Page 103 of A Tempting Seduction

“We're almost done,” I said quietly. “After today, we can start figuring out what comes next.”

“What if there's nothing useful in the box?” she asked. “What if my dad was just paranoid and there's nothing that can actually hurt Horace?”

“Then we'll figure something else out. But I don't think that's what we're going to find.”

The First National Bank of Beverly Hills looked exactly like what it was - a place where rich people kept their secrets. Marble columns, bronze fixtures, and enough security cameras to film a movie.

The bank manager, a thin man in an expensive suit, met us at the door. “This is highly unusual,” he said, checking his watch. “We don't typically allow access before normal business hours.”

“Appreciate your cooperation,” Isaacson said, flashing his badge. “We'll try to make this as quick as possible.”

Ruby went through the process of proving her identity. Driver's license, secondary ID, signature verification. The bank manager checked everything twice before finally nodding his approval.

“The safe deposit box can only be accessed by the registered owner, and they are allowed two authorized persons in the vault with them,” he explained. “According to our records, that would be Ms. Miller and...” He consulted his paperwork. “Ford Larson and Agent Aaron Isaacson.”

We followed the manager through a series of security doors, past armed guards and more cameras than a casino. The safe deposit room was a sterile white space lined with numbered boxes.

Ruby's hands shook slightly as she inserted her key. The bank manager used his master key at the same time, and the box slid open with a soft click.

Inside were manila folders, wire transfer documents, and three flash drives with numbers on them. Ruby's father had been thorough in his documentation.

Isaacson's eyes went wide as he read the three sheets of paper with corresponding numbers and the descriptions, dates and names of either recorded or video conversations. “Goodness. If these recordings are authentic...”

“My dad wasn't a liar,” Ruby said firmly. “If he said these were what the conversations were, then they were.”

I recognized some of the names myself. Senators, governors, business leaders who'd been in the news for various scandals over the years. What was worse was that there were some names that were above reproach.

Incredible.

If Michael Banks had recorded proof of their involvement in Horace's corruption network, it would bring down more than just a state-wide political machine.

“This is extraordinary,” Isaacson said, his voice hushed with something between awe and panic. “If these recordings contain what I think they do, we're looking at corruption charges that reach into the highest levels of business and government.”

Ruby's face was grim. “Will it be enough to arrest Horace?”

“For the corruption charges? Absolutely. These wire transfers alone show a pattern of quid pro quo that goes back years.” Isaacson pointed to some of the paper he’d been shuffling through.

“What about my father's murder?”

Isaacson's expression shifted. “That's going to be harder. We'll use these recordings to pressure some of his co-conspirators into flipping on him. Build a case that shows why Horace would want your father dead. But we don't have a smoking gun.”

Ruby's shoulders sagged. “So, he might never pay for killing my dad.”

“I can't promise you he'll be convicted of murder. But I can promise you he'll spend the rest of his life in federal prison by the looks of things. Sometimes, that has to be enough.”

I wanted to put my arms around Ruby, to offer her some comfort. But we were in public, surrounded by FBI agents and bank employees. Instead, I squeezed her hand.

“Your father would be proud of you,” I said quietly. “You finished what he started.”

Ruby nodded, but I could see the disappointment in her eyes. She'd wanted justice for her father's murder, not just political retribution.

We gathered all the documents and flash drives, loading them into evidence bags that Isaacson sealed and signed. The entire process took less than an hour, but it felt like we'd just changed the course of history.

Back at the hotel, Isaacson had news.

“Your sisters have been in contact with us,” he said. “They want to see you.”

Ruby went very still. “How? I thought they didn't know where I was.”