Chapter 3 - The Missing MoneyGabriel grabbed the report.
His eyes moved down the page.
“No.”
I said nothing.
“This isn't possible.”
“It is.”
Roderick had accessed my mother's financial information through a former accountant.
He had attempted to move $180,000 from one of her investment accounts.
The bank stopped the transfer.
Another $65,000 had been charged to a card connected to her household account.
That charge had been disputed.
The final transaction was different.
It was a wire request for $500,000.
The recipient?
A company owned by Roderick.
Gabriel looked sick.
“Mom?”
Rosalind didn't answer.
I looked at her.
“You knew.”
“No.”
“You did.”
She shook her head.
“I didn't know the amount.”
The room went silent.
Gabriel stared at her.
“Mom?”
Rosalind's face crumbled.
“I was trying to help your brother.”
“With my mother's money?”
“She was dying!”
I flinched.
Not because of the accusation.
Because of the cruelty.
My mother's illness had become a justification for theft.
I whispered:
“She was still alive.”
Rosalind looked away.
“And she knew what you were doing.”
Rosalind froze.
“What?”
“My mother confronted Roderick.”
I pulled out another letter.
Her handwriting.
The words were clear.
I know you attempted to access my account. Do not contact me again.
Roderick had ignored it.
He had continued.
Then my mother changed her estate plan.
She created the trust.
And she documented everything.
Gabriel sat down.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
I looked at him.
“You never asked.”
He looked hurt.
“You should have trusted me.”
I almost smiled.
“I did.”
That sentence hurt him more than anger could have.
“I trusted you enough to believe you would stand beside me when she died.”
Gabriel looked down.
“I was grieving too.”
“No.”
I shook my head.
“You were planning.”
He didn't answer.
Rosalind suddenly stood.
“This is ridiculous.”
She grabbed her purse.
“We're leaving.”
“No.”
She turned.
“You can't tell me what to do.”
“Actually, I can.”
I pointed toward the door.
“This is my mother's house.”
Rosalind stared.
“It was her house.”
“And now it's mine.”
She stormed outside.
Gabriel remained.
He looked at me.
“Valerie.”
I waited.
“I didn't know about the transfers.”
“I believe you.”
He looked relieved.
Then I continued.
“But you knew why they wanted the money.”
He swallowed.
“Yes.”
“And you agreed.”
“Yes.”
“That makes you part of it.”
He looked devastated.
I didn't enjoy seeing it.
But I no longer felt responsible for protecting him from consequences.
Then my phone rang.
It was my attorney.
“Valerie, we have a problem.”
“What happened?”
“Someone just filed an emergency claim against your inheritance.”
“Who?”
May you like
He paused.
“Your husband.”
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