Chapter 8: His Mistress Had Been Keeping Receipts
I arrived at the restaurant at 7:15.
Margaret was seated at a table near the entrance, pretending to read a menu.
She had insisted on coming.
I hadn't argued.
Claire was already waiting.
She wore a black coat, dark sunglasses, and no jewelry.
For the first time since I'd met her, she didn't look like someone who expected to be admired.
She looked frightened.
When she saw me, she stood.
"Nora.""
"Claire.""
She glanced toward Margaret.
"I thought you were coming alone.""
I pulled out a chair.
"Then the entrance, pretending to read a menu.
She had insisted on coming.
I hadn't argued.
Claire was already waiting.
She wore a black coat, dark sunglasses, and no jewelry.
For the first time since I'd met her, she didn't look like someone who expected to be admired.
She looked frightened.
When she saw me, she stood.
"Nora.""
"Claire.""
She glanced toward Margaret.
"I thought you were coming alone.""
I pulled out a chair.
"Then you misunderstood.""
Claire looked uncomfortable.
But she sat down.
A waiter approached.
"Would you like something to drink?""
"Water," I said.
"Nothing for me," Claire replied.
When he left, she placed a thick envelope on the table you misunderstood.""
Claire looked uncomfortable.
But she sat down.
A waiter approached.
"Would you like something to drink?""
"Water," I said.
"Nothing for me," Claire replied.
When he left, she placed a thick envelope on the table.
"I have everything.""
I didn't touch it.
"Everything about what?""
"The money. The companies. The property transfers.""
"Why are.
"I have everything.""
I didn't touch it.
"Everything about what?""
"The money. The companies. The property transfers.""
"Why are you giving it to me?""
She looked down.
"Because Evan has been lying to me too.""
I studied her face.
"You're going to need a you giving it to me?""
She looked down.
"Because Evan has been lying to me too.""
I studied her face.
"You're going to need a better explanation than that.""
She nodded.
"Fair enough.""
She opened the envelope.
Inside were printed emails, transaction records, property agreements, and several photographs.
The first photograph showed Evan standing outside a commercial property with a man I didn't recognize.
The second showed better explanation than that.""
She nodded.
"Fair enough.""
She opened the envelope.
Inside were printed emails, transaction records, property agreements, and several photographs.
The first photograph showed Evan standing outside a commercial property with a man I didn't recognize.
The second showed Claire sitting in a conference room beside a stack of financial documents.
The third was a bank transfer Claire sitting in a conference room beside a stack of financial documents.
The third was a bank transfer confirmation.
I read the amount.
$86,400.
The exact amount transferred from my household account.
I looked at her.
"Did you receive this money?""
"Yes.""
"Did you know it came from my account?""
"No.""
"Did you ask where it came from?""
She hesitated.
"At first, Evan said it was an investment distribution.""
"And later?""
"He told me it came from a business partnership.""
"Which business?""
"Westbridge.""
I stared at her confirmation.
I read the amount.
$86,400.
The exact amount transferred from my household account.
I looked at her.
"Did you receive this money?""
"Yes.""
"Did you know it came from my account?""
"No.""
"Did you ask where it came from?""
She hesitated.
"At first, Evan said it was an investment distribution.""
"And later?""
"He told me it came from a business partnership.""
"Which business?""
"Westbridge.""
I stared at her.
"You were listed as its manager.""
"Only on paper.""
"That's convenient.""
"I know how it sounds.""
"It sounds like you accepted money from a married man while living under the impression.
"You were listed as its manager.""
"Only on paper.""
"That's convenient.""
"I know how it sounds.""
"It sounds like you accepted money from a married man while living under the impression that he was going to leave his wife.""
Claire flinched.
"I didn't know about the marriage being over until much later.""
I that he was going to leave his wife.""
Claire flinched.
"I didn't know about the marriage being over until much later.""
I leaned forward.
"Claire, you were standing in my living room the night I signed the leaned forward.
"Claire, you were standing in my living room the night I signed the divorce papers.""
She looked down.
"I know.""
"You were wearing my bracelet.""
Her eyes lifted.
"I bought that bracelet myself.""
I stared at her.
"Did you?""
She nodded.
"Evan gave it divorce papers.""
She looked down.
"I know.""
"You were wearing my bracelet.""
Her eyes lifted.
"I bought that bracelet myself.""
I stared at her.
"Did you?""
She nodded.
"Evan gave it to me.""
"With whose money?""
She didn't answer.
I let the silence sit.
Then she opened another folder to me.""
"With whose money?""
She didn't answer.
I let the silence sit.
Then she opened another folder.
"Look at this.""
It was a series of emails between her and Evan.
The first was dated four years earlier.
Everything is moving according to plan. The studio has enough cash flow to support the arrangement, and Nora won't question the transfers.
The second was dated three years earlier.
Once the trust is fully transferred, we'll have access to the commercial properties.
The third was more recent.
*The divorce needs to.
"Look at this.""
It was a series of emails between her and Evan.
The first was dated four years earlier.
Everything is moving according to plan. The studio has enough cash flow to support the arrangement, and Nora won't question the transfers.
The second was dated three years earlier.
Once the trust is fully transferred, we'll have access to the commercial properties.
The third was more recent.
The divorce needs to happen before the end of the year. The house will be mine, and the remaining assets will be protected.
I looked up.
"Protected from what?""
Claire swallowed.
"Creditors.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
She continued.
"Evan said he was restructuring everything because he wanted to protect our future. He told me the happen before the end of the year. The house will be mine, and the remaining assets will be protected.*
I looked up.
"Protected from what?""
Claire swallowed.
"Creditors.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
She continued.
"Evan said he was restructuring everything because he wanted to protect our future. He told me the business debts were temporary and that the properties were already his.""
"Did you believe him?""
"Yes.""
"Why?""
She looked at me.
"Because he showed me documents.""
I almost laughed.
"He business debts were temporary and that the properties were already his.""
"Did you believe him?""
"Yes.""
"Why?""
She looked at me.
"Because he showed me documents.""
I almost laughed.
"He showed you documents?""
"Yes. With your signature.""
I stared at her.
She pulled another sheet from the envelope.
"This is the authorization he showed me when showed you documents?""
"Yes. With your signature.""
I stared at her.
She pulled another sheet from the envelope.
"This is the authorization he showed me when he explained the money.""
I recognized the document.
The same forged signature.
The same reference number.
The same false certification.
Claire pointed to a paragraph he explained the money.""
I recognized the document.
The same forged signature.
The same reference number.
The same false certification.
Claire pointed to a paragraph.
"He told me you had approved everything. He said you knew about the investment and wanted him to manage it.""
I leaned back.
"And you never thought to ask me?""
She looked.
"He told me you had approved everything. He said you knew about the investment and wanted him to manage it.""
I leaned back.
"And you never thought to ask me?""
She looked ashamed.
"No.""
I nodded slowly.
"At least you're being honest about that.""
She began to cry.
I didn't comfort her.
Not yet.
She had ashamed.
"No.""
I nodded slowly.
"At least you're being honest about that.""
She began to cry.
I didn't comfort her.
Not yet.
She had made choices.
She had accepted expensive gifts.
She had helped Evan inspect my warehouse.
And she had enjoyed the idea of replacing me.
Her ignorance about the financial fraud didn't erase her involvement in the betrayal.
But there was made choices.
She had accepted expensive gifts.
She had helped Evan inspect my warehouse.
And she had enjoyed the idea of replacing me.
Her ignorance about the financial fraud didn't erase her involvement in the betrayal.
But there was something I needed to understand.
"Why did you start keeping copies of these documents?""
Claire wiped her eyes.
"Because six months ago, Evan asked something I needed to understand.
"Why did you start keeping copies of these documents?""
Claire wiped her eyes.
"Because six months ago, Evan asked me to sign something.""
"What?""
"A property transfer agreement.""
"The New Jersey property?""
"Yes.""
"What was wrong with it?""
She opened another envelope.
"He told me the property was mine. But when me to sign something.""
"What?""
"A property transfer agreement.""
"The New Jersey property?""
"Yes.""
"What was wrong with it?""
She opened another envelope.
"He told me the property was mine. But when I took the agreement to my accountant, he noticed the I took the agreement to my accountant, he noticed the mortgage was much larger than the property value supported.""
I frowned.
"That doesn't make sense.""
" mortgage was much larger than the property value supported.""
I frowned.
"That doesn't make sense.""
"Exactly. My accountant asked where the money had come from. Evan saidExactly.
My accountant asked where the money had come from. Evan said it was a private loan.""
"And?""
"He wanted me to assume the debt as part of the transfer.""
I stared at her.
"So you refused.""
"Yes.""
"What did Evan do?""
"He became furious. He said I was ungrateful and it was a private loan.""
"And?""
"He wanted me to assume the debt as part of the transfer.""
I stared at her.
"So you refused.""
"Yes.""
"What did Evan do?""
"He became furious. He said I was ungrateful and that I'd ruined everything.""
I looked at the documents.
"And then?""
"Then I found the original Westbridge records.""
She pushed a small USB drive toward me.
"I copied everything.""
I didn't touch it.
"What's on there?""
"Emails, bank statements, recordings, and the original company documents.""
I looked that I'd ruined everything.""
I looked at the documents.
"And then?""
"Then I found the original Westbridge records.""
She pushed a small USB drive toward me.
"I copied everything.""
I didn't touch it.
"What's on there?""
"Emails, bank statements, recordings, and the original company documents.""
I looked at her.
"Recordings?""
Claire nodded.
"Conversations with Evan.""
"Why?""
"Because I was afraid he'd make me responsible for the money.""
I glanced at Margaret.
She nodded slightly.
"Did he threaten you?""
Claire looked toward the window.
"Yes.""
"How?""
She took a breath.
"Three at her.
"Recordings?""
Claire nodded.
"Conversations with Evan.""
"Why?""
"Because I was afraid he'd make me responsible for the money.""
I glanced at Margaret.
She nodded slightly.
"Did he threaten you?""
Claire looked toward the window.
"Yes.""
"How?""
She took a breath.
"Three weeks ago, he told me that if I didn't sign the transfer agreement, he would report me to the authorities for participating in the financial arrangements.""
I studied her.
"Did you participate?""
She hesitated.
"I signed documents. I accepted money. I weeks ago, he told me that if I didn't sign the transfer agreement, he would report me to the authorities for participating in the financial arrangements.""
I studied her.
"Did you participate?""
She hesitated.
"I signed documents. I accepted money. I attended meetings.""
"Did you know the funds belonged to me?""
"Not at first.""
"And later?""
She lowered her eyes.
"I suspected.""
I nodded.
There it was.
The difference between being deceived and choosing not to look too closely.
I reached for attended meetings.""
"Did you know the funds belonged to me?""
"Not at first.""
"And later?""
She lowered her eyes.
"I suspected.""
I nodded.
There it was.
The difference between being deceived and choosing not to look too closely.
I reached for the envelope.
"Thank you for bringing this.""
Claire looked relieved.
"Does this mean you'll help me?""
I stopped.
"Help you with what?""
"Evan is going to blame everything on me.""
I stared at her.
"You want me to protect you?""
"I'm asking you to understand that I was manipulated.""
the envelope.
"Thank you for bringing this.""
Claire looked relieved.
"Does this mean you'll help me?""
I stopped.
"Help you with what?""
"Evan is going to blame everything on me.""
I stared at her.
"You want me to protect you?""
"I'm asking you to understand that I was manipulated.""
I looked at her for a long moment.
"Claire, you walked into my house and told me you hoped I'd enjoy my fresh start. You looked at my furniture like it was already yours. You accepted money from a man who was still married to me.""
She looked down.
"I know.""
"You don't getI looked at her for a long moment.
"Claire, you walked into my house and told me you hoped I'd enjoy my fresh start. You looked at my furniture like it was already yours. You accepted money from a man who was still married to me.""
She looked down.
"I know.""
"You don't get to rewrite that because things became inconvenient.""
Her eyes filled again.
"I understand.""
I stood.
"Give the documents to my attorney. If they're genuine, they'll help establish what happened. What happens to you after that is between you, to rewrite that because things became inconvenient.""
Her eyes filled again.
"I understand.""
I stood.
"Give the documents to my attorney. If they're genuine, they'll help establish what happened. What happens to you after that is between you, the investigators, and your own decisions.""
She nodded.
As I turned to leave, she spoke again.
"Nora?""
I looked back.
"There's something on the the investigators, and your own decisions.""
She nodded.
As I turned to leave, she spoke again.
"Nora?""
I looked back.
"There's something on the recordings you need to hear.""
"What?""
She hesitated.
"Your father-in-law.""
I went still.
"Richard?""
She nodded.
"Evan recorded a conversation with him before he died.""
"Why would he do recordings you need to hear.""
"What?""
She hesitated.
"Your father-in-law.""
I went still.
"Richard?""
She nodded.
"Evan recorded a conversation with him before he died.""
"Why would he do that?""
"I don't know. But he kept it.""
I sat down again.
"Play it that?""
"I don't know. But he kept it.""
I sat down again.
"Play it.""
Claire shook her head.
"I don't have the recording on my phone. It's on the drive.""
"Then send it to Margaret.""
She looked at me.
"There's something else.""
"What?""
"Richard knew about the money.""
My throat tightened.
"How?""
"He confronted Evan. That's what the recording is about.""
I looked at the.""
Claire shook her head.
"I don't have the recording on my phone. It's on the drive.""
"Then send it to Margaret.""
She looked at me.
"There's something else.""
"What?""
"Richard knew about the money.""
My throat tightened.
"How?""
"He confronted Evan. That's what the recording is about.""
I looked at the USB drive.
"Then why did Evan keep it?""
Claire's answer came quietly.
"Because he thought it proved his father had agreed to everything.""
Margaret reached for the drive.
"We'll have it examined.""
Claire stood.
Before leaving, she turned toward me.
"I USB drive.
"Then why did Evan keep it?""
Claire's answer came quietly.
"Because he thought it proved his father had agreed to everything.""
Margaret reached for the drive.
"We'll have it examined.""
Claire stood.
Before leaving, she turned toward me.
"I really am sorry.""
I looked at her.
"Then tell the truth.""
She nodded.
And walked out.
At 9:40, Margaret and I returned to her office.
She arranged for the USB drive to be copied and examined.
While we waited, she reviewed the really am sorry.""
I looked at her.
"Then tell the truth.""
She nodded.
And walked out.
At 9:40, Margaret and I returned to her office.
She arranged for the USB drive to be copied and examined.
While we waited, she reviewed the documents Claire had provided.
Her expression became increasingly serious.
"Nora, look at this.""
She showed me a bank statement.
It listed a transfer from Westbridge to a company called Carter Legacy Investments.
I recognized the name immediately.
It was the investment company connected to my grandfather's inheritance.
The amount was $170,000.
The documents Claire had provided.
Her expression became increasingly serious.
"Nora, look at this.""
She showed me a bank statement.
It listed a transfer from Westbridge to a company called Carter Legacy Investments.
I recognized the name immediately.
It was the investment company connected to my grandfather's inheritance.
The amount was $170,000.
The date matched the transfer my mother had described.
I stared at the statement.
"That's my inheritance.""
Margaret nodded.
"Apparently, it was transferred into this account.""
"Who owned date matched the transfer my mother had described.
I stared at the statement.
"That's my inheritance.""
Margaret nodded.
"Apparently, it was transferred into this account.""
"Who owned it?""
She enlarged the registration information.
The company had been registered in my name.
But the address belonged to Evan's former business office.
I looked at the document.
"Did I authorize this company?""
Margaret shook her head.
"We haven't found any legitimate authorization.""
I felt a cold wave move through me.
"Then what it?""
She enlarged the registration information.
The company had been registered in my name.
But the address belonged to Evan's former business office.
I looked at the document.
"Did I authorize this company?""
Margaret shook her head.
"We haven't found any legitimate authorization.""
I felt a cold wave move through me.
"Then what happened to the money?""
She opened another statement.
It showed a series of transfers.
Some went to Westbridge.
Some went to an investment account.
And one large payment went to a company called Bennett happened to the money?""
She opened another statement.
It showed a series of transfers.
Some went to Westbridge.
Some went to an investment account.
And one large payment went to a company called Bennett Heritage Holdings.
I looked up.
"Was that Richard's trust?""
"Yes.""
"Why would my inheritance go into his family trust?""
Margaret examined the transaction.
"I don't know yet.""
I sat back.
Then I remembered the letter Heritage Holdings.
I looked up.
"Was that Richard's trust?""
"Yes.""
"Why would my inheritance go into his family trust?""
Margaret examined the transaction.
"I don't know yet.""
I sat back.
Then I remembered the letter.
Richard had said he trusted me to protect what he couldn't protect himself.
Perhaps he had known more than he had ever told me.
At 10:22, Margaret's phone rang.
She.
Richard had said he trusted me to protect what he couldn't protect himself.
Perhaps he had known more than he had ever told me.
At 10:22, Margaret's phone rang.
She listened for a moment.
Then she looked at me.
"The audio has been recovered.""
My heart began pounding.
"Can we hear it?""
She connected the drive listened for a moment.
Then she looked at me.
"The audio has been recovered.""
My heart began pounding.
"Can we hear it?""
She connected the drive to her computer.
A recording appeared.
The date was three years earlier.
Six months before Richard died.
Margaret pressed play.
At first, there was background noise.
Then Richard's voice.
"You're using Nora's name again to her computer.
A recording appeared.
The date was three years earlier.
Six months before Richard died.
Margaret pressed play.
At first, there was background noise.
Then Richard's voice.
"You're using Nora's name again.""
Evan replied.
"I'm managing the investment.""
"That's not what I asked.""
"Father, everything is legitimate.""
"Then why does she not know about it?""
Silence.
Then Evan spoke.
"She.""
Evan replied.
"I'm managing the investment.""
"That's not what I asked.""
"Father, everything is legitimate.""
"Then why does she not know about it?""
Silence.
Then Evan spoke.
"She doesn't need to be involved in every decision.""
Richard's voice became sharper.
"She is the beneficiary.""
"She doesn't understand how these things work.""
I felt my hands tighten.
Richard spoke doesn't need to be involved in every decision.""
Richard's voice became sharper.
"She is the beneficiary.""
"She doesn't understand how these things work.""
I felt my hands tighten.
Richard spoke again.
"She understands honesty. Apparently, that's what you don't understand.""
A chair scraped.
Evan's voice lowered.
"You promised me control.""
"I promised you an opportunity. again.
"She understands honesty. Apparently, that's what you don't understand.""
A chair scraped.
Evan's voice lowered.
"You promised me control.""
"I promised you an opportunity. Not ownership.""
"That's not what you said.""
"I told you that if you proved yourself capable of managing the properties, I would consider giving you a larger Not ownership.""
"That's not what you said.""
"I told you that if you proved yourself capable of managing the properties, I would consider giving you a larger role.""
"Then give it to me.""
"No.""
The answer was immediate.
Richard continued.
"You've borrowed against assets you don't own. You've used a business that belongs to Nora role.""
"Then give it to me.""
"No.""
The answer was immediate.
Richard continued.
"You've borrowed against assets you don't own. You've used a business that belongs to Nora. And you've transferred money into accounts I cannot account for.""
Evan said nothing.
Then Richard asked:
"Have you been stealing from her?""
The recording became silent. And you've transferred money into accounts I cannot account for.""
Evan said nothing.
Then Richard asked:
"Have you been stealing from her?""
The recording became silent for several seconds.
Finally, Evan replied.
"I was protecting our family.""
Richard's voice dropped.
"Your family is the first thing you've been willing to sacrifice.""
I felt tears for several seconds.
Finally, Evan replied.
"I was protecting our family.""
Richard's voice dropped.
"Your family is the first thing you've been willing to sacrifice.""
I felt tears sting my eyes.
Then came the sentence that changed everything.
Richard said:
"I've already changed the trust.""
Evan's voice sharpened.
"What?""
"The original beneficiary arrangement sting my eyes.
Then came the sentence that changed everything.
Richard said:
"I've already changed the trust.""
Evan's voice sharpened.
"What?""
"The original beneficiary arrangement is no longer sufficient. Nora will have direct control.""
"You're giving everything to her?""
"I'm giving responsibility to the person who has demonstrated she can be trusted.""
Evan is no longer sufficient. Nora will have direct control.""
"You're giving everything to her?""
"I'm giving responsibility to the person who has demonstrated she can be trusted.""
Evan laughed bitterly.
"She'll never know what to do with it.""
Richard replied:
"Then perhaps you should have taught her instead of stealing from laughed bitterly.
"She'll never know what to do with it.""
Richard replied:
"Then perhaps you should have taught her instead of stealing from her.""
The recording ended.
For several seconds, neither Margaret nor I spoke.
Then she replayed the final minute.
I listened again.
Richard had known.
He had known about the stolen money.
He had her.""
The recording ended.
For several seconds, neither Margaret nor I spoke.
Then she replayed the final minute.
I listened again.
Richard had known.
He had known about the stolen money.
He had known about the unauthorized borrowing.
And he had changed the trust specifically to protect me.
I looked at Margaret.
"Does this recording establish that Evan knew he had no authority?""
"It certainly supports that conclusion.""
I stared at the screen.
Then I noticed something in known about the unauthorized borrowing.
And he had changed the trust specifically to protect me.
I looked at Margaret.
"Does this recording establish that Evan knew he had no authority?""
"It certainly supports that conclusion.""
I stared at the screen.
Then I noticed something in the file information.
There were two recordings.
The second was longer.
Margaret opened it.
This one began with Evan speaking to someone the file information.
There were two recordings.
The second was longer.
Margaret opened it.
This one began with Evan speaking to someone else.
A woman.
I recognized her voice.
Claire.
"Are you sure your father won't change his mind?"" she asked.
Evan laughed.
"He can't change anything now.""
"He's still alive.""
"Not else.
A woman.
I recognized her voice.
Claire.
"Are you sure your father won't change his mind?"" she asked.
Evan laughed.
"He can't change anything now.""
"He's still alive.""
"Not for long.""
I stopped breathing.
Margaret paused the recording.
Her face had gone pale.
"Continue," I whispered.
She pressed play.
Claire asked:
"What if he leaves everything for long.""
I stopped breathing.
Margaret paused the recording.
Her face had gone pale.
"Continue," I whispered.
She pressed play.
Claire asked:
"What if he leaves everything to Nora?""
Evan answered:
"Then we'll make sure she never gets the original paperwork.""
"And the money?""
"By the time she finds out, it'll be too late.""
The recording continued.
Then Evan said to Nora?""
Evan answered:
"Then we'll make sure she never gets the original paperwork.""
"And the money?""
"By the time she finds out, it'll be too late.""
The recording continued.
Then Evan said something that made my blood run cold.
"Besides, the trust isn't the only thing I need to get rid of.""
I looked at Margaret.
"What does he mean?""
She didn't answer.
The recording continued.
Claire asked:
"What else?""
Evan replied something that made my blood run cold.
"Besides, the trust isn't the only thing I need to get rid of.""
I looked at Margaret.
"What does he mean?""
She didn't answer.
The recording continued.
Claire asked:
"What else?""
Evan replied:
"The insurance file.""
I felt my stomach drop.
"What insurance file?"" I whispered.
Margaret stopped the recording.
She turned toward me.
"Nora, do you know whether your father-in-law had a life:
"The insurance file.""
I felt my stomach drop.
"What insurance file?"" I whispered.
Margaret stopped the recording.
She turned toward me.
"Nora, do you know whether your father-in-law had a life insurance policy?""
I nodded slowly.
"I remember hearing about one.""
"Who was the beneficiary?""
"I don't know.""
Margaret stared at the screen.
Then she said:
"We need to find out.""
At midnight, I received a call insurance policy?""
I nodded slowly.
"I remember hearing about one.""
"Who was the beneficiary?""
"I don't know.""
Margaret stared at the screen.
Then she said:
"We need to find out.""
At midnight, I received a call from Thomas.
His voice was unusually tense.
"Nora, I've located the original trust file.""
I sat upright.
"Where?""
"In a secure archive maintained by Richard's estate attorney.""
"What's inside?""
"Several from Thomas.
His voice was unusually tense.
"Nora, I've located the original trust file.""
I sat upright.
"Where?""
"In a secure archive maintained by Richard's estate attorney.""
"What's inside?""
"Several documents that were never included in the copies Evan received.""
"Why?""
"Because Richard instructed the attorney to release them only to the successor beneficiary.""
I gripped the phone.
"Can I see them?""
"Yes. Tomorrow documents that were never included in the copies Evan received.""
"Why?""
"Because Richard instructed the attorney to release them only to the successor beneficiary.""
I gripped the phone.
"Can I see them?""
"Yes. Tomorrow morning.""
He paused.
"There's something else.""
I closed my eyes.
"What?""
"Your father-in-law didn't leave you control of the properties alone.""
I waited.
"He also established a separate financial morning.""
He paused.
"There's something else.""
I closed my eyes.
"What?""
"Your father-in-law didn't leave you control of the properties alone.""
I waited.
"He also established a separate financial reserve.""
"How much?""
"Approximately $3.2 million.""
I sat frozen.
"Where is it?""
"That's what the original file will explain.""
I looked toward the USB drive on reserve.""
"How much?""
"Approximately $3.2 million.""
I sat frozen.
"Where is it?""
"That's what the original file will explain.""
I looked toward the USB drive on Margaret's desk.
Then I remembered Evan's words.
The insurance file.
"Thomas, did Richard have a life insurance policy?""
"Yes.""
Margaret's desk.
Then I remembered Evan's words.
The insurance file.
"Thomas, did Richard have a life insurance policy?""
"Yes.""
"Who was the beneficiary?""
He hesitated.
Then he answered.
"That information is in the original file.""
My heart began pounding.
"Thomas, please tell me.""
He exhaled.
"The beneficiary wasn't"Who was the beneficiary?""
He hesitated.
Then he answered.
"That information is in the original file.""
My heart began pounding.
"Thomas, please tell me.""
He exhaled.
"The beneficiary wasn't Evan.""
May you like
A pause.
"It was you.""
