"This is fabricated," Blake said.
But his voice had lost its smooth edge.
"Meridian Holdings is registered at the same address as your gambling counselor's office in Buckhead," I said.
"You used the name of a company you already controlled to funnel money out of a charity your father-in-law built."
Blake's eyes darted toward the doors.
Two agents stood between him and the exit.
"You think I'm the only one involved?" he said.
"Charles approved every major transfer.
Ask him."
My father stepped forward.
"I approved investment proposals.
I never authorized—"
"You signed the forms, Charles.
Every single one."
"Because you told me they were legitimate!"
"And you didn't read them.
Because you never do."
The room went quiet again.
My father sat down.
He put his head in his hands.
Marissa walked to the stage.
She took the microphone from the stand.
"I want to say something," she said.
"To everyone in this room."
She looked out at the crowd.
Her mascara had smudged under her eyes, but her voice was clear.
"I knew something was wrong.
I knew it the first time Blake came home at two in the morning and couldn't explain where he'd been.
I knew it when our bank account kept getting smaller even though his salary kept getting bigger.
I knew it when he told me not to ask questions."
She paused.
"I stayed because I was afraid.
I stayed because I thought leaving would embarrass my father.
I stayed because my mother told me that a good wife doesn't make trouble."
Celeste covered her mouth with her hand.
"But I didn't stay silent." Marissa held up her phone.
"I started recording him the night he came home drunk and told me that the foundation was 'his retirement plan.' I recorded every conversation after that.
I saved every text message.
I copied every bank statement he left on the kitchen counter."
She turned to Blake.
"I wasn't protecting you.
I was building a case."
Blake stared at her.
His jaw tightened.
"You set me up."
"No.
You set yourself up.
I just listened."
The assistant U.S.
attorney took Marissa's phone and the USB drive.
She leaned in and spoke quietly to Marissa for a moment.
Marissa nodded.
Then the attorney turned to the room.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this event is now part of an active federal investigation.
We ask that you remain seated.
Agents will speak with each of you before you leave."
The donors sat frozen.
A few pulled out their phones.
Nobody moved toward the doors.
Blake turned to my father.
"Charles, you need to fix this.
You know people.
You know judges.
Call someone."
My father looked up at him.
His eyes were red.
"I can't fix this, Blake."
"You have to."
"No." My father's voice broke.
"I can't fix what you did.