The Man They Threw Out of City Hall

Trust holdings. But the records are sealed.”

He gave a tired smile.

“Not sealed. Buried.”

“Why?”

He looked past her toward the auditorium.

“Because powerful men prefer clean stories.”

Mara lowered her voice.

“You said ‘her money.’ Whose?”

Elias reached into his jacket and pulled out the old photograph.

“My wife,” he said. “Clara Ward.”

Mara’s lips parted.