Chapter 5 - The Numbers Don't LieMom spent two hours reviewing the documents.
She didn't raise her voice.
She didn't accuse anyone.
She simply followed the numbers.
That's what she had always done.
“This payment doesn't belong here.”
Vanessa's husband frowned.
“Why?”
“It was categorized as equipment.”
“So?”
“It wasn't equipment.”
Mom pointed to the invoice.
“It was personal.”
Daniel looked at me.
“She found that in five minutes.”
Mom continued.
“This transfer was duplicated.”
Another page.
“And this one.”
Another.
“And this.”
Vanessa's husband began sweating.
“Maybe there's an accounting error.”
Mom shook her head.
“Three accounting errors in the same direction aren't errors.”
Silence.
Daniel called his attorney.
Within an hour, the restaurant's financial records were being secured.
Investigators were contacted.
Vanessa's husband was questioned.
And Mom?
She went home.
She made tea.
And watched television.
I stared at her.
“You're unbelievable.”
“What?”
“You just uncovered financial fraud.”
Mom shrugged.
“I used to do this for a living.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“You never asked.”
I laughed.
Then her phone rang.
It was Daniel.
“Mrs. Bennett?”
“Yes?”
“I've been thinking.”
“About what?”
“I want to name something after you.”
Mom immediately refused.
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because I don't need my name on a building.”
“Then what do you want?”
Mom thought for a moment.
“A kitchen.”
Daniel smiled.
“What kind?”
“One where young people who can't afford culinary school can learn.”
There was silence.
May you like
Then Daniel said:
“Done.”
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