Chapter 8: The Money Was Never for Our Family
My attorney, Daniel Brooks, arrived at my house on Monday morning.
He had spent the weekend reviewing the documents I sent him.
He placed a thick folder on the dining table.
"Marcus, before we discuss anything else, I want you to understand that we're going to separate facts from suspicions.""
I nodded.
"Understood.""
He opened the folder.
"First, the insurance policy.""
He showed me a copy of Angela's original beneficiary designation.
Malik's name appeared clearly.
But there was something else.
A trust had been established for him.
I frowned.
"I don't remember this.""
Daniel pointed to the signature.
"Angela created it through an estate attorney. You were named trustee.""
I stared at the page.
"Why wasn't I told?""
"You were supposed to receive a copy.""
He turned another page.
"This document shows the policy proceeds were supposed to be deposited into the trust, not your general household account.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"Then how did the money end up in my account?""
Daniel looked at me.
"That's what we need to investigate.""
He showed me the original claim payment.
The insurance company had issued the check to the trust.
But the deposit record showed that the money had been transferred into an account that Denise later gained access to.
I leaned forward.
"How?""
Daniel pointed to a signature on the authorization form.
It looked like mine.
But it wasn't.
I stared at it.
"That's not my signature.""
He nodded.
"I suspected that.""
"Are you saying someone forged my signature?""
"We need a handwriting examination before making that allegation formally.""
I rubbed my face.
"How much of Malik's money is missing?""
Daniel opened another document.
"Approximately $82,000 has been transferred from the original funds and associated accounts over several years. Some of it may have been used for legitimate household expenses. The rest needs to be traced.""
I felt sick.
"Eighty-two thousand?""
"That's the preliminary figure.""
I stood and walked toward the window.
I thought about Malik's school expenses.
His college savings.
The money Angela had worked so hard to leave him.
And I thought about Denise telling him he was eating too much.
She had been restricting food while transferring money that belonged to him.
Daniel closed the folder.
"Marcus, we need to secure the remaining assets immediately.""
I nodded.
"What else?""
He hesitated.
"There's another issue.""
"What?""
"Your wife has been using the household account to make payments to a business.""
I turned.
"What business?""
He showed me the name.
It was a small property management company registered in another state.
The registered owner was Denise's older sister, Monica.
I recognized the name.
"Why would Denise be paying her sister's business?""
Daniel opened another page.
"Because the company appears to have purchased a property six months ago.""
"With my money?""
"Some of the payments originated from the household account.""
I sat down.
"How much?""
"At least $24,000.""
I stared at the paperwork.
"Where is the property?""
Daniel pointed to the address.
It was a small rental house in a neighboring state.
I looked at him.
"Can she do that without my permission?""
"That depends on the account ownership and the source of the funds. But we have enough concerns to request a full financial accounting.""
I nodded.
"Do it.""
After Daniel left, I called Denise.
She answered immediately.
"What now?""
"We need to discuss the money.""
She laughed.
"You're still obsessed with that?""
"Daniel has reviewed the accounts.""
Silence.
Then she said, "You hired a lawyer?""
"Yes.""
"Against your wife?""
"Against anyone who has taken money from Malik.""
Her voice hardened.
"That money was used for this family.""
"Then show me the receipts.""
"I don't have to explain every purchase.""
"You will explain the property payment.""
There was a pause.
Then Denise said, "You have no idea what you're doing.""
"Maybe. But I know the money wasn't yours.""
She ended the call.
That evening, Jordan came to my mother's house.
He stood at the front door holding a backpack.
Evelyn opened it.
"Jordan?""
He looked nervous.
"Is Malik here?""
She nodded.
"Come in.""
I was sitting in the living room with Malik.
When Jordan entered, my son immediately stood.
"Hey.""
Jordan looked down.
"Hey.""
For a few seconds, neither moved.
Then Jordan said, "Can we talk?""
Malik nodded.
They went into the backyard.
I stayed inside with my mother.
Through the window, I watched them sit on the porch steps.
Jordan was speaking.
Malik was listening.
At one point, Jordan covered his face with both hands.
Then Malik reached over and touched his shoulder.
I looked away.
Some conversations belonged to them.
Ten minutes later, they returned.
Jordan looked at me.
"Marcus, can I tell you something?""
"Of course.""
He sat on the couch.
"Mom has been telling us that Malik was going to inherit all your money.""
I frowned.
"All my money?""
"She said Angela left him money, and you were planning to give him the house too.""
I shook my head.
"That's not true.""
"She said you were going to leave Brianna and me with nothing.""
I looked at Jordan.
"Did she tell you that before or after she started treating Malik differently?""
He hesitated.
"Before.""
My chest tightened.
"What else did she say?""
Jordan looked toward Malik.
"She told us that if we wanted to keep our place in the family, we needed to stop letting Malik control everything.""
Malik stared at the floor.
Jordan continued.
"She also told me to keep an eye on his room.""
I frowned.
"Why?""
"She said he might hide money or documents.""
I felt a chill.
"Did you?""
Jordan nodded.
"Once.""
Malik looked up.
"What?""
Jordan swallowed.
"I looked through your desk when Mom asked me to.""
My son stared at him.
"Why?""
"She said she was looking for the insurance papers.""
I felt anger rising, but Jordan looked genuinely ashamed.
"I didn't know she was going to use them against you," he whispered.
Malik remained silent.
Then Jordan reached into his backpack.
He pulled out a small black notebook.
"Mom kept this in her bedroom.""
I took it.
"What is it?""
"Her notes.""
I opened the notebook.
The first pages contained household expenses.
Then I found a list of names.
Monica.
Denise.
Jordan.
And beside Jordan's name was a figure.
$8,000.
I looked up.
"What's this?""
Jordan shook his head.
"I don't know.""
I continued reading.
A few pages later, I found a heading.
Malik — Trust.
Underneath were several entries.
Dates.
Amounts.
Transfer references.
And one sentence written in Denise's handwriting:
Keep him from asking about the money until he turns eighteen.
I stared at the words.
Then I found another entry.
Marcus must never see the original beneficiary documents.
My heart started pounding.
I flipped to the final page.
There was a name I hadn't seen before.
A lawyer.
And beside it, a handwritten note:
Prepare guardianship papers. If Marcus refuses, use the medical records.
I looked at Jordan.
"What medical records?""
He shook his head.
"I don't know.""
Malik stood.
"What does that mean?""
I quickly closed the notebook.
"It means we're going to find out.""
Then my phone rang.
It was Daniel.
I answered.
"Marcus, I need you to come to my office tomorrow morning.""
"What happened?""
He paused.
"We received a document from the court.""
"What document?""
"An application concerning Malik's guardianship.""
My stomach dropped.
"Who filed it?""
May you like
Daniel's voice became very serious.
"Your wife.""
