Page 41 of Stranded with the Billionaire
“Michael found out about the discrepancies when Dad retired as head of the company. He had an independent audit conducted,” Max explained. “It found no conclusive evidence where the money came from or where it went to. Michael brought the matter to Christian Gains and the lawyer team. However, when Michael had his surgery and resigned, the matter was neglected.”
“Do you think Gains was in on the money laundering?” Jake wondered why it hadn’t been followed up. Missing money was a big deal. Especially if the amounts mirrored what had been filtered through Ramesly Insurance.
“I don’t know,” Max looked at Michael who shook his head then shrugged. “We both like to think that Gains is an honest man.”
Christian Gains was now head of Ramesly Pharmaceuticals. The only Ramesly currently working at the company was Noah. He was head of the laboratory division and likely to be groomed for the role of director once Gains retired, something that Noah was not looking forward to.
“I need to know what they have on you for evidence and when your hearing is,” Jake informed them. “We are going to get to the bottom of this. I assume you’re pleading not guilty?”
Michael grimaced and nodded.
“What’s that about?” Jake looked at Max for an explanation.
“The judge wants him to verbalize his plea,” Max said dryly. “Michael thinks he’s going to mess it up.”
Michael gestured in a motion. With his expression, it was easy for Jake to understand that Michael was pretty certain he would mess up the plea.
“Then don’t do it,” Jake responded. “They can’t make you. Plus, it would look bad to a jury if you can say that and nothing much else in your defense. However, let’s hope it doesn’t get that far. I’m going to hire the best investigators that I can to figure out what is really going on here.”
“We’ve already done that,” Max commented. “We’re doing our best to get Michael out of here.”
“What about bail?” Jake asked Max.
“That’s to be decided when Michael enters his plea,” Max shrugged. “I bet it’s going to be a pretty penny.”
Michael made a couple of motions with his hands.
Jake looked to Max for clarification.
“He says we’re not to make ourselves poor trying to bail him out. All the accounts for Ramesly Pharma have been frozen as well as Michael’s assets,” Max responded. He checked his watch. “We only have a couple of minutes left so let’s get to the good news.”
“Good news?” Jake didn’t see how there could be any.
Max pulled out a couple of pictures from his shirt with a happy smile. “The guard said I could give these to you.”
Michael took the photos and looked at them in awe. He pressed a hand to his mouth and blinked back tears.
“They’re all perfect. Ten fingers, ten toes,” Max continued proudly with his news. “Piaget and Elle are extremely jealous.”
Michael looked at Max sharply, a question in his eyes.
“Ann is okay. She’s tired and is going to need a lot of help which we are more than happy to provide,” Max answered gently. “She and Amy miss you.”
Michael wiped his eyes a moment and had a smile at the picture. His daughter Amy was smiling as she stood next to the three tiny babies lined up in a hospital bassinet. Michael had four daughters now. Just six years ago, no one would have thought this would have happened. Six years ago, Michael and Ann had simply been boss and secretary.
“Four girls?” Jake was surprised. That had to be the longest streak of girls in Ramesly history. In all the cousins there were fourteen boys and one girl. For Michael to have four girls, it was unheard of for Rameslys.
“We’re going to get you home to those girls of yours,” Max promised.
Michael nodded, still looking at the pictures.
The door opened and the guard stood there, waiting to usher Max and Jake away. They said their goodbyes and took their leave. Walking down the corridor Max gave Jake a long look. “He’s innocent.”
Jake nodded. Now that he’d had a chance to talk to Michael, all doubts had been removed from his mind. He did believe that Michael had nothing to do with the drug smuggling. That left the only conclusion that he was being framed by his father David. Jake didn’t know how they were going to prove it. “We’ll pool our resources to get him out. I’ll help however I can.”
“What you could do is reach out to that tabloid reporter,” Max suggested seriously.
“What?” Jake stiffened.
