Mystery Loves Company

Chapter 54 - File #6.9: The Odd Fellas

Ten years ago, Adrian Knight started his story, his real estate company was still a small business. He met Jonathan Garner through a business seminar and a few months later, they made a deal to work together.

"I've established my real estate business because of him," he reminisced. "He practically pulled me out of my misery, made my company one of the best in the country. I was really satisfied... until someone said that I could triple what I got." He paused, feeling burdened to continue. "Matthew Landon. You might know him as the Mayor's son."

Rhett and I glanced at each other. We've known him as anything else but the Mayor's son.

"He gave me a tempting offer, because I didn't have to spend so much to get more," he said. "Coincidentally, some of my clients were looking to invest in a hotel. So, just like that, Garner Constructions was responsible for the development of the first five-star hotel in Havenbrook. Landon, who made himself in charge of any decisions, was trying to get as much money as he could from the investors, but used as little as it could be for the development."

"So, illegal money? Sounds like a normal rich businessman problem to me," jested Rhett.

"Well, we acted like it was normal, until they found out and tried to sue us for fraud," added Adrian. "But luck was on our side as their attorney couldn't win because there weren't enough proofs to back up their statements."

"That wasn't luck," Rhett snorted. Of course, he would react negatively the moment someone mentioned the L word in front of him. "Landon was smart and counted every moves, that's why he should know that there was no chance he was gonna win, especially if the investors had the bills, transaction histories—all that could easily pushed him to the side. So... either he forged the papers, or... bribery."

"Bribing the judge?" I was slightly surprised. That man really stooped that low.

"Not exactly. We did play safe, but we were saved because the money couldn't be traced back to us."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Do you want to know why your father got involved in this?" He asked back, and then looked at me. "I really thought that he was just another small businessman looking to expand his business and was tempted by Landon's offer as well... but he was actually there to investigate Landon's private foundation."

"Victoria Foundation!" Rhett and I exclaimed simultaneously.

"Yeah. They might help those in need, but did anyone ever look into the charity works they claimed they did? No, nobody did, except Detective Leonard Pierce."

That sounded a lot like the father I used to know. He always got into the details, and wouldn't sleep if he hadn't figured out a case. "You mean... the works were inexistent?"

"No, I'm not saying they were fake. I'm saying that the source of the funds they've used were questionable."

Rhett shrugged. "I'm gonna say they're rich, but I'm sensing that's not what you mean by 'questionable'."

"Detective Pierce was initially investigating a tax fraud by a person who claimed to have donated most of his income to Victoria Foundation. Long story short, he found some suspicious numbers in their files that didn't match with the actual income," explained Adrian. "A private foundation gets its financial support from a single individual or donors. Yes, Victoria Foundation did have money to establish it, but they needed donors to keep it work. Victoria Foundation didn't have enough donors to fund all those 'generous' acts, but the works kept rolling."

"Garner Constructions," Rhett snapped his fingers. "Landon needed a cover for the money he obtained illegally through the company and used it for charity." He was speechless for a second. "I can't believe he used illegal money to help people. He didn't even do it out of kindness!"