“I didn’t offer legal advice,” I said.
The words came out more firmly than I intended.
“I only explained what the Italian says.”
Arthur stood.
“This is confidential material. She has no business interpreting it.”
Dominic held out his hand.
“Give me the page.”
Arthur hesitated.
Then he handed it over.
Dominic studied it.
“Translate it again,” he told me.
My heart was pounding.
“The first sentence says, ‘This does not constitute authorization for payment.’ The second says, ‘Its effectiveness is subject to independent verification of the accounts.’”
Dominic turned toward Arthur.
“Is that accurate?”
Arthur adjusted his glasses.
“The annotation needs to be understood in the context of the full transaction.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
Arthur glanced at Celeste.
I noticed.
So did Dominic.
The room had become painfully quiet.
Then Dominic said, “Who prepared the English summary?”
Arthur cleared his throat.
“My office coordinated it with the Italian advisers.”
“And who confirmed the audit had been completed?”
Celeste leaned forward.
“Darling, we have been through this for weeks.”
Dominic ignored her.
“Arthur?”
