Fraud in the Family

Someone defrauded the government, and the IRS thinks it was Dr. Ray Sinclair. The doctor calls on his financial advisor, Steven Edwards, but the ailing Edwards left work early for a long weekend on Shelter Island. Susan Allison, Edwards’ brilliant daughter, takes Sinclair’s call. The IRS forces Sinclair to pay taxes that the doctor says he does not owe. Susan does not like the arrogant doctor, but hears his story and decides to call her accounting firm. After a hectic weekend of accounting, young CPA Tim Harris accuses bookkeeper Pam Poteat. Susan calls on attorney-friend, Judy Roseman, to work with Harris. Pam is everyone’s favorite, trusted bookkeeper. That includes Dr. Sinclair, Susan’s father, and Susan’s underachieving brother in law, John Andros. Evidence mounts that Pam is a thief, and so are her bosses, real estate entrepreneurs Grover and Irene Holcomb. Judy confronts the Holcombs, who try to blame Pam. They fire her, and she and her redneck husband make a hasty exit from New York, returning home to Wilmington, North Carolina. Pam and her husband believe they got away clean from New York, and can live happily ever after on the money Pam stole. The husband is complacent, but Pam knows better. She travels north to enlist the aid of a former co-worker, Carolyn Dayton. Carolyn is a young hustler delighted to be paid to act as Pam’s New York spy. In New York, Tim Harris comes up with exactly what Susan Allison does not want to hear. Pam fooled everyone. She stole millions, some of it for herself, but most of it for the Holcombs. She manipulated John Andros. The Holcombs deny, delay, and blame Pam. Judy has too much evidence to believe the Holcombs’ cover story, and authorizes lawsuits. The Holcombs respond by hiring veteran litigator, Garrett Hunt. Tax fraud is found, which changes everyone’s attitude. Judy’s team pushes for indictments, and gains ground with top level investigators at the IRS. Hunt can no longer allow his truculent clients to pretend that Pam was the only thief. Hunt sends his assistant, Levi Shriver, to negotiate with Judy. Judy and Levi would like to start dating, but first have to tend to business. Through Levi, Hunt offers an exit strategy. Judy embraces it, and twists it to Susan’s advantage. Pam is everyone’s favorite, entertaining thief. She uses all her formidable, dishonest talents to preserve her stolen money and stay out of jail. Susan’s forensic professionals and the IRS close in, but in a battle of wits, Pam is the true professional.