Chapter 8: What She Took From the## Chapter 8: What She Took From the Bag
"Mom took Bag
"Mom took Nia's bank security key.""
Cam Nia's bank security key.""
Camille's whisper seemed to echo through the room long after she stoppedille's whisper seemed to echo through the room long after she stopped speaking.
Darius stood beside the guest-room window, staring at the dark street outside Marcus's house.
"What security key?""
"The little black device you speaking.
Darius stood beside the guest-room window, staring at the dark street outside Marcus's house.
"What security key?""
"The little black device you used for the bank. The one that generates a code when you press the button.""
Darius's stomach tightened.
He had kept a small authentication device in the zipped pocket of his work bag for years. His bank used for the bank. The one that generates a code when you press the button.""
Darius's stomach tightened.
He had kept a small authentication device in the zipped pocket of his work bag for years. His bank required additional verification for certain transfers, especially large transactions involving external accounts.
He hadn't used the device in months because he had switched most of his banking to his phone.
But Nia had once borrowed it to help him complete required additional verification for certain transfers, especially large transactions involving external accounts.
He hadn't used the device in months because he had switched most of his banking to his phone.
But Nia had once borrowed it to help him complete some paperwork when his phone was charging upstairs.
"Where did Mom get it?"" he asked.
"From Nia's bag. I saw her take it.""
"When?""
"Before the fight.""
Darius looked toward some paperwork when his phone was charging upstairs.
"Where did Mom get it?"" he asked.
"From Nia's bag. I saw her take it.""
"When?""
"Before the fight.""
Darius looked toward the bedroom, where Nia was resting with the twins.
"Camille, I need you to tell the police exactly what you saw.""
"I will. But the bedroom, where Nia was resting with the twins.
"Camille, I need you to tell the police exactly what you saw.""
"I will. But there's more.""
He rubbed his forehead.
"Of course there is.""
Camille let out a shaky breath.
"Mom was talking to someone on the phone before N there's more.""
He rubbed his forehead.
"Of course there is.""
Camille let out a shaky breath.
"Mom was talking to someone on the phone before Nia went into the nursery. She said the transfer had gone through, but the trust account was going to be reviewed. She said she needed to get the authorizationia went into the nursery.
She said the transfer had gone through, but the trust account was going to be reviewed. She said she needed to get the authorization signed before anyone started asking questions.""
Darius felt a chill move down his spine.
"Who was she talking to?""
"I couldn't hear the other person.""
"Did she mention signed before anyone started asking questions.""
Darius felt a chill move down his spine.
"Who was she talking to?""
"I couldn't hear the other person.""
"Did she mention a name?""
"No. But she said something about the bank flagging a transaction.""
Darius thought about the $85,000 transfer.
He had assumed a name?""
"No. But she said something about the bank flagging a transaction.""
Darius thought about the $85,000 transfer.
He had assumed the money had been moved four months earlier and forgotten. Now he wondered whether his mother had been worried that the transfer would be discovered.
"Did she say anything about Nia the money had been moved four months earlier and forgotten. Now he wondered whether his mother had been worried that the transfer would be discovered.
"Did she say anything about Nia?""
"She said Nia had started asking questions about the family accounts. She said she couldn't let her talk to you before the paperwork was signed.""
Darius gripped the phone.
"Nia never?""
"She said Nia had started asking questions about the family accounts. She said she couldn't let her talk to you before the paperwork was signed.""
Darius gripped the phone.
"Nia never told me she was asking questions about the trust.""
"Maybe she didn't know about it until recently.""
He looked toward his wife.
That was possible.
But he remembered Nia mentioning that Evelyn had become told me she was asking questions about the trust.""
"Maybe she didn't know about it until recently.""
He looked toward his wife.
That was possible.
But he remembered Nia mentioning that Evelyn had become unusually interested in their financial documents during the last month of her pregnancy. At the time, he had dismissed it as another example of his mother's need to organize everything.
Now the memory felt unusually interested in their financial documents during the last month of her pregnancy. At the time, he had dismissed it as another example of his mother's need to organize everything.
Now the memory felt different.
"Where's the video?"" he asked.
"I copied it to a flash drive. I'm not touching anything else.""
"Good. Give the detective the drive and different.
"Where's the video?"" he asked.
"I copied it to a flash drive. I'm not touching anything else.""
"Good. Give the detective the drive and tell him where you found it. Don't send copies around.""
Camille went quiet.
Then she asked, "Do you think Nia will ever forgive tell him where you found it. Don't send copies around.""
Camille went quiet.
Then she asked, "Do you think Nia will ever forgive me?""
Darius watched rainwater slide down the glass.
"That's something you need to ask her when she's ready. You can't me?""
Darius watched rainwater slide down the glass.
"That's something you need to ask her when she's ready. You can't demand forgiveness because you're finally telling the truth.""
"I know.""
"Do you?""
His sister began crying again.
"I know I should have stopped her.""
Darius closed his eyes.
"Yes, you should have.""
He hated how demand forgiveness because you're finally telling the truth.""
"I know.""
"Do you?""
His sister began crying again.
"I know I should have stopped her.""
Darius closed his eyes.
"Yes, you should have.""
He hated how cruel the words sounded. He hated even more that they were true.
When he ended the call, he returned to the guest room.
Nia was awake, holding Lila against her chest cruel the words sounded. He hated even more that they were true.
When he ended the call, he returned to the guest room.
Nia was awake, holding Lila against her chest. Micah slept in the bassinet, one tiny fist resting beside his cheek.
She looked up at Darius.
"What did Camille say?""
He sat beside her and explained everything.
When he mentioned the security key. Micah slept in the bassinet, one tiny fist resting beside his cheek.
She looked up at Darius.
"What did Camille say?""
He sat beside her and explained everything.
When he mentioned the security key, Nia's face went pale.
"I thought I'd lost it.""
"You had it in your bag?""
"Yes. I kept it there because I was going to help you organize the bank documents., Nia's face went pale.
"I thought I'd lost it.""
"You had it in your bag?""
"Yes. I kept it there because I was going to help you organize the bank documents. I couldn't find it afterward, and your mother told me I must have misplaced it.""
Darius stared at her.
"She told you that?""
Nia nodded.
"She said I was I couldn't find it afterward, and your mother told me I must have misplaced it.""
Darius stared at her.
"She told you that?""
Nia nodded.
"She said I was forgetful because I was exhausted. She even helped me search the bedroom.""
For several seconds, Darius couldn't speak.
His mother had not merely taken the device.
She had used Nia's exhaustion to make her doubt her own memory.
"What else did she take?"" he asked.
Nia looked toward the twins.
"I forgetful because I was exhausted. She even helped me search the bedroom.""
For several seconds, Darius couldn't speak.
His mother had not merely taken the device.
She had used Nia's exhaustion to make her doubt her own memory.
"What else did she take?"" he asked.
Nia looked toward the twins.
"I don't know.""
She swallowed.
"But there was a folder in my bag. A blue one.""
"What was in it?""
"Copies of the trust paperwork your father don't know.""
She swallowed.
"But there was a folder in my bag. A blue one.""
"What was in it?""
"Copies of the trust paperwork your father sent us after the babies were born.""
Darius frowned.
"Your father sent us paperwork?""
"Not your father. His attorney.""
He stared at her.
"Martin Hale?""
Nia nodded.
"Three weeks ago, a letter arrived addressed sent us after the babies were born.""
Darius frowned.
"Your father sent us paperwork?""
"Not your father. His attorney.""
He stared at her.
"Martin Hale?""
Nia nodded.
"Three weeks ago, a letter arrived addressed to both of us. Your mother brought it upstairs before I could open it. She said it was an old insurance to both of us.
Your mother brought it upstairs before I could open it. She said it was an old insurance notice and that she'd put it with the other documents.""
Darius felt the room grow cold.
"Did you ever see the letter again?""
"No.""
He took out his phone and called Martin Hale.
The attorney answered after two rings.
"Mr notice and that she'd put it with the other documents.""
Darius felt the room grow cold.
"Did you ever see the letter again?""
"No.""
He took out his phone and called Martin Hale.
The attorney answered after two rings.
"Mr. Brooks?""
"We need to talk about the trust letter you sent three weeks ago.""
There was a pause.
"Did you receive it?""
"We received something. My mother-in-law handled it. Brooks?""
"We need to talk about the trust letter you sent three weeks ago.""
There was a pause.
"Did you receive it?""
"We received something. My mother-in-law handled it before we could open it.""
Martin exhaled.
"That is concerning. I sent a letter to inform you that a review of the trust accounts had been initiated. There were discrepancies in the records.""
Darius sat forward before we could open it.""
Martin exhaled.
"That is concerning. I sent a letter to inform you that a review of the trust accounts had been initiated. There were discrepancies in the records.""
Darius sat forward.
"What kind of discrepancies?""
"Unexplained withdrawals and transfers. I requested an accounting from your mother as trustee.""
Nia covered her mouth.
"Did you mention the.
"What kind of discrepancies?""
"Unexplained withdrawals and transfers. I requested an accounting from your mother as trustee.""
Nia covered her mouth.
"Did you mention the $85,000?"" Darius asked.
"Not in the initial letter. We were still verifying the transaction records.""
Darius looked at Nia $85,000?"" Darius asked.
"Not in the initial letter. We were still verifying the transaction records.""
Darius looked at Nia.
She was staring at him with wide eyes.
"Did my mother know about the review?"" he asked.
"She was notified separately in her capacity as trustee.
She was staring at him with wide eyes.
"Did my mother know about the review?"" he asked.
"She was notified separately in her capacity as trustee.""
"Did she respond?""
"She acknowledged the request and said she was gathering the documents.""
Darius felt a terrible certainty.""
"Did she respond?""
"She acknowledged the request and said she was gathering the documents.""
Darius felt a terrible certainty settling over him.
His mother had known the trust was under scrutiny.
She had known money was missing.
And shortly afterward, she had begun documenting Nia's behavior, preparing a settling over him.
His mother had known the trust was under scrutiny.
She had known money was missing.
And shortly afterward, she had begun documenting Nia's behavior, preparing a caregiver authorization, and threatening to take the twins.
"Martin," he said, "did my mother have authority to transfer money from our joint account into her caregiver authorization, and threatening to take the twins.
"Martin," he said, "did my mother have authority to transfer money from our joint account into her own?""
"No. Not merely because she was the trustee of your father's trust.""
"What if she claimed the money was a contribution to the children's trust?""
"That would not automatically make the transaction own?""
"No. Not merely because she was the trustee of your father's trust.""
"What if she claimed the money was a contribution to the children's trust?""
"That would not automatically make the transaction legitimate. We would need to establish who authorized it and the legal basis for the transfer.""
Darius thanked him and ended the call.
Nia's legitimate. We would need to establish who authorized it and the legal basis for the transfer.""
Darius thanked him and ended the call.
Nia's eyes were wet.
"She was trying to make me sign that document before the review happened.""
"That's what it looks like.""
"She wanted eyes were wet.
"She was trying to make me sign that document before the review happened.""
"That's what it looks like.""
"She wanted me to appear unstable so nobody would believe me if I said she'd taken the money.""
Darius looked at her.
"I think me to appear unstable so nobody would believe me if I said she'd taken the money.""
Darius looked at her.
"I think she was afraid you'd expose her.""
Nia shook her head slowly.
"I didn't even know what she'd done.""
"Maybe she was afraid you'd expose her.""
Nia shook her head slowly.
"I didn't even know what she'd done.""
"Maybe she didn't know what you might discover. Maybe she was afraid you'd find out by accident.""
He hated the uncertainty.
But for she didn't know what you might discover. Maybe she was afraid you'd find out by accident.""
He hated the uncertainty.
But for the first time, the pieces were beginning to form a coherent picture.
His mother had access to their household documents. She knew the banking system. She had taken a the first time, the pieces were beginning to form a coherent picture.
His mother had access to their household documents. She knew the banking system. She had taken a security device and, according to Camille, used it before the assault.
She had also prepared a false narrative about Nia's mental state.
If investigators security device and, according to Camille, used it before the assault.
She had also prepared a false narrative about Nia's mental state.
If investigators established that the transfer was unauthorized, the money might be recoverable. The trust's accounting could reveal whether other assets had disappeared.
But none of that explained the violence entirely.
Darius returned to established that the transfer was unauthorized, the money might be recoverable. The trust's accounting could reveal whether other assets had disappeared.
But none of that explained the violence entirely.
Darius returned to the guest room chair and sat beside his wife.
"We'll find out what happened," he said.
Nia looked at him.
"And if the truth is worse than we think?""
He took her hand.
"Then we'll face it.""
The following the guest room chair and sat beside his wife.
"We'll find out what happened," he said.
Nia looked at him.
"And if the truth is worse than we think?""
He took her hand.
"Then we'll face it.""
The following morning, Detective Harris arrived at Marcus's house with an evidence technician.
Camille had already met with investigators morning, Detective Harris arrived at Marcus's house with an evidence technician.
Camille had already met with investigators and provided the flash drive. The technician explained that the recording would need to be authenticated and examined alongside any original files available from the nursery system.
Detective Harris sat at and provided the flash drive. The technician explained that the recording would need to be authenticated and examined alongside any original files available from the nursery system.
Detective Harris sat at the dining table with Darius and Nia.
"Your sister has given us an account of what she witnessed," he said.
"We will need to corroborate it. She also described your mother the dining table with Darius and Nia.
"Your sister has given us an account of what she witnessed," he said.
"We will need to corroborate it. She also described your mother removing a device from Nia's bag before the confrontation.""
Nia nodded.
"That device was mine.""
"We'll document that.""
Darius asked about removing a device from Nia's bag before the confrontation.""
Nia nodded.
"That device was mine.""
"We'll document that.""
Darius asked about the transfer.
"We've referred the financial records to the appropriate investigators. The bank has opened a fraud inquiry, and the trust attorney is reviewing the estate documents the transfer.
"We've referred the financial records to the appropriate investigators. The bank has opened a fraud inquiry, and the trust attorney is reviewing the estate documents.""
"Can we see the full video?""
"Not until the digital team has examined it and determined what can be released. We don't want to compromise.""
"Can we see the full video?""
"Not until the digital team has examined it and determined what can be released. We don't want to compromise the evidence.""
Nia looked down at her splinted wrist.
"Does Camille know what the video shows?""
"She says she saw only part of it before your mother took the tablet the evidence.""
Nia looked down at her splinted wrist.
"Does Camille know what the video shows?""
"She says she saw only part of it before your mother took the tablet away. She has agreed to cooperate.""
Darius rubbed his jaw.
"Why did she wait so long?""
Detective Harris considered the away. She has agreed to cooperate.""
Darius rubbed his jaw.
"Why did she wait so long?""
Detective Harris considered the question.
"People sometimes delay reporting what they witnessed for many reasons, including fear, family pressure, or concern about their own involvement. We'll ask question.
"People sometimes delay reporting what they witnessed for many reasons, including fear, family pressure, or concern about their own involvement. We'll ask her about that directly.""
After the detective left, N her about that directly.""
After the detective left, Nia sat quietly for a long time.
Then she said, "I don't want Camille coming here.""
Darius nodded.
"She won't.""
"Not until I decide I'm ready.""
"That's your choice.""
Nia studied his face.
"You really mean that?""
ia sat quietly for a long time.
Then she said, "I don't want Camille coming here.""
Darius nodded.
"She won't.""
"Not until I decide I'm ready.""
"That's your choice.""
Nia studied his face.
"You really mean that?""
"Yes.""
She looked away.
"I don't know how to trust people right now.""
Darius felt the truth of that more deeply than he could explain.
"I know I gave you reasons not to trust me.""
"You didn't hit me.""
"No. But I ignored you"Yes.""
She looked away.
"I don't know how to trust people right now.""
Darius felt the truth of that more deeply than he could explain.
"I know I gave you reasons not to trust me.""
"You didn't hit me.""
"No. But I ignored you when you told me something was wrong.""
He moved his chair closer.
"I can't change that. I can only stop doing it.""
Nia's eyes filled.
"I want to believe you.""
He when you told me something was wrong.""
He moved his chair closer.
"I can't change that. I can only stop doing it.""
Nia's eyes filled.
"I want to believe you.""
He didn't tell her she should.
He simply stayed beside her while Lila slept against her chest.
That didn't tell her she should.
He simply stayed beside her while Lila slept against her chest.
That afternoon, Detective Harris called again.
The digital team had identified a longer recording associated with the nursery camera. It appeared to contain footage from before, during, and after the confrontation.
The investigators were still examining its integrity, but one detail had already emerged afternoon, Detective Harris called again.
The digital team had identified a longer recording associated with the nursery camera. It appeared to contain footage from before, during, and after the confrontation.
The investigators were still examining its integrity, but one detail had already emerged.
The file showed Evelyn entering the nursery alone several minutes before Nia arrived.
She carried a small black device.
Darius's.
The file showed Evelyn entering the nursery alone several minutes before Nia arrived.
She carried a small black device.
Darius's security key.
The detective explained that investigators were checking whether the video could establish how the key had been used, but the recording alone did not prove that Evelyn had initiated the disputed bank transfer security key.
The detective explained that investigators were checking whether the video could establish how the key had been used, but the recording alone did not prove that Evelyn had initiated the disputed bank transfer.
Still, the timing was significant.
Darius thanked him and sat down heavily.
Nia was watching him from the bed.
"What did they find?""
He told her.
She closed her eyes.
"She planned it.
Still, the timing was significant.
Darius thanked him and sat down heavily.
Nia was watching him from the bed.
"What did they find?""
He told her.
She closed her eyes.
"She planned it.""
"We don't know everything yet.""
Nia opened her eyes again.
"She took the key before she hurt me. She took the letter before I could read it. She wanted me to sign a document.""
"We don't know everything yet.""
Nia opened her eyes again.
"She took the key before she hurt me. She took the letter before I could read it. She wanted me to sign a document saying she could control our children.""
Her voice trembled.
"What else do we need to know?""
Darius had no answer.
He wanted to tell her that the evidence would speak saying she could control our children.""
Her voice trembled.
"What else do we need to know?""
Darius had no answer.
He wanted to tell her that the evidence would speak for itself, that the truth would inevitably win, that nobody could keep lying forever.
But he had worked in banking long enough to know that records could for itself, that the truth would inevitably win, that nobody could keep lying forever.
But he had worked in banking long enough to know that records could be incomplete, people could misinterpret evidence, and money could disappear through transactions that looked perfectly ordinary.
He also knew his mother had spent years building a reputation that would make people hesitate before believing the be incomplete, people could misinterpret evidence, and money could disappear through transactions that looked perfectly ordinary.
He also knew his mother had spent years building a reputation that would make people hesitate before believing the worst about her.
The next call came from Martin Hale.
"I've reviewed the trust documents," the attorney said.
"There is an issue more serious than the initial discrepancy.""
Darius sat upright worst about her.
The next call came from Martin Hale.
"I've reviewed the trust documents," the attorney said.
"There is an issue more serious than the initial discrepancy.""
Darius sat upright.
"What issue?""
"The trust's beneficiary provisions were altered in a document submitted several months ago. The alteration appears to have removed certain.
"What issue?""
"The trust's beneficiary provisions were altered in a document submitted several months ago. The alteration appears to have removed certain protections for the grandchildren.""
Darius's mouth went dry.
"Who submitted it?""
"Your mother.""
Nia slowly lowered Lila into protections for the grandchildren.""
Darius's mouth went dry.
"Who submitted it?""
"Your mother.""
Nia slowly lowered Lila into the bassinet.
Martin continued.
"I cannot yet determine whether the alteration was legally effective. We need to examine the original will, the trust instrument, and the submitted amendment.""
"Could she have done the bassinet.
Martin continued.
"I cannot yet determine whether the alteration was legally effective. We need to examine the original will, the trust instrument, and the submitted amendment.""
"Could she have done this without my father's consent?""
"Your father died before the amendment was submitted. Whether the change was legally permissible is precisely what we're investigating.""
Darius looked at Nia.
"Did she have this without my father's consent?""
"Your father died before the amendment was submitted. Whether the change was legally permissible is precisely what we're investigating.""
Darius looked at Nia.
"Did she have the authority to change the trust?""
"That depends on the original terms and applicable law. I don't want to speculate before reviewing the full record.""
Darius thanked him.
When the call ended, he sat motionless.
His mother the authority to change the trust?""
"That depends on the original terms and applicable law. I don't want to speculate before reviewing the full record.""
Darius thanked him.
When the call ended, he sat motionless.
His mother had allegedly taken money from their joint account, possibly used a security device to facilitate a transfer, and attempted to gain control over his children.
Now there was a disputed alteration to the trust their grandfather had established for them had allegedly taken money from their joint account, possibly used a security device to facilitate a transfer, and attempted to gain control over his children.
Now there was a disputed alteration to the trust their grandfather had established for them.
It was no longer a matter of family resentment.
It was a question of whether Evelyn had used her position to divert assets and undermine the protections Robert Brooks had intended for his descendants.
.
It was no longer a matter of family resentment.
It was a question of whether Evelyn had used her position to divert assets and undermine the protections Robert Brooks had intended for his descendants.
That evening, Darius went into the kitchen to make a bottle.
His phone buzzed on the counter.
An email had arrived from anThat evening, Darius went into the kitchen to make a bottle.
His phone buzzed on the counter.
An email had arrived from an address he didn't recognize.
The subject line read:
*Your Father Left You More Than Money.*
The message contained a single attachment.
A scanned letter address he didn't recognize.
The subject line read:
*Your Father Left You More Than Money.*
The message contained a single attachment.
A scanned letter, dated two months before Robert's death.
Darius opened it.
The handwriting was unmistakably his father's.
*Darius, if you're reading this, something may have gone wrong with the arrangements I've made for the, dated two months before Robert's death.
Darius opened it.
The handwriting was unmistakably his father's.
Darius, if you're reading this, something may have gone wrong with the arrangements I've made for the family.
He stopped breathing for a moment.
The letter continued.
I have asked Martin to ensure that the children are protected, regardless family.
He stopped breathing for a moment.
The letter continued.
I have asked Martin to ensure that the children are protected, regardless of who controls the accounts. Your mother believes she understands my intentions, but there are things she does not know.
Darius read the final paragraph.
If anyone attempts to change the trust or remove the children's protections of who controls the accounts. Your mother believes she understands my intentions, but there are things she does not know.
Darius read the final paragraph.
If anyone attempts to change the trust or remove the children's protections, ask Martin for the sealed statement I left with him. It explains why I chose the trustee I did.
At the bottom of the page was his father's signature.
And beside it, ask Martin for the sealed statement I left with him. It explains why I chose the trustee I did.*
At the bottom of the page was his father's signature.
May you like
And beside it, in a different handwriting, someone had written a single sentence.
*The original trustee was never Evelyn Brooks.*
