Chapter 4 - David Sterling Had Been Stealing More Than WagesThe investigation expanded.
Sterling's Bistro wasn't simply underpaying workers.
David Sterling had created fake employee accounts.
Money was being transferred into shell companies.
Then those companies were sending money to politicians, inspectors, and private security firms.
But the largest payments went somewhere else.
A company named Blackridge Logistics.
Vincent knew the name.
So did his men.
“Blackridge has been laundering money through restaurants for years,” Vincent explained.
Mom looked frightened.
“Does David work for you?”
Vincent shook his head.
“No.”
“Then who?”
Vincent didn't answer.
He showed us a photograph.
A man stood beside David Sterling.
My mother gasped.
I recognized him.
He had visited our apartment once.
He had given me a chocolate bar.
His name was Thomas Vale.
Vincent's expression darkened.
“Thomas was my second-in-command.”
“Was?”
“He betrayed me.”
The room became silent.
Then Vincent looked at Mom.
“Your husband discovered it.”
Mom covered her mouth.
“My husband knew?”
“Yes.”
“And that's why he disappeared?”
Vincent didn't answer immediately.
Finally:
“That's what I believe.”
I looked at him.
“Then Daddy isn't dead.”
Nobody spoke.
Vincent stared at me.
“We don't know.”
“But if he knew about the bad man…”
I looked at the documents.
“…maybe he ran away.”
Vincent crouched in front of me.
“Rory.”
“Yes?”
“If your father is alive, I'll find him.”
“Promise?”
Vincent hesitated.
May you like
Then nodded.
“I promise.”
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