The cell tower data linked Aldridge’s compound to the burner but stopped short of a federal arrest warrant. They needed one final thread. Marsh found it in the typed note. The financial forensics analyst traced a $65,000 payment from a private trust tied to Aldridge’s foundation to an account eventually traced to Pruitt.
The warrant arrived soon. Dellray scheduled the execution for Monday, giving time to secure the Calloways and ensure the attorney had all the supporting documents in order. He drove to Raleigh first. Diane was in the facility parking lot. He told her quietly, “Claire was alive and safe, and she would be able to reach out soon.”