He said:
“If Gloria Sutter personally confirms this transfer, clear it. If anyone else does, wait.”
That was why five-point-one million remained frozen.
Kristen tried to move it within hours.
The bank delayed.
The remaining nine hundred thousand had already been split toward fees, deposits, and three other accounts.
Investigators traced most of those too.
By the end of the week, nearly $5.7 million was restrained.
Not returned yet.
But visible.
The rest would take longer.
Martin’s cowardice helped create the crime.
His final panic helped preserve the money.
Both.
I agreed to meet him once.
Police-approved.
Lawyer present.
He entered Daniel’s conference room and looked twenty years older.
“Gloria.”
I said nothing.
He sat.
His hands trembled.
“Elaine died twelve years ago.”
“I remember.”
“I never told her what I did.”
“This is not about Elaine.”
“I know.”
“Then don’t hide behind a dead woman.”
His face collapsed.
Good.
He nodded.
