Chapter 8 - THE SECRET GRANT COULDN'T HIDE
I confronted Grant that evening.
I didn't shout.
I placed a copy of Laura's report on the table and asked him why his name appeared in it.
He stared at the document for a long time.
Then he sat down.
"I never wanted anyone hurt," he said.
"That isn't an answer."
He explained that Peter had approached him several years earlier with a proposal to streamline procurement through a network of outside vendors.
Grant had served on a hospital fundraising committee and had helped introduce Peter to several donors.
At first, the arrangements appeared legitimate.
Then Grant began receiving payments for consulting work he hadn't actually performed.
He told himself the money represented compensation for introductions and business development.
When he learned that some invoices might be false, he should have reported them.
Instead, he stayed quiet.
He feared losing his position in the hospital's foundation circle, damaging his reputation, and exposing his own financial problems.
Serena had entered his life during that period.
She knew about the payments and convinced him that the situation could be controlled.
Their affair had become entangled with the financial scheme.
She had helped establish Vale Medical Consulting, and Grant had introduced the company as a potential service provider.
"Did you know about the forged documents?" I asked.
He looked away.
"Not when they were first created."
"That's not what I asked."
He swallowed.
"I knew about the guarantee after it had been submitted."
"And you did nothing."
"I was afraid."
I looked at the man I'd loved for twenty-two years.
His fear was real.
So was his betrayal.
"Why did you let Serena call herself your wife?"
He gave a bitter laugh.
"Because I wanted her to believe she had a future with me. Because I was selfish. Because I thought I could keep my marriage and have everything else without consequences."
For once, he wasn't blaming anyone else.
But there was still something he hadn't explained.
I pointed to Laura's report.
"Why did she mention you?"
Grant closed his eyes.
"She asked me whether the invoices were legitimate. I told her not to interfere with procurement."
"Why?"
"Because Peter said he'd fix the records. He promised the missing equipment would be delivered."
"And was it?"
Grant shook his head.
"No."
I stood up.
"Then you need to tell investigators everything."
He nodded.
Before I reached the door, he spoke again.
"There's one thing I never told you about Serena."
May you like
I turned.
"She wasn't the first woman Peter recruited into the scheme."
