The café music continued quietly above us.
Malik pushed the drive closer.
“I hired a licensed financial-compliance consultant. He reviewed public filings, loan documents Gavin left open in Patricia’s study, and business records connected to the boat purchase.”
“You removed documents from her house?”
“No. The loan filing became part of a commercial record after it was processed. The consultant obtained certified copies through lawful channels. Everything on that drive has a source log.”
“What did Gavin do?”
“He used a falsified signature to secure a second mortgage against Patricia’s home. The proceeds moved through a newly formed company and into the boat purchase.”
I stared at the device.
Less than an hour earlier, Patricia had stood in my living room defending the son who had secretly placed her only major asset at risk.
“Does she know?”
“No.”
“Does Camille?”
“She knows I found something, but not the details.”
“Why bring it to me?”
“Because you understand financial records. Because Gavin will destroy anything he can reach once he realizes the money is gone. And because I am tired of watching the people who tell the truth get treated like outsiders in that family.”
I picked up the drive.
Its casing felt cool and unexpectedly heavy.
“Have you opened the files?”
“Yes.”
“Are they complete?”
“Complete enough to raise serious questions.”
“Have you reported them?”
“Not yet. I wanted Patricia’s house protected before Gavin learned we knew.”
That answer mattered.
Malik was not looking for drama.
He was trying to protect an asset belonging to a woman who had rarely treated him with respect.
“What is the password?”
“The founding date of Northline followed by an exclamation point.”
He stood.
“I need to get back to the restaurant.”
“Malik.”
He paused.
“Thank you.”
He nodded once.
“Do something useful with it.”
Upstairs, I locked myself inside my home office and connected the drive to an isolated computer.
The folders were arranged by date.
Loan Origination.
Signature Comparison.
Transfer Records.
Maritime Purchase.
Communications.
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