Chapter 8: The Man## Chapter 8: The Man Behind the Money Behind the Money
My father read the page twice.
Then he looked up at
My father read the page twice.
Then he looked up at Richard Cole.
“You expect me to believe that you came to my house at midnight to confess to a financial crime?””
Richard didn't Richard Cole.
“You expect me to believe that you came to my house at midnight to confess to a financial crime?””
Richard didn't flinch.
“No. I came because I believe you're about to discover that your wife was being used by someone who understood your family's flinch.
“No. I came because I believe you're about to discover that your wife was being used by someone who understood your family's finances far better than she did.””
“Then start talking.””
Richard glanced at the open doorway.
“ finances far better than she did.””
“Then start talking.””
Richard glanced at the open doorway.
“May I come inside?””
“No,” my father replied.
Richard nodded once.
“Fair enough.””
He placed a business card on the hallwayMay I come inside?””
“No,” my father replied.
Richard nodded once.
“Fair enough.””
He placed a business card on the hallway table.
“My office is on the eighteenth floor of the Harrington Building. Your attorney can contact me there tomorrow table.
“My office is on the eighteenth floor of the Harrington Building. Your attorney can contact me there tomorrow morning. I'll provide the relevant records.””
My father picked up the card but didn't take his eyes off morning. I'll provide the relevant records.””
My father picked up the card but didn't take his eyes off him.
“You have five minutes. Explain why my daughter's inheritance was transferred into your company's account.””
Richard looked at me.
“I'd prefer to discuss the him.
“You have five minutes. Explain why my daughter's inheritance was transferred into your company's account.””
Richard looked at me.
“I'd prefer to discuss the details with your attorney present.””
“Then why are you here?”” I demanded.
He studied me for a moment.
“Because someone contacted me details with your attorney present.””
“Then why are you here?”” I demanded.
He studied me for a moment.
“Because someone contacted me this evening and told me to destroy the records connecting Vanessa to the account.””
My father went still.
“Who?””
Richard hesitated.
this evening and told me to destroy the records connecting Vanessa to the account.””
My father went still.
“Who?””
Richard hesitated.
“I don't know the person's real identity. The message came through an encrypted email account.””
“Show me.””
“I don't know the person's real identity. The message came through an encrypted email account.””
“Show me.””
Richard opened his phone and displayed a screenshot.
The message contained only three lines.
The Millers have discovered the transfer.
*DeleteRichard opened his phone and displayed a screenshot.
The message contained only three lines.
The Millers have discovered the transfer.
Delete the original trust documents.
Make sure Vanessa takes the blame.
My stomach twisted the original trust documents.*
Make sure Vanessa takes the blame.
My stomach twisted.
“Someone wants her to take the blame?”” I asked.
Richard nodded.
“Yes.””
“Who would do that?””
“Someone who has.
“Someone wants her to take the blame?”” I asked.
Richard nodded.
“Yes.””
“Who would do that?””
“Someone who has more to lose than Vanessa does.””
My father took a step toward him.
“Stop speaking in riddles. You have my daughter's money more to lose than Vanessa does.””
My father took a step toward him.
“Stop speaking in riddles. You have my daughter's money. You have a company involved in a fraudulent property application. And now you want me to believe you're the victim?””
“I'm not asking you to believe anything. I'm telling you what the. You have a company involved in a fraudulent property application. And now you want me to believe you're the victim?””
“I'm not asking you to believe anything. I'm telling you what the records will show.””
“Then show them.””
Richard looked down at the sealed envelope.
“The account receiving records will show.””
“Then show them.””
Richard looked down at the sealed envelope.
“The account receiving the money belongs to Cole Financial Holdings. But I don't have sole control over that the money belongs to Cole Financial Holdings. But I don't have sole control over that account.””
My father frowned.
“What does that mean?””
“It means my company was used as an intermediary. account.””
My father frowned.
“What does that mean?””
“It means my company was used as an intermediary. Transfers arrived from a private trust account, were divided into smaller amounts, and then moved to Transfers arrived from a private trust account, were divided into smaller amounts, and then moved to another financial institution.””
“Who authorized them?””
Richard's jaw tightened.
“That is what I'm trying to establish.””
I laughed another financial institution.””
“Who authorized them?””
Richard's jaw tightened.
“That is what I'm trying to establish.””
I laughed bitterly.
“You expect us to believe you don't know where the money went?””
“No,” Richard replied.
“ bitterly.
“You expect us to believe you don't know where the money went?””
“No,” Richard replied.
“I expect you to be angry. You have every right to be.””
His calmness unsettled me more than a defensive answer would have.
HeI expect you to be angry. You have every right to be.””
His calmness unsettled me more than a defensive answer would have.
He wasn't behaving like someone who had come to bargain.
He looked like someone who hadn't slept in wasn't behaving like someone who had come to bargain.
He looked like someone who hadn't slept in days.
My father glanced at his watch.
“Your five minutes are almost over.””
Richard nodded.
“There's one more thing. Vanessa days.
My father glanced at his watch.
“Your five minutes are almost over.””
Richard nodded.
“There's one more thing. Vanessa wasn't the first person who approached me about your daughter's trust.””
The hallway seemed to shrink around us.
“Who wasn't the first person who approached me about your daughter's trust.””
The hallway seemed to shrink around us.
“Who was?”” I asked.
Richard looked at my father.
“Someone who knew your late wife's financial arrangements before was?”” I asked.
Richard looked at my father.
“Someone who knew your late wife's financial arrangements before Vanessa entered your life.””
My father gripped the edge of the table.
“Who?””
Richard reached into his case and removed another document.
“This Vanessa entered your life.””
My father gripped the edge of the table.
“Who?””
Richard reached into his case and removed another document.
“This is a copy of the original instruction I received. It was sent to my office four months before your wedding.””
My father is a copy of the original instruction I received. It was sent to my office four months before your wedding.””
My father took it.
The document contained a short request to establish a financial channel capable of receiving distributions from a protected family trust. It referred took it.
The document contained a short request to establish a financial channel capable of receiving distributions from a protected family trust. It referred to the trust by its full legal name and included my mother's date of death.
At to the trust by its full legal name and included my mother's date of death.
At the bottom was a name.
*Michael Turner.*
My father's face changed.
I had the bottom was a name.
*Michael Turner.*
My father's face changed.
I had heard that name before.
Michael was my mother's younger brother.
My uncle.
The man who had carried me heard that name before.
Michael was my mother's younger brother.
My uncle.
The man who had carried me on his shoulders at the beach when I was little. The man who had brought flowers to my mother's hospital room and promised he would always look on his shoulders at the beach when I was little. The man who had brought flowers to my mother's hospital room and promised he would always look after me.
After my mother died, he'd visited less frequently. Eventually, he moved out of state, explaining that his after me.
After my mother died, he'd visited less frequently. Eventually, he moved out of state, explaining that his new job made travel difficult.
I hadn't seen him in almost three years.
“Uncle Michael?”” I whispered.
new job made travel difficult.
I hadn't seen him in almost three years.
“Uncle Michael?”” I whispered.
My father lowered the page.
“No.””
Richard looked between us.
“You recognize the name?””
My fatherMy father lowered the page.
“No.””
Richard looked between us.
“You recognize the name?””
My father nodded slowly.
“He's my late wife's brother.””
Richard closed his eyes briefly.
“Then that explains why the instructions were so nodded slowly.
“He's my late wife's brother.””
Richard closed his eyes briefly.
“Then that explains why the instructions were so specific.””
I stared at him.
“Are you saying my uncle planned to take my inheritance?””
“I'm saying specific.””
I stared at him.
“Are you saying my uncle planned to take my inheritance?””
“I'm saying his name appears on the first set of instructions that led to the account where the money was eventually deposited.””
My father shook his head.
“ his name appears on the first set of instructions that led to the account where the money was eventually deposited.””
My father shook his head.
“Michael wouldn't do that.””
The words came out automatically.
Like a defense he'd been waitingMichael wouldn't do that.””
The words came out automatically.
Like a defense he'd been waiting to make.
I wanted to agree with him.
I remembered my uncle sitting beside me at my mother's funeral, holding to make.
I wanted to agree with him.
I remembered my uncle sitting beside me at my mother's funeral, holding my hand while I cried. I remembered him telling me that my mother would always be part of my life, even when I couldn't see her my hand while I cried. I remembered him telling me that my mother would always be part of my life, even when I couldn't see her.
But I also remembered how quickly he'd disappeared after the funeral.
.
But I also remembered how quickly he'd disappeared after the funeral.
How he'd stopped answering my messages.
How Vanessa had once told me that he didn't want to be involved with our family anymore.
How he'd stopped answering my messages.
How Vanessa had once told me that he didn't want to be involved with our family anymore.
I'd believed her.
Now I wondered whether she'd known something I hadn't.
My father looked at Richard.
“Do you haveI'd believed her.
Now I wondered whether she'd known something I hadn't.
My father looked at Richard.
“Do you have proof that Michael received the money?””
“Not yet. I have evidence that his instructions established proof that Michael received the money?””
“Not yet. I have evidence that his instructions established the channel. I also have records indicating that someone with access to the trust documents changed the distribution the channel. I also have records indicating that someone with access to the trust documents changed the distribution details.””
“Who had access?””
Richard hesitated.
“The original paperwork lists you as trustee. But the details.””
“Who had access?””
Richard hesitated.
“The original paperwork lists you as trustee. But the contact details were later changed to an email address belonging to Vanessa.””
My father looked sick.
“And you accepted the change contact details were later changed to an email address belonging to Vanessa.””
My father looked sick.
“And you accepted the change without verifying it with me?””
Richard lowered his eyes.
“My company received what appeared to be an authenticated instruction. We failed to perform an additional verification. That without verifying it with me?””
Richard lowered his eyes.
“My company received what appeared to be an authenticated instruction. We failed to perform an additional verification. That failure is part of why I'm here.””
“Convenient.””
“I know how it sounds failure is part of why I'm here.””
“Convenient.””
“I know how it sounds.””
“It sounds like you helped someone steal my daughter's inheritance.””
Richard didn't argue.
Instead, he placed another sheet on the table.
“This is.””
“It sounds like you helped someone steal my daughter's inheritance.””
Richard didn't argue.
Instead, he placed another sheet on the table.
“This is the transaction history I have so far. The first transfer was $42,000. It was followed by several smaller deposits. The total routed through my the transaction history I have so far.
The first transfer was $42,000. It was followed by several smaller deposits. The total routed through my company was $186,700.””
I stared at the figure.
“What happened to the rest?””
“I don't know. The trust administrator may company was $186,700.””
I stared at the figure.
“What happened to the rest?””
“I don't know. The trust administrator may be able to account for additional withdrawals.””
My father looked at the document.
“Then we'll get those be able to account for additional withdrawals.””
My father looked at the document.
“Then we'll get those records.””
“Yes.””
“And you'll cooperate with my attorney?””
“Completely.””
Richard paused records.””
“Yes.””
“And you'll cooperate with my attorney?””
“Completely.””
Richard paused.
“But you need to understand something else. Vanessa believed she was helping someone recover money. She.
“But you need to understand something else. Vanessa believed she was helping someone recover money. She was told that the trust contained assets that had been improperly withheld.””
“By Michael?”” was told that the trust contained assets that had been improperly withheld.””
“By Michael?”” I asked.
Richard nodded.
“He claimed that your mother had promised him a share of the family investments before she I asked.
Richard nodded.
“He claimed that your mother had promised him a share of the family investments before she died.””
My father shook his head immediately.
“That's a lie.””
“Perhaps. But he provided documents that appeared to support his claim.””
“Documents my wife signed?””
Richard looked at him died.””
My father shook his head immediately.
“That's a lie.””
“Perhaps. But he provided documents that appeared to support his claim.””
“Documents my wife signed?””
Richard looked at him.
“Some of them, yes.””
My hands curled into fists.
“So Vanessa knew the money belonged to me?””
Richard didn't.
“Some of them, yes.””
My hands curled into fists.
“So Vanessa knew the money belonged to me?””
Richard didn't answer quickly enough.
I stepped closer.
“Did she know?””
“Yes,” he admitted.
“She knew the trust was established answer quickly enough.
I stepped closer.
“Did she know?””
“Yes,” he admitted.
“She knew the trust was established for your benefit. She also knew that the withdrawals required authorization.””
My father looked as if he might for your benefit. She also knew that the withdrawals required authorization.””
My father looked as if he might strike something.
“Then why did she participate?””
Richard lowered his voice.
“Because she believed Michael could strike something.
“Then why did she participate?””
Richard lowered his voice.
“Because she believed Michael could help her resolve her personal debts. He promised that if she assisted with the transfer, he would give her enough money to help her resolve her personal debts. He promised that if she assisted with the transfer, he would give her enough money to settle her obligations.””
I remembered Vanessa's separate account.
The $312,400.
The debt she'd claimed was settle her obligations.””
I remembered Vanessa's separate account.
The $312,400.
The debt she'd claimed was nearly $280,000.
I looked at my father.
“She wasn't just trying to save herself.””
“No,” he nearly $280,000.
I looked at my father.
“She wasn't just trying to save herself.””
“No,” he said quietly.
“She was trying to profit from it.””
Richard nodded.
“But I don't believe she was the person said quietly.
“She was trying to profit from it.””
Richard nodded.
“But I don't believe she was the person who designed the entire arrangement.””
My father held up the transaction history.
“Then who was who designed the entire arrangement.””
My father held up the transaction history.
“Then who was?””
Richard looked directly at me.
“Your uncle.””
The word felt unreal.
My father stepped away from the table and?””
Richard looked directly at me.
“Your uncle.””
The word felt unreal.
My father stepped away from the table and walked toward the window.
For several seconds, he didn't speak.
Then he turned.
“Richard, leave your documents. walked toward the window.
For several seconds, he didn't speak.
Then he turned.
“Richard, leave your documents. My attorney will contact you tomorrow. Until then, do not move any funds, delete any records, or contact Vanessa.””
Richard nodded.
My attorney will contact you tomorrow. Until then, do not move any funds, delete any records, or contact Vanessa.””
Richard nodded.
“Understood.””
He picked up his case.
Before leaving, he looked at me one last time.
“Emily, I“Understood.””
He picked up his case.
Before leaving, he looked at me one last time.
“Emily, I know you have every reason to hate everyone involved. But I want you to know that the first instruction I received claimed your mother had personally know you have every reason to hate everyone involved. But I want you to know that the first instruction I received claimed your mother had personally approved the arrangement before her death.””
My chest tightened.
“My mother would never have given away my inheritance.””
“I understand.””
approved the arrangement before her death.””
My chest tightened.
“My mother would never have given away my inheritance.””
“I understand.””
“No, you don't,” I said, my voice breaking.
“She spent months making sure I would be“No, you don't,” I said, my voice breaking.
“She spent months making sure I would be taken care of. She wrote letters for every birthday she thought she might miss. She made recordings for the taken care of.
She wrote letters for every birthday she thought she might miss. She made recordings for the days she wouldn't be there. She would never have left me with people who wanted to steal from me.””
Richard looked genuinely ashamed days she wouldn't be there. She would never have left me with people who wanted to steal from me.””
Richard looked genuinely ashamed.
“Then I hope the records prove you right.””
He walked down the front path and disappeared into the.
“Then I hope the records prove you right.””
He walked down the front path and disappeared into the darkness.
My father closed the door.
Neither of us moved.
Finally, I whispered, “Do you think Uncle Michael knew Mom was dying?””
My darkness.
My father closed the door.
Neither of us moved.
Finally, I whispered, “Do you think Uncle Michael knew Mom was dying?””
My father turned toward me.
“Yes.””
“Then he knew what she wanted for me.””
“Yes.””
I pressed my hands over father turned toward me.
“Yes.””
“Then he knew what she wanted for me.””
“Yes.””
I pressed my hands over my face.
“I don't understand how someone who loved her could do this.””
My father pulled me into his arms.
For the first time that night, I let my face.
“I don't understand how someone who loved her could do this.””
My father pulled me into his arms.
For the first time that night, I let myself cry without trying to hide it.
He held me the way he had when I was sixteen and the hospital doctor myself cry without trying to hide it.
He held me the way he had when I was sixteen and the hospital doctor had told us there was nothing more they could do for my mother.
had told us there was nothing more they could do for my mother.
When I finally pulled away, he wiped a tear from my cheek.
“We're going to find out what happened.””
I nodded.
Then we heard footsteps on the stairs.
Vanessa appeared at the top, carrying a small suitcase.
SheWhen I finally pulled away, he wiped a tear from my cheek.
“We're going to find out what happened.””
I nodded.
Then we heard footsteps on the stairs.
Vanessa appeared at the top, carrying a small suitcase.
She stopped when she saw the documents on the table.
“Who was here?””
My father didn't answer.
stopped when she saw the documents on the table.
“Who was here?””
My father didn't answer.
Her eyes landed on Richard's business card.
Then she looked at the papers.
“David, what have you done?””
He stared at her.
“WhatHer eyes landed on Richard's business card.
Then she looked at the papers.
“David, what have you done?””
He stared at her.
“What have I done?””
She descended the stairs slowly.
“Did you speak to Richard?””
“Yes.””
Her face drained of color.
“What did he tell you?””
My father folded his arms.
“Enough.””
Vanessa looked at me.
For the first time, there was no anger in have I done?””
She descended the stairs slowly.
“Did you speak to Richard?””
“Yes.””
Her face drained of color.
“What did he tell you?””
My father folded his arms.
“Enough.””
Vanessa looked at me.
For the first time, there was no anger in her expression.
Only fear.
“Emily, listen to me. Whatever Richard told you, it isn't the whole story.””
“Then tell us the her expression.
Only fear.
“Emily, listen to me. Whatever Richard told you, it isn't the whole story.””
“Then tell us the rest.””
She glanced toward the door.
“Not here.””
“Why not?”” my father asked.
“ rest.””
She glanced toward the door.
“Not here.””
“Why not?”” my father asked.
“Because Michael is involved.””
The name hung in the air.
My father went rigid.
“YouBecause Michael is involved.””
The name hung in the air.
My father went rigid.
“You knew about him?””
Vanessa closed her eyes.
“I knew he was involved in the money transfers.””
“How long knew about him?””
Vanessa closed her eyes.
“I knew he was involved in the money transfers.””
“How long?””
She didn't answer.
“How long, Vanessa?””
Her voice broke.
“Since before I married you.””
My father took a step toward her.
“You knew Michael was involved before our wedding?””
“Yes.””
“And you married me anyway?””
She looked at him, tears streaming down her face?””
She didn't answer.
“How long, Vanessa?””
Her voice broke.
“Since before I married you.””
My father took a step toward her.
“You knew Michael was involved before our wedding?””
“Yes.””
“And you married me anyway?””
She looked at him, tears streaming down her face.
“I thought I could fix everything before you found out.””
My father shook his head.
“By stealing from my daughter?””
.
“I thought I could fix everything before you found out.””
My father shook his head.
“By stealing from my daughter?””
“I didn't know it would go this far!””
“You knew enough to participate.””
Vanessa gripped the railing.
Then she looked at me.
“Emily,“I didn't know it would go this far!””
“You knew enough to participate.””
Vanessa gripped the railing.
Then she looked at me.
“Emily, there's something else you need to know about your mother.””
My heart stopped.
“What?””
Vanessa swallowed hard.
“The money wasn't the only thing Michael wanted there's something else you need to know about your mother.””
My heart stopped.
“What?””
Vanessa swallowed hard.
“The money wasn't the only thing Michael wanted.””
She looked at the papers on the table.
“He wanted something your mother kept hidden. Something she told me about shortly before she died.””
My father stared.””
She looked at the papers on the table.
“He wanted something your mother kept hidden. Something she told me about shortly before she died.””
My father stared at her.
“What did she tell you?””
Vanessa's lips trembled.
Then she whispered five words that changed everything.
“Your mother knew he would betray at her.
“What did she tell you?””
Vanessa's lips trembled.
May you like
Then she whispered five words that changed everything.
“Your mother knew he would betray you.””
