Page 109 of You Know Why

“Of course not. I’m trying to understand how all of this works. I’m not in forensic accounting, but I do have a bank account. It seems this kind of external private funding is ripe for abuse. Not saying you’ve done it, just asking if it could happen.”

“Well, naturally, insurance fraud is a major problem in the US. We are not doing that. Trey stole from the company, plain and simple. When we realized it, we came to you to try and find the funds. We haven’t even put in for the loss coverage yet, because we believe in the FBI and its ability to do its job.” Pat Gussin smiles pointedly.

“Sure. Sure. That’s all well and good,” Drake says. “But we have to think like a criminal to catch a criminal. Why would Trey steal from you? What does he have to gain by taking $40 million and going on the run? Can he spend it easily without you noticing?”

Bob nods. “Okay, playing your hypothetical, it depends on how he transfers the capital. Does he use it to buy diamonds, say, which are easily moved, very portable, and hold their value well? Or does he keep it in the crypto market and make gains that way, taking bits of it out as needed? I don’t know.”

“And there was absolutely no tie-in to your brother Roman and his drug busts?” Drake asks.

“I can’t imagine that to be the case. Though my brother and I don’t talk much anymore, Agent Sheehan, I do know he’s been straight for years now.”

“Six years. He got out six years ago.”

“That’s correct. Married a lovely woman, and they own a small boutique in Fort Lauderdale. He’s out of that world.”

“Hmm.” Drake crosses his legs and leans back in the short leather chair. “And how does Brooklyn tie in to all of this? Do you think she knew what Trey was up to? You said he was systematically stealing for several years.”

“Brooklyn has been very busy with the children. I don’t think she knew, and if she did, well, that would be unfortunate. She is rather furious with us for turning Trey over to the FBI. She won’t let us see the kids, told us to stay away.”

“Can’t blame her for that,” Theresa says. “She loves her husband.”

Pat shakes her well-coiffed head. “We love her and Margot like they’re our own. Her rejection hurts terribly.”

“I bet. Did Trey ever discuss his first wife with you?” Drake asks. “Chloe Barrow? She was murdered eleven years ago.”

Pat and Bob exchange a marital glance. Theresa can practically hear it—“We always knew there was something more . . .”

“Goodness, no. That’s horrible news. Just horrible. Who did it?”

“Well, Trey has always been the primary suspect.” Theresa watches them closely.

“That’s such a strange coincidence. Brooklyn’s serious boyfriend was also killed eleven years ago. But she doesn’t talk about that to anyone.”

“What was his name?”

“Alex something? We never knew his last name, did we, dear?” Pat asks.

“Hmm . . . no, I don’t recall that we did. It was around the time her situation with Roger Bandolier went south, though. Poor lamb. She was devastated by his loss.”

Theresa is now on full alert. “Bandolier? Or the boyfriend?”

“Well, both, of course. To have the deaths happen so close together, the same day—to lose her job, the accusations . . . It was terrible for her.”

“What accusations?”

Patricia tucks a shock of hair behind her right ear and shakes her head. “Bandolier was a drug addict. Brooklyn’s father was a drug runner. You do the math.”

Theresa is very much doing the math.

So is Drake. “Is this just hearsay? Or was there an active investigation?”

“You’d have to talk to the French about that. We really don’t know any more.” Bob pointedly looks at his watch. “So sorry to have to run you off . . . but we have another meeting to attend.”

“One last thing,” Theresa says, pulling out her iPad. “Have you ever seen this man before? His name is Aleksey Durov.”

She has the screen homed in on Durov’s face from the Red Notice.

Both Gussins look at the photo, and she watches for any sign of recognition. Both shake their heads.