Chapter 8: The Attorney Who Knew My## Chapter 8: The Attorney Who Knew My Mother
The next morning, I showed Dad the photograph of my mother's note.
He read it twice.
Then Mother
The next morning, I showed Dad the photograph of my mother's note.
He read it twice.
Then he called Rebecca.
She arrived at our house less than he called Rebecca.
She arrived at our house less than an hour later, carrying the same leather briefcase she had brought the day before.
Dad met her in the study.
I followed them inside and placed my an hour later, carrying the same leather briefcase she had brought the day before.
Dad met her in the study.
I followed them inside and placed my phone on the desk.
"Did you know my mother?"" I asked.
Rebecca looked at the photograph.
For the first time since we'd met, she appeared genuinely shaken.
"Where did you get this?""
"From Patricia Reed. Her husband kept it among his papers.""
Rebecca sat down slowly.
" phone on the desk.
"Did you know my mother?"" I asked.
Rebecca looked at the photograph.
For the first time since we'd met, she appeared genuinely shaken.
"Where did you get this?""
"From Patricia Reed. Her husband kept it among his papers.""
Rebecca sat down slowly.
"Laura and I knew each other before she became ill.""
Dad stared at her.
"You never mentioned that.""
"I didn't think it was relevant to your construction business, Daniel. I met Laura through a charitable foundation. She was helpingLaura and I knew each other before she became ill.""
Dad stared at her.
"You never mentioned that.""
"I didn't think it was relevant to your construction business, Daniel. I met Laura through a charitable foundation. She was helping establish a scholarship program for young women entering college.""
I looked at the note.
"Why would Mom write your name here?""
Rebecca folded her hands.
"Because I helped her establish the original trust.""
The words struck me like a physical blow.
Dad establish a scholarship program for young women entering college.""
I looked at the note.
"Why would Mom write your name here?""
Rebecca folded her hands.
"Because I helped her establish the original trust.""
The words struck me like a physical blow.
Dad leaned forward.
"You told me yesterday that we needed to locate the original agreement.""
"I said we needed the original documents for the investigation. I didn't say I had never seen the agreement.""
"That's a distinction you should have made clear leaned forward.
"You told me yesterday that we needed to locate the original agreement.""
"I said we needed the original documents for the investigation. I didn't say I had never seen the agreement.""
"That's a distinction you should have made clear.""
"You're right," she replied.
"I should have.""
Her willingness to admit it seemed to surprise him.
Rebecca opened her briefcase.
"I didn't want to disclose information about Laura's private affairs without understanding why it had become relevant. But.""
"You're right," she replied.
"I should have.""
Her willingness to admit it seemed to surprise him.
Rebecca opened her briefcase.
"I didn't want to disclose information about Laura's private affairs without understanding why it had become relevant. But given what you've found, I should explain.""
She removed a thick envelope secured with a red ribbon.
My breath caught.
The front was marked in faded ink.
*LAURA BENNETT — ORIGINAL TRUST AGREEMENT.*
My given what you've found, I should explain.""
She removed a thick envelope secured with a red ribbon.
My breath caught.
The front was marked in faded ink.
*LAURA BENNETT — ORIGINAL TRUST AGREEMENT.*
My mother's handwriting.
Rebecca placed the envelope on the desk but kept one hand on it.
"Laura gave this to me shortly before she died. She was concerned that her financial arrangements mother's handwriting.
Rebecca placed the envelope on the desk but kept one hand on it.
"Laura gave this to me shortly before she died. She was concerned that her financial arrangements might be challenged after her death.""
"By Monica?"" I asked.
Rebecca looked at me carefully.
"Laura never named Monica as the person she feared. She told me that someone had obtained access to confidential financial information and had attempted to redirect money from the trust might be challenged after her death.""
"By Monica?"" I asked.
Rebecca looked at me carefully.
"Laura never named Monica as the person she feared. She told me that someone had obtained access to confidential financial information and had attempted to redirect money from the trust.""
Dad went pale.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Laura asked me not to involve you until she had more evidence. She believed you were under enormous emotional strain, and she didn't want you to confront anyone prematurely.""
"She was.""
Dad went pale.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Laura asked me not to involve you until she had more evidence. She believed you were under enormous emotional strain, and she didn't want you to confront anyone prematurely.""
"She was dying, Rebecca.""
"I know.""
Her voice softened.
"I have never forgotten that.""
Dad stood and walked to the window.
"Did dying, Rebecca.""
"I know.""
Her voice softened.
"I have never forgotten that.""
Dad stood and walked to the window.
"Did Laura believe someone was stealing from her?""
"She believed someone had attempted to change the beneficiary arrangements. She wanted the original trust preserved in case the alteration was used Laura believe someone was stealing from her?""
"She believed someone had attempted to change the beneficiary arrangements. She wanted the original trust preserved in case the alteration was used later.""
I looked at the envelope.
"Why didn't you contact me when I turned eighteen?""
Rebecca lowered her eyes.
"Because Laura's instructions were specific. She asked me to preserve the original agreement and to make sure you had access later.""
I looked at the envelope.
"Why didn't you contact me when I turned eighteen?""
Rebecca lowered her eyes.
"Because Laura's instructions were specific. She asked me to preserve the original agreement and to make sure you had access to it if a dispute arose over your inheritance. She did not authorize me to disclose her suspicions without evidence.""
"She left me money, and I didn't even know you had the document that protected it.""
"I understand why you're angry.""
"Do to it if a dispute arose over your inheritance. She did not authorize me to disclose her suspicions without evidence.""
"She left me money, and I didn't even know you had the document that protected it.""
"I understand why you're angry.""
"Do you?""
My voice shook.
"I worked two years to buy a used Honda. I skipped meals with my friends and took extra shifts because I wanted to be able to take care of myself. Meanwhile, somebody might have taken hundreds of thousands of dollars from my mother's trust, you?""
My voice shook.
"I worked two years to buy a used Honda. I skipped meals with my friends and took extra shifts because I wanted to be able to take care of myself. Meanwhile, somebody might have taken hundreds of thousands of dollars from my mother's trust, and everyone kept telling me not to ask questions.""
Rebecca didn't interrupt.
I continued.
"All this time, I thought I was fighting over a car. I was fighting because I wanted one thing in my life that I could call mine.""
Dad turned away from the window.
"Emily—"
"No, Dad and everyone kept telling me not to ask questions.""
Rebecca didn't interrupt.
I continued.
"All this time, I thought I was fighting over a car. I was fighting because I wanted one thing in my life that I could call mine.""
Dad turned away from the window.
"Emily—"
"No, Dad. I need to say this.""
I looked at Rebecca.
"If Mom trusted you with the original document, then I need to know exactly what it says. No more half-tr. I need to say this.""
I looked at Rebecca.
"If Mom trusted you with the original document, then I need to know exactly what it says. No more half-truths. No more deciding I'm too young to understand.""
Rebecca nodded.
"That's fair.""
She opened the envelope.
Inside were several pages of legal documents, each bearinguths. No more deciding I'm too young to understand.""
Rebecca nodded.
"That's fair.""
She opened the envelope.
Inside were several pages of legal documents, each bearing my mother's signature and the signatures of two witnesses.
Rebecca turned to the relevant section.
"Your mother established the trust to provide for your education, housing, and future financial independence. The assets were to be managed for your benefit until the terms governing distribution my mother's signature and the signatures of two witnesses.
Rebecca turned to the relevant section.
"Your mother established the trust to provide for your education, housing, and future financial independence. The assets were to be managed for your benefit until the terms governing distribution were met.""
"Could Monica change it?""
"Not without the authority required by the agreement and applicable law. The document she allegedly signed after Laura's death would not automatically replace this one.""
Dad studied the were met.""
"Could Monica change it?""
"Not without the authority required by the agreement and applicable law. The document she allegedly signed after Laura's death would not automatically replace this one.""
Dad studied the pages.
"And the $350,000 insurance transfer?""
"The insurance policy was separate, but Laura's records show that she intended a substantial portion of the proceeds to support your future. We need to determine what happened to those proceeds and whether any transfers were authorized.""
I stared at the pages.
"And the $350,000 insurance transfer?""
"The insurance policy was separate, but Laura's records show that she intended a substantial portion of the proceeds to support your future. We need to determine what happened to those proceeds and whether any transfers were authorized.""
I stared at the original agreement.
"How much money should be in the trust today?""
Rebecca took out a statement.
"Based on the original balance and the available investment records, the trust should have held approximately $187,000 when the last legitimate statement was issued. The current original agreement.
"How much money should be in the trust today?""
Rebecca took out a statement.
"Based on the original balance and the available investment records, the trust should have held approximately $187,000 when the last legitimate statement was issued. The current balance is still being verified.""
"Could the money have grown?""
"Yes.""
"Could it have disappeared?""
"Unfortunately, yes.""
She paused.
"But we now have a document establishing what your mother intended. That matters.""
Dad sat down.
"What happens next?""
Rebecca placed balance is still being verified.""
"Could the money have grown?""
"Yes.""
"Could it have disappeared?""
"Unfortunately, yes.""
She paused.
"But we now have a document establishing what your mother intended. That matters.""
Dad sat down.
"What happens next?""
Rebecca placed the agreement back in its envelope.
"We provide the original to the appropriate investigators, preserve the chain of custody, and obtain the bank's complete records. We also need to establish whether the signatures on the later documents are genuine.""
I looked at her.
"Will you keep representing the agreement back in its envelope.
"We provide the original to the appropriate investigators, preserve the chain of custody, and obtain the bank's complete records. We also need to establish whether the signatures on the later documents are genuine.""
I looked at her.
"Will you keep representing Dad?""
Rebecca hesitated.
"I need to consider whether my prior relationship with Laura creates a conflict that requires independent counsel for some aspects of the matter. I will make sure neither of you is left without appropriate representation.""
It Dad?""
Rebecca hesitated.
"I need to consider whether my prior relationship with Laura creates a conflict that requires independent counsel for some aspects of the matter. I will make sure neither of you is left without appropriate representation.""
It was the first answer that made me trust her a little more.
She wasn't promising that she could solve everything.
She was acknowledging that the truth might require other people to examine her own actions, too.
After Rebecca left, Dad and I sat at the kitchen table.
"Do you think Mom knew Monica was involved was the first answer that made me trust her a little more.
She wasn't promising that she could solve everything.
She was acknowledging that the truth might require other people to examine her own actions, too.
After Rebecca left, Dad and I sat at the kitchen table.
"Do you think Mom knew Monica was involved?"" I asked.
"I don't know.""
"Do you think she knew the money was missing?""
"She may have suspected it.""
I looked at the original agreement's photocopy.
"Why didn't she tell me?""
Dad took my hand.
"She wanted you to have a childhood. She didn't want you worrying?"" I asked.
"I don't know.""
"Do you think she knew the money was missing?""
"She may have suspected it.""
I looked at the original agreement's photocopy.
"Why didn't she tell me?""
Dad took my hand.
"She wanted you to have a childhood. She didn't want you worrying about money while she was dying.""
I swallowed.
"She was trying to protect me.""
"Yes.""
"And you were trying to protect me, too.""
He nodded.
"But sometimes protecting someone means telling them the truth. I should have understood that sooner.""
For a moment, we sat quietly.
Then Dad's phone about money while she was dying.""
I swallowed.
"She was trying to protect me.""
"Yes.""
"And you were trying to protect me, too.""
He nodded.
"But sometimes protecting someone means telling them the truth. I should have understood that sooner.""
For a moment, we sat quietly.
Then Dad's phone rang.
It was Rebecca.
"Daniel, I have an update. The bank has identified a withdrawal that appears to have been made from the trust account shortly before the secondary purchasing profile was activated.""
"How much?""
"Forty-two thousand dollars.""
Dad closed his eyes.
"Where did it go rang.
It was Rebecca.
"Daniel, I have an update. The bank has identified a withdrawal that appears to have been made from the trust account shortly before the secondary purchasing profile was activated.""
"How much?""
"Forty-two thousand dollars.""
Dad closed his eyes.
"Where did it go?""
"To a personal account. The account holder's identity is being verified, but the bank's preliminary records show that the funds were used to pay a mortgage and?""
"To a personal account. The account holder's identity is being verified, but the bank's preliminary records show that the funds were used to pay a mortgage and several credit card balances.""
"Whose mortgage?""
Rebecca paused.
"The property records suggest it was connected to Monica several credit card balances.""
"Whose mortgage?""
Rebecca paused.
"The property records suggest it was connected to Monica's former residence.""
Dad opened his eyes.
"Her former residence?""
"Yes. The home she owned before marrying you.""
I looked at him.
He looked back at me.
Monica had told us she sold that home after the wedding to help pay off her debts.
If the trust money had been used to cover the mortgage, then perhaps's former residence.""
Dad opened his eyes.
"Her former residence?""
"Yes. The home she owned before marrying you.""
I looked at him.
He looked back at me.
Monica had told us she sold that home after the wedding to help pay off her debts.
If the trust money had been used to cover the mortgage, then perhaps the house had never been paid off at all.
Rebecca continued.
"There is another issue. The bank found a transfer scheduled for tomorrow morning. It was initiated before the secondary profile was suspended, and the system is still processing the cancellation request.""
"How much?"" the house had never been paid off at all.
Rebecca continued.
"There is another issue. The bank found a transfer scheduled for tomorrow morning. It was initiated before the secondary profile was suspended, and the system is still processing the cancellation request.""
"How much?"" Dad asked.
"Sixty-eight thousand dollars.""
"Can you stop it?""
"We're trying.""
Dad rose from the table.
"Who is receiving it?""
Rebecca gave him the name of a company.
I recognized it immediately.
Dad asked.
"Sixty-eight thousand dollars.""
"Can you stop it?""
"We're trying.""
Dad rose from the table.
"Who is receiving it?""
Rebecca gave him the name of a company.
I recognized it immediately.
Meridian Lifestyle Services.
But the receiving account was different from the one we'd already identified.
This time, the beneficiary was a law firm.
A law firm whose name I had never heard before.
Dad wrote it down.
Then Rebecca said, "One more thing. The bank's records show that the scheduled transfer was approvedMeridian Lifestyle Services.
But the receiving account was different from the one we'd already identified.
This time, the beneficiary was a law firm.
A law firm whose name I had never heard before.
Dad wrote it down.
Then Rebecca said, "One more thing. The bank's records show that the scheduled transfer was approved using a verification code sent to a mobile phone registered under Emily's name.""
My blood ran cold.
"I don't have any account with that bank.""
"I understand," Rebecca replied.
"The number is an old number associated with your identity, and the bank is investigating how it was used using a verification code sent to a mobile phone registered under Emily's name.""
My blood ran cold.
"I don't have any account with that bank.""
"I understand," Rebecca replied.
"The number is an old number associated with your identity, and the bank is investigating how it was used.""
Dad looked at me.
"Emily, did you ever lose your phone when you were younger?""
I thought back.
"When I was seventeen, my old phone broke. Monica gave me a replacement. She said she had found it through a family plan.""
Dad went completely still.
"What did the phone look like?""
"A black phone..""
Dad looked at me.
"Emily, did you ever lose your phone when you were younger?""
I thought back.
"When I was seventeen, my old phone broke. Monica gave me a replacement. She said she had found it through a family plan.""
Dad went completely still.
"What did the phone look like?""
"A black phone. I used it for about a year before buying my own.""
He turned toward Rebecca.
"Can you find out who purchased that device and who controlled the account?""
"We'll request the relevant records.""
The call ended.
I sat frozen at the kitchen table.
Someone I used it for about a year before buying my own.""
He turned toward Rebecca.
"Can you find out who purchased that device and who controlled the account?""
"We'll request the relevant records.""
The call ended.
I sat frozen at the kitchen table.
Someone had used my name.
Someone had used my mother's trust.
Someone had apparently used a phone connected to my identity to authorize a transfer I had never known existed.
And now, with the investigation closing in, sixty-eight thousand dollars was scheduled to leave the account.
Dad grabbed his keys.
"I'm had used my name.
Someone had used my mother's trust.
Someone had apparently used a phone connected to my identity to authorize a transfer I had never known existed.
And now, with the investigation closing in, sixty-eight thousand dollars was scheduled to leave the account.
Dad grabbed his keys.
"I'm going to the bank.""
"Can I come?""
He looked at me.
"Yes.""
We drove downtown in silence.
For the first time, I wasn't thinking about going to the bank.""
"Can I come?""
He looked at me.
"Yes.""
We drove downtown in silence.
For the first time, I wasn't thinking about getting my car back.
I was thinking about the possibility that my mother had spent her final months trying to protect me from something she couldn't stop.
And I was beginning to getting my car back.
I was thinking about the possibility that my mother had spent her final months trying to protect me from something she couldn't stop.
And I was beginning to understand that the person who had taken my money hadn't simply wanted wealth.
She had wanted control over my future.
When we reached the bank, Dad's phone rang again.
He answered.
Listened.
Then stopped walking.
"What do you mean, the transfer has already been released understand that the person who had taken my money hadn't simply wanted wealth.
She had wanted control over my future.
When we reached the bank, Dad's phone rang again.
He answered.
Listened.
Then stopped walking.
"What do you mean, the transfer has already been released?""
He stared at the pavement.
"Who authorized it?""
A pause.
Then he whispered, "That's impossible.""
He turned toward me.
"The money is gone.""
And then he told me the name of the person who had received it.
It was not Monica.
It was *Kayla*.
?""
He stared at the pavement.
"Who authorized it?""
A pause.
Then he whispered, "That's impossible.""
He turned toward me.
"The money is gone.""
And then he told me the name of the person who had received it.
May you like
It was not Monica.
It was *Kayla*.
