Page 40 of Dead Air
"Private transfer requires court order for disclosure."
"Which you can't obtain without active case status." Fiona photographed the statements. "But I have other options."
"Banking sources?"
"I've got a friend who was a financial crimes reporter. Worked that beat for twelve years. Developed contactsthroughout the industry." Fiona gave her a pointed look. "What's your theory about these deposits?"
"Either Monica was taking money from someone, or someone wanted it to look like she was."
"Payoffs from criminal informants?"
"Department protocol requires documentation of all informant payments. These don't appear in any official records." Lawson tapped the account number. "Someone went to considerable effort to keep these transfers invisible."
Fiona studied the timeline more carefully. "Rafferty case assignment here. First payment arrives. Investigation deepens, payments continue. She dies, payments stop. Perfect correlation between her progress and the money."
"Or a perfect setup if someone wanted to discredit her investigation," Lawson said defensively. "Plant evidence of corruption in the investigator's finances. Classic misdirection strategy."
Monica's reputation for integrity had been absolute within the department. Financial impropriety would have destroyed that reputation posthumously, undermining any evidence she'd gathered.
"I need to trace the source," Lawson said, trying to calm herself down. "Confirm whether Monica even knew about these deposits."
"My contact can help with technical tracking. But I need something from you." Fiona leaned back, switching to negotiation mode. "Background on Monica's investigation. Context for what these payments might represent."
"Most of her case materials were seized during the official investigation."
"But you maintained copies of key documents. Smart detectives always keep insurance files." Fiona's assessmentcarried certainty rather than speculation. "Especially when working corruption cases."
Lawson considered the request. Sharing Monica's materials violated department protocols and potentially compromised ongoing investigations.
"What I share stays confidential until we understand what we're dealing with."
"Agreed." Fiona extended her hand across the table. "Temporary partnership. Your police expertise, my financial resources."
They shook hands, and both stood simultaneously, business concluded. Fiona paused at the coffee shop exit.
"Why approach me with this? Could have taken it directly to federal investigators."
Lawson pushed through the door, the afternoon heat hitting her face as they emerged onto the sidewalk. "Because you understand how narratives get constructed around incomplete information. If someone planted this money trail, they built it knowing how investigators would interpret the evidence."
"You need someone who thinks like the people creating false stories."
"Exactly."
chapter
sixteen
Morning sunlight filteredthrough live oak branches, casting dappled shadows across Forsyth Park. The fountain sprayed water skyward in crystalline arcs. Joggers circled the perimeter while tourists posed for photos against the landmark.
Lawson sat on the east bench for the third time in twelve hours. Last night she'd searched by phone flashlight, fingers probing beneath the wooden slats, eyes scanning the fountain base for hiding spots. Rain-soaked and frustrated, she'd returned home past midnight only to arrive again at dawn.
The bench revealed nothing. No hidden compartment. No loose brick in the fountain wall. No insurance policy that Monica might have left five years ago.
She ran her hand along the bench underside again. Splinters snagged her fingertips. Birds scattered as a child raced past screaming with delight. Eight a.m. and already the park filled with activity, each passerby a potential witness to her increasingly desperate search.
Her phone vibrated. Claire's name on the screen. Lawson answered.
"Can you come to my office? Something you need to see."
