“Phillips had a solution for that. He made small regular deposits into my account but the influx of cash was diverted. We never reported the income but I kept careful accounting of my own, especially once I figured out that I’d gotten myself involved in a money laundering scheme. I admit I was slow on the uptake but turns out yours and Caroline’s instincts were right on target. Of course I overlooked a lot of it in the beginning thinking I could handle it. I overestimated myself and before long greed took over. I was juggling the legitimate business to stay afloat but I got in over my head when I started gambling. Phillips knew about my addiction and having all that capital at my disposal was just too much temptation to resist. I started taking more risks and going for higher stakes. I was steadily losing money. Pretty soon Phillips’ deals weren’t replenishing the accounts fast enough. It got totally out of control Maxine. I was gambling money I hadn’t even earned yet. That’s when Phillips knew he had me. He started getting me involved in more of the ‘not so legitimate’ business dealings and the money started flowing again. Phillips bought the paper on my debt. He bailed me out and probably saved me from a few broken limbs but he had me by the balls.”

“So JMC’s US operation became a cover to legitimize his dirty dealings while his own company appeared clean. You were his fall guy and you kept all this from Caroline to protect yourself?”

“That’s right. We managed to do it without leaving a trace.”

“I wouldn’t be so smug if I were you Rains. You were breaking the law.”

”Not only that but what does this have to do with our mother? Why did you involve her?”

“I’m getting to that Greg. Once the US sector started showing profits again Caroline took the pressure off so I was able to operate freely again. I was an arrogant son of a bitch but I knew I was out of my league. I couldn’t keep this up for long so I started planning my escape route. I was already keeping my own accounting but I also started collecting evidence. You’ll find all my files in that satchel. I wanted to meet you here because I’ve kept it in a safe deposit box at the Rockefeller Center post office all these years. Do you remember me telling you that Maxine? Do you remember when we came to this very restaurant and talked about it?”