CHAPTER 31: The Man Behind The Money

Over the course of the next two days, the newspapers legal team analysed the evidence.

They confirmed the documents matched the archive index, that the signature matched authorised copies and that people from previous employment could declare these two procedures had been followed.

The legitimacy of the evidence and more than Isabella could have hoped for.

Although it did not confirm completely everything people were claiming it certainly placed a timeline in place, Daniel brings up the worries about the suspicious payments to Thomas Reed who passes his request to look into it onto the top club officials who witness the instructions in place to keep the original files within the control of the club.

They had never reviewed it.

As they put together the thoroughly detailed report, Michael Grant called Isabella.

'I know were the original ledgers went.'

Isabella straightened up.

'How?!"

'I found a carbon copy of an email saying that Richard Vale set them off to be sent to a storage company by another department.'

'What company?'

'Northstar Records Management.'

Isabella flipped through her notes.

'Do we know anything about this company?’

'I think so. As at least one of the directors had been part of a company that had received payments.'

'Really? Can you prove it?'

'Well I can show you the information with their company registration but the storage records maybe tampered with.'

'Why?'

'It was bought over several years ago. They may not have access to all their old files.'

Isabella spoke to Margaret to get the legal team to check out the information.

The next day they told Isabella that Northstar had changed their storage and the records had been moved onto another company meaning it was now incomplete.

However they had found something.

There was a delivery slip showing they had sent a box containing Westbridge financial ledgers and approved payments from the academy, all of which were in a sealed box.

This had been authorised by:

Richard Vale.

The receiver had been:

Elliot Shaw - Meridian Sports Advisory.

Isabella gaped.

'Elliot Shaw?!'

Margaret quickly looked up the information from the Research database.

'He worked as a director at Meridian during the time we are looking into. However he resigned several years later.’

“Can we find him?"

'My researcher is looking into it...'

Michael sent Isabella a statement he wrote confirming his role in Daniel’s contract ending and how he had sent the archive.

He admitted to not interacting with Daniel but had not checked the inconsistencies in the contract ending.

He also confirmed how Richard Vale continually told him not to mention it.

Whilst this didn’t hold up any criminal liability it had given investigators further access to obtain.

Later on Alexander receives a letter from the Westbridge Board.

Following the internal investigations from within there wasn’t enough evidence to remove him from the playing squad. However he would keep his suspension as Captain until the club had finished their investigation.

Alexander reads the letter.

Daniel Brooks had appeared at the door.

'What's it say?’

'I can play!’

'That’s great!’

'But I’m not Captain anymore.'

Alexander shrugged.

'Don’t worry, play well and no one can deny you don't deserve it.’

Alexander folded the paper up. 'I don’t know if I will ever see this club the same.'

'Perhaps not...'

'I can still love somewhere but not lie about it being perfect. I should actually want things to improve.’

Alexander thought throughout the rest of the day.

He’d always believed he owed Westbridge loyalty; however he now appreciated that sometime real loyalty means not protecting them when they are causing damage.

Later that evening Isabella turned up at Alexander’s apartment. She had a file with her.

'We have the name!'

Alexander looked up.

'Elliot Shaw!'

'Aye. Michael mentioned that Shaw picked up the lost ledgers for Meridian so perhaps he would know where they had gone if we can track him down.'

'Does he have any links to Vale anymore?’

'Somehow we don’t know.’

Alexander stood up.

'We do nothing risky. Although our legal team are finding out any links he does have to his current business. If he’s happy to talk we can formalise an interview. If he isn’t then we’ll pass the info to the authorities.’

Alexander smiled. 'You’re getting really good at stopping me. '

'I had to!'

Alexander took her hand. 'I’m proud of you!'

'What?!'

'I’m proud that you stayed sane when everybody else was trying to get you to lose it!'

'I’m proud of you too!' Isabella squeezed his fingers.

'Thanks. Even without my armband?!'

'Yes, especially without!'

Alexander laughed and pulled Isabella close.

A few moments passed and they felt far away from the investigation.

Her phone buzzed.

From Margaret,

We’ve found Elliot Shaw. He is meeting the legal team tomorrow. He says he knows some information about the Meridian payments. He wants assurance before he will speak.

Isabella read this aloud. Alexander’s smile faltered.

' Assurance from who?'

She received her answer a minute later.

He says he knows Richard Vale knows he has been in contact.

Isabella looked at Alexander.

They could finally reach the ledgers.

However he was scared.

If Richard Vale knew they were getting closer he could try to stop the truth coming to light once again.