“Did you create Montgomery Coastal Residences?”
He hesitated.
“Yes.”
“Did you tell investors it was connected with my hospitality company?”
“Not exactly.”
Victor spoke.
“We have the presentation.”
Mark looked at him.
“You have no right to investigate me.”
Victor remained calm.
“When our trademarks appear in investor materials, we have every right to investigate their use.”
Mark turned back to me.
“Mom, I can explain.”
“Then explain.”
He looked toward Amber.
“Not with her here.”
“She is your wife.”
“That’s exactly why.”
Amber became still.
I watched them.
“What does that mean?”
Mark rubbed both hands over his face.
“This project was supposed to fix everything.”
“What project?”
“The residences.”
“There are no residences.”
“There would have been.”
“Where?”
“Near Clearwater.”
“Do you own land?”
“Not yet.”
“Do you have permits?”
“Not yet.”
“Financing?”
His silence answered.
“Investors?”
“A few commitments.”
Victor’s voice sharpened.
“Based on what representations?”
Mark snapped toward him.
“I said I would explain.”
I stood.
“No.”
“You will answer.”
He looked at me, startled.
I had rarely spoken to him that way.
“How much money did people give you?”
Mark swallowed.
“Nothing significant.”
“How much?”
“Mom.”
“How much?”
He looked at the floor.
“About six hundred thousand.”
Amber made a strangled sound.
I felt dizzy.
“From how many people?”
“Seven.”
“Where is the money?”
“In the project.”
“There is no project.”
“There are expenses.”
“What expenses?”
