings was partially owned by Sullivan Enterprises—a minor holding acquired during a diversification push three years ago.
His phone buzzed. Kane.
“You asked for information on Morgan Reeves,” Kane said without preamble. “I’ve compiled the basics, but there’s something interesting in her relationship history. Herex-boyfriend—”
“Jason,” Archer supplied.
“Yes. Jason Prescott. He works for Meridian Investment Group. Financial advisor for high-net-worth clients.”
The connection hit Archer like a physical blow. Jason worked for Meridian. Meridian was connected to Sullivan Enterprises. And Marcus knew about this connection despite it not being in any report.
“Kane, I need everything you can find on Meridian Investment Group,” Archer ordered. “Client lists, transaction histories, management structure. Especially any connections to a Richard Jenkins, Jason Prescott or Marcus Donovan.”
