I listened as Adrian took the witness seat.
He gave his name, his title, and his date of birth. Then Celia asked him about the authorization.
"Did you sign this document?"
"Yes."
"Did you know the funds were intended for winter relief?"
"Yes."
"Did you know they were being moved into a private foundation?"
"I was told the foundation was acting as a temporary holding account."
"Did you verify that?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"I trusted Lord Laurent's account of the situation. I wanted to keep the ministries operating and believed the funds would be returned."
"Did they return?"
"No."
"Did you investigate before Miss Bell brought the records to your attention?"
"No."
The answer sat in the room like a weight. Adrian looked straight ahead, not at me.
Celia asked him about my confinemen
