There was no way she wanted to think about that particular episode at that time. “Yes, but I’ve been working at untangling that mess, and I noticed something. However, I can’t dig deeper. I reviewed the accounts that were linked to you, and it’s obvious that the money funding them is more than questionable.”
The brothers looked at each other, but it was Liam who spoke first. “How questionable?”
“The holy grail so to speak. If given to the right person, it may interest the authorities.”
It astonished her how Lazarus seemed unconcerned by it all. “Anything linking Finch to all this?”
“I’d be more concerned about how it impacts you, Lazarus. Because I know you, all of you, I filter that information differently, but anybody else will see you as squandering money, and not a small amount.”
“How much have you found?” Sam came closer, his eyes darkening.
“A billion. A mix of public and private money.”
Lazarus whistled and Liam cursed in echo. “Fuck, Oz! That’s not something small. Angel, where is it coming from? Do you have an idea yet?”
It warmed her heart that he referred to the nickname he’d given her. “With the data and the access I have, it seems like legitimate sources, but that’s where it doesn’t click in my mind.”
“Why is that?”
“Nobody in this day and age could move that amount of money without raising suspicion.”
Lazarus angled his head, considering her words. “You think they’re false? A decoy of some kind?”
“Unless I can further track where the money is possibly coming from, I’m stuck where I’m at with no way to confirm where it’s coming from or who planted it there. And that’s only if they were stupid enough to leave any clues. If they were thorough, it might take a miracle to untangle this mess and prove your innocence. If I turned this information in, you’d have the FBI knocking at your door in less than a minute.”
Lazarus grinned, and Catriona wondered if he was back to normal. “It’s serious, Lazarus. You could go to jail for the rest of your life.”
His amusement turned into steely resolve. “I take what my monster of a father does very seriously, Catriona. I’m past threats of jail. If I have to give my life to make sure he no longer walks this earth and threatens my family, I’ll do it gladly.”
Emotion prevented her from speaking, and she turned to Sam for support, but she only saw the same hardness in the brother. Her heart clenched when her eyes locked with Liam, who harbored the same expression. His eyes glinted like steel, and Catriona almost swayed at the implication. All three of them accepted the possibility of sacrificing themselves to make sure that the others would be forever safe.
Catriona knew she wouldn’t be able to live with herself if she didn’t protect the brothers from that folly, if she didn’t bring Finch down herself and made sure the brothers, and Liam, were safe.
“I’m not considering that scenario. Don’t ask me that. Not while we have more data to uncover. I need someone who can continue my research, dig as much as possible without raising any flags. We don’t know who’s watching the accounts.”
Lazarus nodded. “I agree. I’d rather avoid any collateral damage that could come our way. I know someone who could help. ‘Could’ being the operative the word. The guy can be volatile. It depends on which side of the bed he woke up on this morning.”
“Is he a good man?” Lazarus blinked, and from the corner of her eye, she saw Liam smile so she continued before he could say a word. “I believe that a good man will help.”
Lazarus looked at Liam with admiration before returning to her. “I think that if anybody could convince him to help, it would be you. I’ll give him a call and ask if he’d listen to you. I think that you’d be in a better position, between geeks, to explain what you need from him. I’ll call him and let you know. Cross your fingers that he answers and is willing to help us.”
It was precisely what she hoped for from Lazarus, help to uncover where the money was coming from. Deep down, she knew that once she solved that mystery, she’d know where to hit and close the money flow for Finch, once and for all.
Lazarus leaned back on his bed, and Catriona turned away, a bit in a daze, just grateful that she’d pushed back the brothers’ extreme plans, especially Liam.
Not that she didn’t care about Lazarus and Sam, but the idea of Liam’s life on the line, even for a noble cause, messed with her heart, poisoning it with rising panic.
Apart from prayer, the only thing she knew that would give her any resemblance of peace was work. Breathless, she rushed back to her office, closed the door, and sat back behind the screen.
Deep breaths helped, and as soon as her eyes fixed on the endless rows of numbers, she relaxed. Maybe there was something she’d been missing, even if that possibility were only a wish.
As her brain checked the data once more, her lips were mumbling an endless prayer.
Her eyes burned, and the more options she dismissed, the more Lazarus’ friend became the only possible path.
Naturally, her hands came together, and she bowed her head. While her words sent a desperate request, her heart went to Liam. Whatever the Heavens sent her way, all she wanted was for Liam to live and for her to be strong enough to keep him safe.
