Page 89 of Axe Backwards
“Construction projects? And there were prices?”
“Price ranges, yes.” I closed my eyes, trying to visualize the proposal I hadn’t looked at in weeks. “And a schedule that lined up with the donations they’d make.”
“So they weren’t offering the work as a donation? Or pro bono?”
I shook my head. “It was strange. He was condescending and offensive, so I got out of there as quickly as I could. Sorry,” I said, already feeling stupid. “I should have asked more questions.”
Noah squeezed my hand. “Don’t apologize.”
I swallowed, the lump in my throat making the task difficult. “The numbers and proposals were off. The whole thing was weird. I’ve been in the nonprofit world for less than two years and still have a lot to learn, but it seemed unorthodox.”
Parker nodded, still taking notes. “Yeah. From what I’ve seen during my investigation, I wouldn’t be surprised if they were attempting to use the food pantry to launder money.”
Heart dropping, I gasped. “Money laundering? Does that actually happen in real life?”
Gus and Chloe nodded, clearly not all that shocked.
My mind spun.
“Thank you,” Parker said, bringing me back to the moment. “This insight is incredibly helpful.”
“Doesn’t this seem far-fetched?” I couldn’t keep the defensiveness out of my tone. I didn’t like the Huxleys either. They flaunted their wealth and rubbed me the wrong way. But Charles Huxley didn’t exactly seem like a crime kingpin.
“We have some insight into their activities and corporate filings,” Parker explained. “It’s not as far-fetched as you think.”
Bile rose in my throat. Had I been courting donations from criminals? Surely I wasn’t that stupid.
“Should Victoria worry that any of this could come back to her?” Chloe asked. The woman was authoritative andbusinesslike and scared me shitless. But I had the feeling that she was the kind of person I’d really want in my corner.
Parker shook her head. “No. She’s done nothing wrong.”
Thank God. I was just trying to buy diapers and eggs for my clients.
God, I was such an idiot.
“Are you okay?” Noah whispered, reaching out to squeeze my hand.
“I feel so stupid. I was so obsessed with getting a big donation that I handed over vital information that probably helped them without question. No wonder they picked me as a mark. I’m a dumbass.”
“You are not,” Noah said, his tone gruff.
“You’ve done nothing wrong,” Parker said again, her tone kinder this time. “And if our theories are correct, a lot of other people have trusted them too. You’re not alone.”
That did nothing to make me feel like less of an idiot. I still couldn’t trust my own judgment. God, I’d worked so hard to make things better, yet I’d inadvertently made them worse.
“Should I speak to the police?” I asked, my heart thumping against my breastbone. “The FBI?”
“We’re still piecing things together. So far, the feds haven’t shown much interest in this lead.”
“Why?” Noah asked, his hand on my knee, imbuing me with his comforting warmth.
“Officially, we only have anecdotal evidence. Records that tell only part of the story.”
“And unofficially?” Noah asked.
Parker sighed. “You know how this world works. This guy is a politician. He knows everyone. He appointed half the judges in the state. He’s friends with powerful people and donates strategically.
“Anything we come up with has got to be rock solid. We have no eyewitnesses or whistleblowers and only one side of some complex business records.”
