Chapter 4: The Girl Who Signed Away Her Future
Dad called his## Chapter 4: The Girl Who Signed Away Her Future
Dad called his attorney the following morning.
By ten o'clock, a woman named Rebecca Hayes was sitting at our dining room table with a leather briefcase, a yellow attorney the following morning.
By ten o'clock, a woman named Rebecca Hayes was sitting at our dining room table with a leather briefcase, a yellow legal pad, and the kind of expression that made even ordinary questions feel serious legal pad, and the kind of expression that made even ordinary questions feel serious.
She was in her early fifties, with short silver-blond hair and sharp blue eyes. Dad had worked with her for years on construction contracts and property acquisitions.
She was in her early fifties, with short silver-blond hair and sharp blue eyes. Dad had worked with her for years on construction contracts and property acquisitions.
I had never seen him look so relieved to have another adult in the room.
"Rebecca," he said, "thank you for coming on such.
I had never seen him look so relieved to have another adult in the room.
"Rebecca," he said, "thank you for coming on such short notice.""
She placed her briefcase on the table.
"You said there might be unauthorized transfers involving your late wife's estate.""
"That's right.""
"And you believe your current wife may have been involved?""
Dad glanced toward the staircase.
"Yes.""
Rebecca opened short notice.""
She placed her briefcase on the table.
"You said there might be unauthorized transfers involving your late wife's estate.""
"That's right.""
"And you believe your current wife may have been involved?""
Dad glanced toward the staircase.
"Yes.""
Rebecca opened her notebook.
"Then let's separate what you know from what you suspect. That distinction her notebook.
"Then let's separate what you know from what you suspect. That distinction will matter.""
She turned to me.
"Emily, I understand you may have signed documents when you were seventeen.""
I nodded.
"Do you remember what they were?""
"Not exactly. Monica told me they were routine estate paperwork. She said Dad had already signed everything.""
"Did you read the documents?""
"No.""
"Did anyone explain what you were will matter.""
She turned to me.
"Emily, I understand you may have signed documents when you were seventeen.""
I nodded.
"Do you remember what they were?""
"Not exactly. Monica told me they were routine estate paperwork. She said Dad had already signed everything.""
"Did you read the documents?""
"No.""
"Did anyone explain what you were signing?""
"No.""
Rebecca wrote something down.
"Did you receive copies?""
I shook my head.
She looked at Dad.
"That doesn't establish wrongdoing by itself, but it gives us a clear place to signing?""
"No.""
Rebecca wrote something down.
"Did you receive copies?""
I shook my head.
She looked at Dad.
"That doesn't establish wrongdoing by itself, but it gives us a clear place to start. We'll need the original documents, the trust's governing paperwork, and the bank's transaction history.""
Dad slid the printed records across the table.
"There's also a transfer of three hundred and fifty thousand dollars into a business called Meridian Lifestyle Services.""
Rebecca examined the page.
"Do you recognize the business?""
"No start. We'll need the original documents, the trust's governing paperwork, and the bank's transaction history.""
Dad slid the printed records across the table.
"There's also a transfer of three hundred and fifty thousand dollars into a business called Meridian Lifestyle Services.""
Rebecca examined the page.
"Do you recognize the business?""
"No.""
"Have you ever authorized a transfer to it?""
"Not knowingly.""
She studied the signature on the document.
"Then we need.""
"Have you ever authorized a transfer to it?""
"Not knowingly.""
She studied the signature on the document.
"Then we need the bank's original records, not just a photograph. And we need to find out who controlled the receiving account.""
I sat with my hands clasped beneath the table.
Three hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
One hundred and eighty-seven thousand dollars.
The numbers seemed unreal.
I the bank's original records, not just a photograph. And we need to find out who controlled the receiving account.""
I sat with my hands clasped beneath the table.
Three hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
One hundred and eighty-seven thousand dollars.
The numbers seemed unreal.
I had spent two years saving $12,400 for had spent two years saving $12,400 for a used car, celebrating every time I could put another hundred dollars into my savings account.
Meanwhile, someone might have taken hundreds of thousands of dollars from the money my mother left behind.
Rebecca closed the folder.
"Daniel, I recommend that you preserve every financial record, change your account credentials, and have the bank investigate the profile. Don't delete messages, alter documents, or confront anyone before we understand the situation.""
Dad nodded.
"What about Emily's car?""
"That's a separate issue. a used car, celebrating every time I could put another hundred dollars into my savings account.
Meanwhile, someone might have taken hundreds of thousands of dollars from the money my mother left behind.
Rebecca closed the folder.
"Daniel, I recommend that you preserve every financial record, change your account credentials, and have the bank investigate the profile. Don't delete messages, alter documents, or confront anyone before we understand the situation.""
Dad nodded.
"What about Emily's car?""
"That's a separate issue. We'll need the title, proof of ownership, and whatever information we can obtain about the sale.""
I leaned forward.
"I have the title.""
Rebecca looked at me.
"Good. Keep it somewhere safe.""
"I also have the receipt from when I We'll need the title, proof of ownership, and whatever information we can obtain about the sale.""
I leaned forward.
"I have the title.""
Rebecca looked at me.
"Good. Keep it somewhere safe.""
"I also have the receipt from when I bought the car.""
"Even better.""
She gave me a small, reassuring smile.
"Your records may prove more useful than you realize.""
Then she asked a question that made Dad's expression change.
"Was Laura's estate ever formally bought the car.""
"Even better.""
She gave me a small, reassuring smile.
"Your records may prove more useful than you realize.""
Then she asked a question that made Dad's expression change.
"Was Laura's estate ever formally administered through probate?""
Dad stared at her.
"I thought it was.""
"You thought it was?""
"Monica handled most of the paperwork. I was dealing with the funeral, the house, and Emily's schooling.""
Rebecca opened her briefcase again.
"Then I administered through probate?""
Dad stared at her.
"I thought it was.""
"You thought it was?""
"Monica handled most of the paperwork. I was dealing with the funeral, the house, and Emily's schooling.""
Rebecca opened her briefcase again.
"Then I need to verify that.""
She made several notes and asked Dad to locate the original estate file.
He disappeared into his study.
I stayed at the table while Rebecca reviewed the documents.
After a few minutes, she spoke without need to verify that.""
She made several notes and asked Dad to locate the original estate file.
He disappeared into his study.
I stayed at the table while Rebecca reviewed the documents.
After a few minutes, she spoke without looking up.
"Emily, can I ask you something personal?""
"Sure.""
"Did your mother ever tell you about an account she had set looking up.
"Emily, can I ask you something personal?""
"Sure.""
"Did your mother ever tell you about an account she had set aside specifically for you?""
I thought about the little glass jar she had kept on her dresser.
Every birthday, she deposited money into it. Sometimes five dollars. Sometimes twenty. She said the amount didn't matter as much as the habit.
"She told me she wanted me to have money for college and a aside specifically for you?""
I thought about the little glass jar she had kept on her dresser.
Every birthday, she deposited money into it. Sometimes five dollars. Sometimes twenty. She said the amount didn't matter as much as the habit.
"She told me she wanted me to have money for college and a home someday.""
Rebecca nodded.
"That sounds consistent with what I'm seeing here.""
She turned a page toward me.
The trust statement listed an initial balance of $175,000, followed by accumulated interest and investment gains.
home someday.""
Rebecca nodded.
"That sounds consistent with what I'm seeing here.""
She turned a page toward me.
The trust statement listed an initial balance of $175,000, followed by accumulated interest and investment gains.
"Your mother appears to have created a custodial arrangement for your benefit. The person managing the account had duties to act in your interests.""
"Does that mean the money was mine?""
"Potentially, yes, depending on the trust's terms and applicable law. We need to examine the original agreement before reaching a"Your mother appears to have created a custodial arrangement for your benefit. The person managing the account had duties to act in your interests.""
"Does that mean the money was mine?""
"Potentially, yes, depending on the trust's terms and applicable law. We need to examine the original agreement before reaching a conclusion.""
I swallowed.
"Could Monica have taken it?""
Rebecca's expression remained measured.
"Money can be transferred for legitimate reasons, and there may be explanations we haven't seen. But if someone used a position of trust to divert funds for personal expenses, that would be conclusion.""
I swallowed.
"Could Monica have taken it?""
Rebecca's expression remained measured.
"Money can be transferred for legitimate reasons, and there may be explanations we haven't seen. But if someone used a position of trust to divert funds for personal expenses, that would be a serious matter.""
I stared at the page.
"What happens if that person is my stepmother?""
"Her relationship to you doesn't change the importance of the evidence.""
For the first time, I felt something stronger than anger.
I felt hope a serious matter.""
I stared at the page.
"What happens if that person is my stepmother?""
"Her relationship to you doesn't change the importance of the evidence.""
For the first time, I felt something stronger than anger.
I felt hope.
Not the bright, careless kind that makes you believe everything will work out.
The quieter kind that comes when someone finally takes your problem seriously.
The.
Not the bright, careless kind that makes you believe everything will work out.
The quieter kind that comes when someone finally takes your problem seriously.
The front door slammed.
Kayla entered carrying three shopping bags.
She stopped when she saw Rebecca.
"Who is that?""
Dad emerged from the study.
"Rebecca Hayes. My attorney.""
Kay front door slammed.
Kayla entered carrying three shopping bags.
She stopped when she saw Rebecca.
"Who is that?""
Dad emerged from the study.
"Rebecca Hayes. My attorney.""
Kayla looked at the documents on the table.
"Why do you need an attorney?""
"Because I have financial transactions I need investigated.""
Her face tightened.
"Is this still about the car?""
"No.""
Dadla looked at the documents on the table.
"Why do you need an attorney?""
"Because I have financial transactions I need investigated.""
Her face tightened.
"Is this still about the car?""
"No.""
Dad's answer was so calm that Kayla seemed more unsettled by it than if he had shouted.
Rebecca gathered her papers.
"I'll contact the bank and request the necessary records. Daniel, please's answer was so calm that Kayla seemed more unsettled by it than if he had shouted.
Rebecca gathered her papers.
"I'll contact the bank and request the necessary records. Daniel, please send me the original estate documents as soon as you find them.""
After she left, Kayla dropped her shopping bags beside the stairs.
"This is insane," she said.
"You're send me the original estate documents as soon as you find them.""
After she left, Kayla dropped her shopping bags beside the stairs.
"This is insane," she said.
"You're treating Mom like a criminal because she bought me a car.""
Dad turned toward treating Mom like a criminal because she bought me a car.""
Dad turned toward her.
"I haven't decided what happened yet. That's her.
"I haven't decided what happened yet. That's why I'm investigating.""
"Well, maybe you should stop. Mom has done everything for this family.""
"Did she tell you where the money for your SUV why I'm investigating.""
"Well, maybe you should stop. Mom has done everything for this family.""
"Did she tell you where the money for your SUV came from?""
Kayla folded her arms.
"She said it was a gift.""
"Did she tell you she sold Emily's car?""
"She said Emily came from?""
Kayla folded her arms.
"She said it was a gift.""
"Did she tell you she sold Emily's car?""
"She said Emily wasn't using it enough.""
I felt my face grow hot.
"I used it every day.""
Kayla rolled her eyes.
"You know what I mean.""
"No, I don't. Explain it to me.""
She stared at me.
"Mom said she wasn't using it enough.""
I felt my face grow hot.
"I used it every day.""
Kayla rolled her eyes.
"You know what I mean.""
"No, I don't. Explain it to me.""
She stared at me.
"Mom said she was helping me. That's all I know.""
"Then why did you laugh when I found out?""
Her expression flickered.
"Because you were acting dramatic.""
was helping me. That's all I know.""
"Then why did you laugh when I found out?""
Her expression flickered.
"Because you were acting dramatic.""
"You knew I'd have to take the bus to work.""
"You're always acting like everything is a tragedy!""
Dad stepped between us.
"Enough. Kayla, you can disagree"You knew I'd have to take the bus to work.""
"You're always acting like everything is a tragedy!""
Dad stepped between us.
"Enough. Kayla, you can disagree with your sister without insulting her.""
She looked at him in disbelief.
"You're taking her side?""
"I'm taking the side of the facts.""
Kayla grabbed her bags and stormed upstairs.
A few minutes later, Dad's with your sister without insulting her.""
She looked at him in disbelief.
"You're taking her side?""
"I'm taking the side of the facts.""
Kayla grabbed her bags and stormed upstairs.
A few minutes later, Dad's phone rang.
It was Rebecca.
He answered and listened in silence.
Then he asked, "You're certain?""
A pause.
"All right. Send me whatever you have.""
He ended the call and looked at me.
"The county clerk's office can't find a completed probate filing under your mother's estate.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"What does that mean?""
"It means we need to find out what happened to the documents Monica said she filed.""
He returned to his study.
I followed him.
"Could she have lied about everything?""
Dad stopped at the doorway.
"I don't know yet.""
His voice softened.
"But I promise you, Emily, we will find out.""
That evening, Monica came downstairs dressed for dinner as though nothing had happened.
She wore a black silk blouse, gold earrings, and the perfume she saved for special occasions.
She looked at the papers spread across the dining table.
Then she looked at Dad.
"So this is what we're doing now? Hiring lawyers to attack me?""
Dad didn't rise from his chair.
"Nobody is attacking you. We're reviewing financial records.""
"Over phone rang.
It was Rebecca.
He answered and listened in silence.
Then he asked, "You're certain?""
A pause.
"All right. Send me whatever you have.""
He ended the call and looked at me.
"The county clerk's office can't find a completed probate filing under your mother's estate.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"What does that mean?""
"It means we need to find out what happened to the documents Monica said she filed.""
He returned to his study.
I followed him.
"Could she have lied about everything?""
Dad stopped at the doorway.
"I don't know yet.""
His voice softened.
"But I promise you, Emily, we will find out.""
That evening, Monica came downstairs dressed for dinner as though nothing had happened.
She wore a black silk blouse, gold earrings, and the perfume she saved for special occasions.
She looked at the papers spread across the dining table.
Then she looked at Dad.
"So this is what we're doing now? Hiring lawyers to attack me?""
Dad didn't rise from his chair.
"Nobody is attacking you. We're reviewing financial records.""
"Over a car?""
"Over several transactions.""
Monica laughed bitterly.
"You've a car?""
"Over several transactions.""
Monica laughed bitterly.
"You've always been too trusting of Emily. She knows exactly how to make herself look like a victim.""
I put down my fork.
"I didn't make you sell my car.""
"You should be grateful I didn't ask you to contribute to the SUV.""
"Contribute with what? Money you already took?""
Her face hardened.
"Watch your mouth.""
Dad stood.
"That's enough, Monica.""
She turned to him always been too trusting of Emily. She knows exactly how to make herself look like a victim.""
I put down my fork.
"I didn't make you sell my car.""
"You should be grateful I didn't ask you to contribute to the SUV.""
"Contribute with what? Money you already took?""
Her face hardened.
"Watch your mouth.""
Dad stood.
"That's enough, Monica.""
She turned to him.
"You cannot seriously believe your daughter over your.
"You cannot seriously believe your daughter over your wife.""
"I believe the documents need to be examined.""
"And what happens when this ridiculous investigation finds nothing?""
"Then we'll know.""
Monica looked at me with a hatred she no longer bothered to disguise.
"You have no wife.""
"I believe the documents need to be examined.""
"And what happens when this ridiculous investigation finds nothing?""
"Then we'll know.""
Monica looked at me with a hatred she no longer bothered to disguise.
"You have no idea what you've started.""
I idea what you've started.""
I met her gaze.
"Maybe not. But I know I didn't start it by stealing anything.""
She pushed her chair back so violently that it struck the wall.
Then she walked out.
Dad watched her leave.
For several seconds, he didn't speak.
Finally, he said, "I think we should prepare for the possibility that she knew exactly what she was doing.""
I stared at the empty doorway.
Then Dad's phone buzzed.
Rebecca had sent an email.
The subject line read:
*URGENT: RECORDS REQUEST — LAURA'S ESTATE.*
Attached was a preliminary report showing that the $350,000 transfer had been made to Meridian Lifestyle Services through an account opened shortly after my mother's death.
The account's registered met her gaze.
"Maybe not. But I know I didn't start it by stealing anything.""
She pushed her chair back so violently that it struck the wall.
Then she walked out.
Dad watched her leave.
For several seconds, he didn't speak.
Finally, he said, "I think we should prepare for the possibility that she knew exactly what she was doing.""
I stared at the empty doorway.
Then Dad's phone buzzed.
Rebecca had sent an email.
The subject line read:
*URGENT: RECORDS REQUEST — LAURA'S ESTATE.*
Attached was a preliminary report showing that the $350,000 transfer had been made to Meridian Lifestyle Services through an account opened shortly after my mother's death.
The account's registered contact wasn't Monica.
It was someone else.
Someone whose name made Dad whisper a word I had never heard him use before.
"God.""
I leaned over his shoulder.
The contact wasn't Monica.
It was someone else.
Someone whose name made Dad whisper a word I had never heard him use before.
"God.""
I leaned over his shoulder.
The name on the report was *Thomas Reed*.
Dad slowly sat down.
"Who is he?"" I asked.
He looked at me, and for the first time, I saw something in his name on the report was *Thomas Reed*.
Dad slowly sat down.
"Who is he?"" I asked.
He looked at me, and for the first time, I saw something in his expression that had nothing to do with money.
Recognition.
And fear.
"Thomas," he said, "was your mother's financial adviser.""
May you like
Then he looked back at the report.
"He's also been missing for almost three years.""
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