Chapter 7: The Husband Before Me## Chapter 7: The Husband Before Me
For several seconds, I couldn't make sense of what Jessica
For several seconds, I couldn't make sense of what Jessica had said.
“Her husband?”” I repeated.
Jessica nodded.
“Richard was married to had said.
“Her husband?”” I repeated.
Jessica nodded.
“Richard was married to Mom for six years. They divorced before she met you.””
Ethan stared at her.
“You knew that?””
“Of course I knew. I was a teenager when they split Mom for six years. They divorced before she met you.””
Ethan stared at her.
“You knew that?””
“Of course I knew. I was a teenager when they split up.””
“Then why did you tell Dad you didn't know Richard?””
Jessica's eyes filled again.
“Because Mom told me never to bring him up. She said he was a terrible person and that she'd up.””
“Then why did you tell Dad you didn't know Richard?””
Jessica's eyes filled again.
“Because Mom told me never to bring him up. She said he was a terrible person and that she'd escaped a bad marriage.””
I turned back to Jessica.
“What happened between them?””
“I don't know everything. Their marriage ended after a business deal collapsed. Mom said Richard blamed her for the escaped a bad marriage.””
I turned back to Jessica.
“What happened between them?””
“I don't know everything. Their marriage ended after a business deal collapsed. Mom said Richard blamed her for the losses, and she blamed him.
They fought constantly. Eventually, she moved out.””
“And then she married me.””
“Years later, yes.””
I thought about the woman I had met at a charity fundraiser eighteen months earlier. Vanessa had been charming, funny, and attentive. She had listened to me talk about Ethan losses, and she blamed him.
They fought constantly. Eventually, she moved out.””
“And then she married me.””
“Years later, yes.””
I thought about the woman I had met at a charity fundraiser eighteen months earlier. Vanessa had been charming, funny, and attentive. She had listened to me talk about Ethan and Laura, never once suggesting that I should stop mentioning my first wife.
She had told me that she'd been divorced for years and was ready for a peaceful life.
I'd never questioned why she spoke so little about her former marriage.
I had assumed the memories were painful.
Now and Laura, never once suggesting that I should stop mentioning my first wife.
She had told me that she'd been divorced for years and was ready for a peaceful life.
I'd never questioned why she spoke so little about her former marriage.
I had assumed the memories were painful.
Now I wondered whether she'd been waiting for the right moment to reopen something she had never truly left behind.
“Why are they working together again?”” I asked.
Jessica shook her head.
“I don't know. But about six months ago, Richard started calling her. She'd take the I wondered whether she'd been waiting for the right moment to reopen something she had never truly left behind.
“Why are they working together again?”” I asked.
Jessica shook her head.
“I don't know. But about six months ago, Richard started calling her. She'd take the calls outside or go into the guesthouse. Whenever I asked, she'd say he was helping her with an old financial matter.””
“What financial matter?””
“The property deal she told you calls outside or go into the guesthouse. Whenever I asked, she'd say he was helping her with an old financial matter.””
“What financial matter?””
“The property deal she told you about. I think she still owes him money.””
Ethan folded his arms.
“So she brought her ex-husband into Dad's financial affairs, planned to use Dad's name to secure about. I think she still owes him money.””
Ethan folded his arms.
“So she brought her ex-husband into Dad's financial affairs, planned to use Dad's name to secure a loan, and expected us to believe this was about rent?””
Jessica flinched.
“When you say it like that—”
“How else am I supposed to say it?””
I placed a loan, and expected us to believe this was about rent?””
Jessica flinched.
“When you say it like that—”
“How else am I supposed to say it?””
I placed a hand on Ethan's shoulder.
He was angry, and he had every right to be. But I needed answers more than I needed another argument.
“Jessica, when is the last time you saw Richard?””
“Last Saturday a hand on Ethan's shoulder.
He was angry, and he had every right to be. But I needed answers more than I needed another argument.
“Jessica, when is the last time you saw Richard?””
“Last Saturday.””
“Where?””
“At the storage facility.””
“What did you see?””
She looked at me.
“Mom was standing beside his car. They were arguing. Richard was holding a folder, and Mom kept telling him that you would.””
“Where?””
“At the storage facility.””
“What did you see?””
She looked at me.
“Mom was standing beside his car. They were arguing. Richard was holding a folder, and Mom kept telling him that you would sign everything once Ethan was gone.””
I felt a chill move through me.
“What did Richard say?””
“He told her that he wasn't going to risk another fraud allegation just because she couldn't control her household.””
The word another struck me.
“Another?””
Jessica nodded slowly.
sign everything once Ethan was gone.””
I felt a chill move through me.
“What did Richard say?””
“He told her that he wasn't going to risk another fraud allegation just because she couldn't control her household.””
The word another struck me.
“Another?””
Jessica nodded slowly.
“I think that's why they divorced. I heard Mom say something about a previous investigation. But I don't know whether anyone was charged with anything.””
I took out my phone and called Daniel.
He answered on the second ring.
“Michael?””
“I have new information“I think that's why they divorced. I heard Mom say something about a previous investigation. But I don't know whether anyone was charged with anything.””
I took out my phone and called Daniel.
He answered on the second ring.
“Michael?””
“I have new information. The man involved in the financial authorization is Vanessa's former husband. His name is Richard Hale.””
Daniel paused.
“Are you certain?””
“Jessica has confirmed their previous marriage. The man involved in the financial authorization is Vanessa's former husband. His name is Richard Hale.””
Daniel paused.
“Are you certain?””
“Jessica has confirmed their previous marriage. She also has an email from his company discussing the authorization and warning that the owner's consent must be valid.””
“Good. Bring that email to my office. Do not contact Richard directly. And don't go to the storage facility yourself.””
“Jessica says Vanessa is planning to meet him tomorrow. She also has an email from his company discussing the authorization and warning that the owner's consent must be valid.””
“Good. Bring that email to my office. Do not contact Richard directly. And don't go to the storage facility yourself.””
“Jessica says Vanessa is planning to meet him tomorrow morning with documents for me to sign.””
“Then we need to act before that meeting.””
I glanced at the envelope in my hand.
“What should I do?””
“Nothing that gives them access to your accounts or your signature. I'll contact the appropriate people morning with documents for me to sign.””
“Then we need to act before that meeting.””
I glanced at the envelope in my hand.
“What should I do?””
“Nothing that gives them access to your accounts or your signature. I'll contact the appropriate people and advise you on the next steps. We also need to determine whether the company filing was made using your identity and whether the bank received any related documents.””
“Understood.””
Daniel's voice became more serious.
“Michael, this may involve more than a family dispute. Preserve everything. Don't delete messages, and advise you on the next steps. We also need to determine whether the company filing was made using your identity and whether the bank received any related documents.””
“Understood.””
Daniel's voice became more serious.
“Michael, this may involve more than a family dispute. Preserve everything. Don't delete messages, don't alter files, and don't attempt to access anyone else's accounts.””
“I won't.””
After the call, I turned to Jessica.
“Did your mother tell you where she'll meet Richard tomorrow?””
“His office, I think. She said nine o'clock.””
“Can you prove that?””
Jessica took out her phone and opened a conversation.
There don't alter files, and don't attempt to access anyone else's accounts.””
“I won't.””
After the call, I turned to Jessica.
“Did your mother tell you where she'll meet Richard tomorrow?””
“His office, I think. She said nine o'clock.””
“Can you prove that?””
Jessica took out her phone and opened a conversation.
There were several messages from Vanessa.
One read, Tomorrow is the deadline. He needs to sign before Richard loses patience.
Another said, Make sure Ethan is out tonight. I don't want him interfering again.
I felt anger rising in my chest.
She hadn't were several messages from Vanessa.
One read, Tomorrow is the deadline. He needs to sign before Richard loses patience.
Another said, Make sure Ethan is out tonight. I don't want him interfering again.
I felt anger rising in my chest.
She hadn't merely threatened Ethan to establish household rules.
She wanted him gone before she put documents in front of me.
Jessica handed me the phone so I could photograph the messages.
Then she whispered, “There's something else.””
I waited.
“Mom told me that after you signed, she'd arrange a transfer from the merely threatened Ethan to establish household rules.
She wanted him gone before she put documents in front of me.
Jessica handed me the phone so I could photograph the messages.
Then she whispered, “There's something else.””
I waited.
“Mom told me that after you signed, she'd arrange a transfer from the company into an account Richard controls. She said it would settle the debt between them.””
“How much debt?””
Jessica looked sick.
“She mentioned four hundred and eighty thousand dollars.””
I stared at her.
Nearly half a million dollars.
The figure was more than I had paid for my first house company into an account Richard controls. She said it would settle the debt between them.””
“How much debt?””
Jessica looked sick.
“She mentioned four hundred and eighty thousand dollars.””
I stared at her.
Nearly half a million dollars.
The figure was more than I had paid for my first house. It was a substantial portion of the money I'd spent decades saving.
“Was she planning to take that money from my accounts?””
“I think so. She said the company would have enough backing once your assets were included.””
I rubbed my forehead.
“Why would Richard agree to that?””
“Because he wants his money back.. It was a substantial portion of the money I'd spent decades saving.
“Was she planning to take that money from my accounts?””
“I think so. She said the company would have enough backing once your assets were included.””
I rubbed my forehead.
“Why would Richard agree to that?””
“Because he wants his money back. I think he believes Mom will make good on her promises.””
“And what does Vanessa get out of it?””
Jessica's voice dropped.
“She said she'd be free.””
“Free from what?””
“From owing him. From being afraid he'd expose her. She said once the transfer I think he believes Mom will make good on her promises.””
“And what does Vanessa get out of it?””
Jessica's voice dropped.
“She said she'd be free.””
“Free from what?””
“From owing him. From being afraid he'd expose her. She said once the transfer was complete, she could start over somewhere else.””
Ethan looked at her in disbelief.
“Somewhere else? What about Dad?””
Jessica didn't answer.
I already knew.
In Vanessa's plan, I wasn't her husband.
I was the bridge between her debt and the money she needed to escape it.
And once she was complete, she could start over somewhere else.””
Ethan looked at her in disbelief.
“Somewhere else? What about Dad?””
Jessica didn't answer.
I already knew.
In Vanessa's plan, I wasn't her husband.
I was the bridge between her debt and the money she needed to escape it.
And once she had crossed that bridge, she intended to leave me standing on the other side with the consequences.
I stood and put the envelope into my briefcase.
“We're going home.””
Jessica grabbed my sleeve.
“Please don't tell Mom I spoke to you.””
I looked at her hand until had crossed that bridge, she intended to leave me standing on the other side with the consequences.
I stood and put the envelope into my briefcase.
“We're going home.””
Jessica grabbed my sleeve.
“Please don't tell Mom I spoke to you.””
I looked at her hand until she let go.
“I won't tell her anything that might compromise the evidence. But you need to understand that I cannot promise to protect you from the consequences of what you've done.””
She nodded.
Ethan walked toward the door without looking at her.
Outside, the rain had stopped, leaving the pavement shining beneath the streetlights.
she let go.
“I won't tell her anything that might compromise the evidence. But you need to understand that I cannot promise to protect you from the consequences of what you've done.””
She nodded.
Ethan walked toward the door without looking at her.
Outside, the rain had stopped, leaving the pavement shining beneath the streetlights.
As we reached the car, Jessica called after us.
“Ethan!””
He turned reluctantly.
She stood beneath the coffee shop awning, shivering in the cold.
“I really am sorry.””
He looked at her for a long moment.
“I'm sorry too.””
She seemed relieved.
Then he continued.
“I'm sorry IAs we reached the car, Jessica called after us.
“Ethan!””
He turned reluctantly.
She stood beneath the coffee shop awning, shivering in the cold.
“I really am sorry.””
He looked at her for a long moment.
“I'm sorry too.””
She seemed relieved.
Then he continued.
“I'm sorry I believed we were becoming a family.””
He got into the car.
I followed him, and neither of us spoke until we'd reached the end of the street.
My phone rang believed we were becoming a family.””
He got into the car.
I followed him, and neither of us spoke until we'd reached the end of the street.
My phone rang again.
This time, the number was unfamiliar.
I answered cautiously.
“Hello?””
A man's voice came through the speaker.
“Michael Carter?””
“Yes. Who is this?””
“My name is Richard Hale.””
I gripped the steering wheel.
“How did you get this number?””
“Your wife gave it to me.””
“What do you want?””
again.
This time, the number was unfamiliar.
I answered cautiously.
“Hello?””
A man's voice came through the speaker.
“Michael Carter?””
“Yes. Who is this?””
“My name is Richard Hale.””
I gripped the steering wheel.
“How did you get this number?””
“Your wife gave it to me.””
“What do you want?””
“I understand you're asking questions about a company registration and certain financial documents.””
I glanced at Ethan.
Richard continued.
“I'd prefer to discuss this privately. Vanessa has explained that there's been“I understand you're asking questions about a company registration and certain financial documents.””
I glanced at Ethan.
Richard continued.
“I'd prefer to discuss this privately. Vanessa has explained that there's been a misunderstanding.””
“What kind of misunderstanding?””
“The sort that can be resolved before anyone makes an expensive mistake.””
I felt my jaw tighten.
“Are you threatening me?””
“No, Michael. I'm offering you an opportunity to hear the facts before you do something you can't undo.””
“Then tell me the facts.””
He a misunderstanding.””
“What kind of misunderstanding?””
“The sort that can be resolved before anyone makes an expensive mistake.””
I felt my jaw tighten.
“Are you threatening me?””
“No, Michael. I'm offering you an opportunity to hear the facts before you do something you can't undo.””
“Then tell me the facts.””
He exhaled impatiently.
“Not over the phone. Meet me tomorrow morning. Nine o'clock. My office.””
“I'll speak with my attorney first.””
A pause followed.
Then Richard said something that made my blood run cold.
“Ask your attorney what happened to exhaled impatiently.
“Not over the phone. Meet me tomorrow morning. Nine o'clock. My office.””
“I'll speak with my attorney first.””
A pause followed.
Then Richard said something that made my blood run cold.
“Ask your attorney what happened to the last man who refused to help Vanessa when she needed him.””
The line went dead.
For several seconds, I sat motionless.
Ethan looked at me.
“What did he say?””
I told him.
My the last man who refused to help Vanessa when she needed him.””
The line went dead.
For several seconds, I sat motionless.
Ethan looked at me.
“What did he say?””
I told him.
My son went pale.
Then he opened his phone and showed me a message Jessica had sent him just minutes earlier.
Dad needs to know the truth about Richard's first marriage. He didn't just lose money. Someone accused him of stealing it.
I stared at the message.
The past had followed Vanessa into my house.
And tomorrow morning, I was going to discover how much of it she had son went pale.
Then he opened his phone and showed me a message Jessica had sent him just minutes earlier.
Dad needs to know the truth about Richard's first marriage. He didn't just lose money. Someone accused him of stealing it.
I stared at the message.
May you like
The past had followed Vanessa into my house.
And tomorrow morning, I was going to discover how much of it she had brought with her.
