“They are listed as legal settlements.”

“Settlements for what?” I asked.

“For non-existent lawsuits,” Dante explained.

“Vanessa Hale filed dozens of fake claims against Marcus’s shell companies.”

“The companies then ‘settled’ the cases out of court.”

“And the money was transferred directly into offshore accounts controlled by Hale’s firm.”

I looked at Marcus.

“You were laundering the money through your own attorney’s trust accounts.”

Marcus sneered, though his face was pale.

“Prove it,” Marcus said.

“Vanessa is the best in the city. Her books are spotless.”

“No books are spotless,” Dante said.

He pulled out a small USB drive from the briefcase pocket.

“Especially when they are shared with me.”

He handed the folder and the USB drive to his lead guard.

“Get these to the car. Secure the laptop.”

“Yes, Mr. Russo,” the guard said, taking the items and moving quickly up the stairs.

Dante looked at me again.

His hand reached out, his thumb gently wiping a smudge of dirt from my cheek.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked softly.

“I’m sure,” I said, though my body was trembling slightly.