I worked as senior counsel in the financial crimes division of the State Attorney General’s Office.
Richard knew I was a lawyer.
He probably assumed I spent my days reviewing contracts and sitting in courtrooms.
What he didn’t know was that his name had already appeared in an unrelated financial inquiry months earlier.
A network of businesses and charities had raised questions about unusual transactions connected to several commercial properties.
Richard’s company had surfaced more than once.
There hadn’t been enough evidence to take meaningful action.
But I knew exactly who could tell us whether Emily’s information was relevant.
I looked at her.
“I know someone we can speak to. But nothing happens unless you’re comfortable.”
Emily thought for a long moment.
Then she nodded.
“Call.”
At 12:47 a.m., on our wedding night, I called Special Agent Marcus Reed.
He answered after several rings.
“Mercer? Aren’t you supposed to be celebrating?”
“I am.”
Something in my voice changed his tone.
“What happened?”
I explained that Emily had shared information involving Richard.
I was careful.
I didn’t exaggerate.
I didn’t make accusations I couldn’t support.
I simply told him what we had.
The voicemail.
Emily’s account of years of pressure.
And something else she remembered while we were talking.
“There’s an old bank account,” she said.
“What bank account?”
“Richard opened it in my name when I was eighteen. He called it a family account. I never used it.”
She logged into an old email address.
There were records of transfers.
Some were small.
Others were much larger.
Several had arrived after difficult family arguments.
Alongside a few of them were messages reminding Emily that private family matters should remain private.
I didn’t jump to conclusions.
But it was enough to raise questions.
Marcus listened carefully.
“Send me copies of everything,” he said.
Then he added something important.
“Daniel, neither of you contact Richard about this tonight. Let us review it properly.”
“Understood.”
