“Would you happen to know if Brian set up a company named Daffodil Holdings? It’s officially registered in the Cayman Islands.”
Dee sniffed some more.“Never heard of it. And it belongs to Brian?”
“I’m not sure. It’s possible. Or even likely. You see, the money from Henry’s inheritance? It went straight into that company’s bank account. And so now I was wondering what the connection with Brian could be.”
Dee frowned.“So what are you? Some kind of private investigator all of a sudden? I mean, I don’t want to seem rude or anything, but what’s it to you, Janelle? Or was Henry a relation of yours or something?”
“No, he wasn’t. I guess I’m just naturally curious,” she said with a light shrug.
“Well, I’ve never heard of this company, and I don’t know anything about any payments made to Brian from Henry Kaur’s account. But like I said, if you want to know more, better check with his accountant. She’s been handling Brian’s private affairs as well as the Happy Home account for many years. At least as long as I’ve been with him.” She slumped a little. “Now what am I going to do, Janelle? I’m forty years old, and I’ve been in love with a married man all my life, and now I’m unemployed, and he’s just dumped me for his wife!”
Vesta comforted Dee as best she could, though there wasn’t a lot she could say. She did wonder if she was telling the truth, but she had the impression she was. In fact, much as she hated to say it, this was probably the best time to ask these kinds of questions. One day before, Dee would have been the most loyal PA on the planet. But now there were definite cracks in her loyalty. Cracks that Brian had inflicted himself.
She excused herself, and wished Dee all the best in her future endeavors. She then repeated her conviction that Brian dismissing her was actually a good thing, even though she didn’t see it that way now. In the long run she was sure Dee would realize she had been wasting her time with the guy. Both professionally and personally.
[Êàðòèíêà: img_3]
Chase received the news that Odelia’s team hadn’t found anything in Brian’s office with equanimity. He’d already tracked down the man’s accountant, and was about to call her when Vesta got on the horn to deliver her report from the front lines at Happy Home.
“Dee says she doesn’t know anything about any money being deposited into her boss’s account,” said Vesta. “And honestly? I’m inclined to believe her. She also told me to talk to the accountant. Accountants always know.”
“I’m one step ahead of you, Vesta,” said Chase. “I was just about to call her when you rang.”
“Then don’t let me keep you,” said Vesta, and asked to keep her informed.
The accountant proved most useful, especially when he told her he could get a warrant if he wanted to.
“That won’t be necessary, detective,” said Miss Fisher. “I’ve got nothing to hide.”
In a few words he explained the details of the case, and the kind of information he needed from her. Her answer was swift.
“The accounts for Happy Home are sound, but the company isn’t exactly swimming in money. So no, the kind of sums you mention never found their way into the Happy Home account. And neither, before you ask me, in Mr. Brooks’s personal account. Yes, I handle his personal account as well, and histax declarations. And I can assure you that even though Mr. Brooks is well-off, he is not a millionaire, nor has he ever received such substantial sums.”
“And he’s not the owner of a company named Daffodil Holdings, registered in the Cayman Islands?”
She was quiet for a moment, and when she resumed speech, sounded a lot more cautious than before.“Not that I’m aware of, detective.”
“And no payments have ever been made from Daffodil Holdings to bank accounts controlled by Brian Brooks?”
“Not to my knowledge,” she said, and then added, “Okay, so maybe you should get that warrant. Just to make sure everything is handled correctly.” And then she hung up.
And somehow Chase had the impression that the next person Miss Fisher was going to call was her client Brian Brooks, urgently advising him to contact a lawyer.
45
When Odelia called Gran, giving her more instructions, we knew that this time it was something big. Judging from Gran’s expression, whatever was going on was in fact huge.
The moment she disconnected, she stared before her for a moment, then turned to Scarlett.“Now get a load of this. Chase talked to Brian’s accountant, and she claims that she never heard of this Daffodil Holdings business, or the Cayman Islands. She also claims that no extra funds were ever transferred into Brian’s personal bank account, or Happy Home’s bank account. But Al Powell said that thirteen residents—Henry included—left their inheritance to the home, and that he personally gave their banks instructions to transfer that money. So where are those funds?”
“Gone without a trace?” said Scarlett.