I went back to the browser window and clicked on the transaction details for the Hesperia Holdings transfer.

There was a routing number associated with the receiving bank.

It was a local branch of a private wealth management firm in the city.

I grabbed my phone and dialed the number of a friend who worked in forensic accounting.

She had helped one of my gallery clients during a difficult partnership split.

The phone rang three times before she answered.

“Clara?” she said. “Is everything okay? I saw the news online about the firm.”

“I need a favor, Sarah,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “A big one.”

“Clara?” Sarah said again. “Are you there?”

“I’m here,” I said, gripping the phone tighter.

“What do you need?” she asked.

“I need you to look at a transaction,” I said.

“An official audit, or off the record?”

“Off the record for now,” I replied. “But it might become official very soon.”

I heard the rustle of papers on her end of the line.

“Tell me what you have,” Sarah said.