Page 53 of Resolution

“Eighteen million so far,” Noah said, “and I suspect the only reason the law firm hasn’t noticed the money missing from the account is because that trust account belongs to a former client of Aston’s. The client is deceased, the family has been trying to get the estate settled for almost four years. The trust account for that client is supposed to remain untouched until the estate is settled.”

“Wow,” I said, looking at Raven and glancing back at the others. “So, why hasn’t the family of the deceased simply asked for the trust account money a long time ago?”

“We think it’s because the estate is massive with over fifteen large commercial properties, several hundred residential properties, and too many bank accounts to count associated with it,” Judy said.

“That doesn’t answer the question, Judy.”

“Oh, I forgot to add the man died intestate.” She looked up. “Maybe he had Aston do the will but the beneficiaries to the estate don’t know it exists.”

“Jesus,” I spat.

“That’s what we said,” Lincoln said. “We do believe a will exists but assuming this client did all his estate planning with Aston, and the attorney saw this massive estate with property and cash, he most likely told the guy he’d set up an investment portfolio for him, requiring the law firm’s trust account.”

“To top it all off, there are several ex-wives, multiple children, and stepchildren all fighting for the money,” Judy added.

“Aston’s been doing the two-step with this estate for years then,” I said, almost mystified at how the attorney had been so blatant. “He must have known he’d eventually be caught.”

“We think so too,” Mac said, “but Aston probably has the partners convinced he can drag this probate out for years, collecting billable hours because there are so many REITs involved. That’s real estate investment trusts and bank accounts.”

“More acronyms,” Raven said, shaking his head. I smiled. “But someone’s going to figure it out soon,” Raven added. “I’m shocked that he’s been able to drag it out this long.”

“And our Financial Crimes Division will have afieldday with this when the time is right,” Lincoln said. “It’ll probably mean disbarment for every one of Aston’s partners, but for now, we think Castillo is tired of waiting.”

“Aston has to have an ulcer the size of Texas with a cartel gun pointing at his head,” Mike said. “Or a knife. The cartel uses those delightful machete things.”

I nodded. “I can’t imagine robbing Peter to pay Paul for four years, knowing that he has the choice between a long federal prison sentence, or a slow death at the hands of Oscar Castillo.”

“So, you think Tawny Flores is down in the Caymans so that she can show her ID and get the fifty million released. But why is Brian Leopard there with Trevor?” I asked.

“We’ve been looking into Brian’s emails ever since we learned of his involvement,” Noah said. “We saw this on Friday morning.”

Judy and Noah’s faces disappeared from the screen, replaced by an email from Tawny to Brian.

“Hi, love. I have to fly down to the Caymans tonight and meet with my attorney to finally sign some important papers. I know you’ve been through so much with the break-in and everything. Why don’t you and Trevor pack a bag and come with me? I know you could use the time away to get out of your head for a couple of days. There’s a fantastic spa and their masseuse is to die for. We’ll eat fresh seafood, visit art galleries, and do as much shopping as you’d like. My treat, sweetie. All I have to do is make a quick stop at the bank on Thursday morning. How does that sound?

Hit me up as soon as you can. We take off from LAX at 6:05 p.m. and since we’re boarding in the new executive terminal, we get to do TSA and Customs there. We’ll be there at five p.m. sharp. My attorney is letting us use his firm’s private Gulf Stream. It’ll be fun. Kiss kiss. Love you, Tawny.”

“Then, Brian’s reply.”

“Oh, you sweet girl, how wonderful! I just read this to Trevor and he’s over the moon. We can’t wait to see you! I love it! See you then, Tawns.”

“Tawns?” Raven snorted.

“We thought the same thing,” Lincoln said, smiling. “So, that’s another reason why we’re convinced Brian Leopard is innocent in this mess.” He looked at Damon as Judy and Noah reappeared on the screen again. “Why don’t you tell Raven and Miguel the rest, Damon.”

I turned my attention to the former operative. “There’s more?”

Damon nodded, looking serious. “Do you want to show them the footage from outside the plantation house, Noah?”

“Sure. This is video feed from that camera at the gate to the estate. It was taken two hours ago.” The screen instantly switched to a camera feed. It was the same one they’d first shown us…with the red dirt road, the lush jungle almost looking sinister now. In the distance a large SUV could clearly be seen coming up the road toward what I now knew to be the plantation house. The camera showed the road from a higher-than-average angle which meant it was probably mounted on a gate pillar.

This time the image stayed fixed on the SUV which became larger and larger the closer it got. If it was the same camera, which had been panning before, that meant it was being operated by someone. I mentally tried to count how many guards were holed up on the grounds, knowing Castillo was probably being guarded by a fuck load of heavily-armed men. If this was the base of operations for the cartel, hell, there could be a hundred sicarios in that place. It was big enough. The vehicle was black, and a single figure drove. As the Land Rover got close enough, I narrowed my eyes to see the driver’s face.

“Pause it, Noah,” Snow said.

The feed stopped and the man’s face was clear on the screen. He was only vaguely familiar to me. “Who is that?”

“You don’t recognize him?”

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