The recipient was a shell company registered in Delaware called TV Holdings.

“TV,” Liam muttered. “Who is TV?”

I opened a secondary folder containing scanned PDF contracts from the Apex legal database.

The signature page of the lease agreements for TV Holdings was signed by a trustee.

But the ultimate beneficial owner was listed in the appendix.

“Thomas Vance,” I said, reading the name aloud.

“The State Senator,” Liam said, his voice dropping.

“He’s the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee,” I said.

“He’s the one who authorized the state grants for Apex Development in the first place.”

“Ethan is laundering the money and kicking it back to him,” Liam said.

“Over fifteen million dollars over the last two years,” I said, scrolling through the rows of numbers.

The screen reflected in Liam’s eyes as he stared at the figures.

“Vance controls the state police budget,” Liam said. “He appoints the regional commissioners.”

“That’s why the local detectives wouldn’t take my call,” I said.

“They aren’t just lazy. They are protected by the man who funds them.”

A sudden vibration on the desk made us both jump.