Chapter 5 - THE FEDERAL INVESTIGATION
Special Agent Michael Reeves first met Maya in a conference room with no windows.
The room was located inside a federal office building in downtown Chicago.
It contained a long table, several chairs, and a wall clock that ticked loudly enough for Maya to notice every passing second.
Rebecca sat beside her.
Daniel Brooks occupied the chair across from them.
Reeves entered carrying a slim folder.
A second agent followed him.
She introduced herself as Special Agent Olivia Grant.
Reeves sat down.
"Mrs. Vance, I'm sorry for your loss."
"Thank you."
"We understand this is a difficult time."
Maya nodded.
Reeves opened the folder.
"Your attorney contacted us regarding financial records associated with Vance Capital Management."
"Yes."
"Before we begin, I want to make something clear."
Maya looked at him.
"This investigation is about potential federal financial crimes."
He spoke carefully.
"We are not here to investigate your husband's infidelity or his conduct as a spouse."
Maya understood.
She had never expected the government to arrest David simply because he had been cruel.
But the distinction still hurt.
The most devastating thing he had done to her might not be a crime.
And the crimes he may have committed had been hidden beneath years of ordinary family life.
"I understand," she said.
Reeves nodded.
"Then let's discuss the records."
For nearly three hours, Maya answered questions.
She described David's business operations.
She explained how her access to financial accounts had changed.
She identified signatures she believed were forged.
She discussed the companies she recognized and those she did not.
Olivia took notes.
Reeves occasionally asked Maya to clarify dates.
At one point, he placed a document in front of her.
"Do you recognize this agreement?"
Maya looked down.
It was a corporate authorization form.
Her name appeared at the bottom.
"No."
"Is that your signature?"
"No."
"Are you certain?"
"Yes."
Reeves turned the page.
"According to the record, this agreement authorized David Vance to execute certain transactions on your behalf."
Maya studied the date.
"That was the week Lily broke her arm."
Rebecca glanced toward her.
Maya continued.
"We were at the hospital that afternoon."
Olivia looked up.
"Do you have records showing that?"
"Yes."
Maya swallowed.
"I kept all of Lily's medical paperwork."
Reeves nodded.
"That may help us verify the timeline."
Later, Daniel presented his financial analysis.
He had identified patterns consistent with potential investor deception.
Money was being transferred through layers of entities with limited apparent commercial purpose.
Several investment funds appeared to have been represented as holding assets that did not match the available records.
But Daniel was careful.
He did not claim the entire scheme was proven.
He explained which transactions were documented, which conclusions remained preliminary, and what additional bank records would be needed.
Reeves listened without interrupting.
Finally, he asked, "Have you shared these findings with anyone associated with Vance Capital?"
"No," Rebecca answered.
"Good."
Reeves looked at Maya.
"Has your husband attempted to contact you?"
"No."
"Do you expect him to return?"
"In eleven days."
"Are you certain?"
Maya removed her phone.
She showed him David's final message.
Reeves read it.
His expression remained professional.
But Olivia glanced toward Maya.
"Is your daughter the child you mentioned earlier?"
Maya nodded.
Olivia lowered her eyes.
"I'm sorry."
Maya looked at the table.
"Thank you."
Reeves returned the phone.
"Please preserve the original message and related records."
"I will."
He folded his hands.
"Mrs. Vance, we may need to speak with you again."
"Of course."
"And until then, don't attempt to conduct your own investigation."
Maya nodded.
"We'll follow your instructions."
As the meeting ended, Reeves walked them toward the hallway.
Then he stopped.
"One more thing."
Maya turned.
"Your husband has several business associates who may also be involved."
She waited.
"If any of them contacts you, inform your attorney."
"Why?"
Reeves hesitated.
"Because people facing serious financial exposure sometimes become unpredictable."
Maya looked at him.
"Do you think David knows?"
"Knows what?"
"That someone has discovered the transfers."
Reeves considered his answer.
"I can't tell you what he knows."
Then he added, "But based on the financial activity we're reviewing, he has reason to be concerned."
That evening, Maya returned to the temporary apartment Rachel had helped her find.
It was small.
Quiet.
Overlooking a narrow street lined with autumn trees.
There were no marble floors.
No crystal chandeliers.
No elaborate security gates.
Just two bedrooms, a kitchen, a living room, and a balcony large enough for three flowerpots.
Maya stood at the window for a long time.
Then she opened a cardboard box.
Inside was Lily's yellow raincoat.
Maya lifted it carefully.
Rachel watched from the doorway.
"Do you want me to put that away?"
Maya shook her head.
"No."
She hung the coat beside the apartment door.
Rachel said nothing.
A few minutes later, Maya's phone rang.
Unknown number.
She hesitated.
Then answered.
"Hello?"
A man's voice spoke.
"Mrs. Vance?"
"Yes."
"My name is Paul Mercer."
Maya went still.
David's chief financial officer.
"I hope I'm not disturbing you."
Maya looked toward Rachel.
"What do you want?"
Paul hesitated.
"I think we need to talk."
"About what?"
There was a pause.
May you like
Then he said something that changed the direction of the entire investigation.
"About the documents David made me sign."
