Page 44 of Reconciling the Consequences

“Case Holdings is a shell company, obviously. They’ve been listed as a research firm on all of the billable hours your father and the other senior partners have ever billed.”

Kara nodded. “Right. Stephanie said that much yesterday.”

Jack nodded and continued. “Yes, and I’m sure from your own digging you discovered you couldn’t find much on Case Holdings. Any income they receive goes into an account owned by Candy Creek Inc., yet another shell company.”

Kara’s eyebrows creased as they pulled together. “I did manage to get that far when I was searching through our records. I even went as far as looking into Candy Creek through public records. Candy Creek was established as a business by the Candle-Carla Trust. So, I started digging into the Candle-Carla Trust, and the only trustee I was able to find was Candy Creek Inc.”

Jack smiled broadly. “You did good work. I was able to dig deeper for you, though. The Candle-Carla Trust is registered to a law firm in the Cayman Islands: Carlita Associates.”

Kara gasped and her heart plummeted to her stomach.

“Kara?” Kevin moved in closer, wrapping his arm around her.

“Say that again.” Kara gasped, eyes wide.

Jack looked concerned. “Carlita Associates is the name of the law firm in the Cayman Islands. Candle-Carla Trust is registered to Carlita Associates and owns Candy Creek Inc. Candy Creek is just another shell company being used to funnel the money from Case Holdings out of the US. Jack spelled it out for her.

Kara had to sit down. She stumbled toward the barstool at the island and flopped down. Her heart was pounding. She couldn’t breathe. How was it that after all this time she hadn’t seen it? Never put two and two together?

“Kara?” Kevin asked, concerned.

“My mother’s name was Carlita Candela. She was a single mother trying her hardest to raise two kids in Creekton,” Kara explained slowly.

The truth dawned on Kevin’s face as he slowly sat down at the island with her and Jack.

“She tried her best, but life was hard with two kids. Marcos protected me from a lot growing up, but it wasn’t a secret that mom was stripper. Things were always tight growing up, single mom, two kids, same ole story.” She shrugged. “She went by the name Candy at night. During the day, she cleaned houses. The women in the neighborhood often called her Candle because she always had a smile on her face.” Kara smiled sadly, remembering her mother. “She could light up a room just by walking in and smiling.

“I don’t know how I missed this.” Kara shook her head. “My dad has been retired for the last year, traveling he’s said, but I tracked his flight info—he’s mostly only ever gone to the Caribbean. How could I not have looked deeper?”

“Hey, don’t beat yourself up,” Jack said. “He did a really good job hiding his tracks, an amazing job actually. I’m just better, and a lot of that was made easier by the report from Stonewall Financials. Your friend definitely gave us both a head start. You had the right idea hiring a forensic accountant.”

Kara nodded slowly. Her head was swimming.

“So now what?” Kevin asked.

“Now you have to build your case,” Jack said, looking at Kara. “Everything Stephanie gave you is legal. You can connect the dots to your father with that, then dig into Carlita Associates in the Caymans. You should be able to find the legal registration for it. Might have to take a flight, but you should be able to find it.”

She nodded slowly. “I can do that, build my case and present it to the DA.”

Kevin smiled grimly. “You going to be OK?” he asked.

Kara shrugged and shook her head. “I’m not sure.”

“Let me know if I can help with anything else. I already gave Kevin a new laptop and cell phone. They’ll be the most secure things you can use.”

Kara forced a smile on her face. “Thank you, Jack, and thank you for digging. Seriously, I appreciate the help.”

“Anytime, Kara. It was nice to meet Kevin’s girl for a change.” Jack smiled.

Kevin groaned loudly and Kara laughed.

“I’m sure Mom will love to meet her,” Jack continued.

“Don’t you dare.” Kevin groaned.

Jack grinned. “I have to now that I’ve met her. What else am I going to tell Mom about during our weekly call? All I do is work, and I get tired of her ragging on me to settle down. Let’s get her focused on you for a change.”

“I hear the same shit you do, so don’t act like you’re the only one who hears about it!” Kevin snapped good-naturedly.

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