Chapter 8: The Daughter They Tried to Erase
I looked at Denise.
"What account connected to Maya?""
She shook her head.
"Marcus, please.""
I stepped closer.
"Answer me.""
Robert raised one hand.
"Let'sMarcus, please.""
I stepped closer.
"Answer me.""
Robert raised one hand.
"Let's keep this calm. Mrs. Bennett, what account are you referring to?""
Denise looked at him.
Then she looked at Maya.
For a moment, I keep this calm. Mrs. Bennett, what account are you referring to?""
Denise looked at him.
Then she looked at Maya.
For a moment, I thought she might finally tell the truth.
Instead, she turned away.
"I can't explain everything in front of her.""
M thought she might finally tell the truth.
Instead, she turned away.
"I can't explain everything in front of her.""
Maya let out a quiet laugh.
"You're talking about my money, aren't you?""
Denise didn't respond.
Maya steppedaya let out a quiet laugh.
"You're talking about my money, aren't you?""
Denise didn't respond.
Maya stepped forward.
"Then I think I deserve to hear it.""
Robert nodded.
"She's right.""
I pulled out a forward.
"Then I think I deserve to hear it.""
Robert nodded.
"She's right.""
I pulled out a chair for my daughter.
She sat down.
I remained standing beside her.
"Denise, start talking.""
My chair for my daughter.
She sat down.
I remained standing beside her.
"Denise, start talking.""
My wife rubbed her forehead.
"Your mother-in-law left a small investment account for Maya.""
I frowned.
"Angela?""
Denise nodded.
"What investment account?""
She hesitated.
"Angela wife rubbed her forehead.
"Your mother-in-law left a small investment account for Maya.""
I frowned.
"Angela?""
Denise nodded.
"What investment account?""
She hesitated.
"Angela opened it when Maya was little. She wanted to save money for her education.""
I stared at her.
"I knew about that account.""
"Not opened it when Maya was little. She wanted to save money for her education.""
I stared at her.
"I knew about that account.""
"Not everything.""
My stomach tightened.
"What did you do?""
Denise looked toward the floor.
"After Angela died, the account was transferred into a custod everything.""
My stomach tightened.
"What did you do?""
Denise looked toward the floor.
"After Angela died, the account was transferred into a custodial arrangement.""
I turned toward Maya.
"Do you remember it?""
Maya nodded slowly.
"Grandma Angela used toial arrangement.""
I turned toward Maya.
"Do you remember it?""
Maya nodded slowly.
"Grandma Angela used to tell me she was saving money for college.""
I looked at Denise.
"How much was in it?""
"I don't know exactly.""
"Don't tell me she was saving money for college.""
I looked at Denise.
"How much was in it?""
"I don't know exactly.""
"Don't lie to me.""
She closed her eyes.
"Approximately forty-eight thousand dollars.""
I felt my blood run cold.
Forty-eight thousand dollars.
Money lie to me.""
She closed her eyes.
"Approximately forty-eight thousand dollars.""
I felt my blood run cold.
Forty-eight thousand dollars.
Money Angela had saved for our daughter.
Money I had never touched.
Money I had assumed was still safely invested Angela had saved for our daughter.
Money I had never touched.
Money I had assumed was still safely invested.
I turned toward Maya.
"Did you ever receive statements?""
She shook her head.
"No. I.
I turned toward Maya.
"Did you ever receive statements?""
She shook her head.
"No. I thought you were managing it.""
I looked at Denise.
"Why were you managing it?""
She swallowed.
"Because I handled some of the family financial paperwork.""
I thought you were managing it.""
I looked at Denise.
"Why were you managing it?""
She swallowed.
"Because I handled some of the family financial paperwork.""
I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
"That account was never yours.""
"I know.""
"Then why?""
couldn't believe what I was hearing.
"That account was never yours.""
"I know.""
"Then why?""
Denise finally looked up.
"Because Claire said the account could be used to demonstrate that Maya had already received financial supportDenise finally looked up.
"Because Claire said the account could be used to demonstrate that Maya had already received financial support.""
Robert's expression hardened.
"That doesn't give anyone authority to withdraw funds.""
Denise looked away.
I took out my phone.
.""
Robert's expression hardened.
"That doesn't give anyone authority to withdraw funds.""
Denise looked away.
I took out my phone.
"Robert, can we verify the account?""
"Yes. But we'll need the institution and authorization records.""
I"Robert, can we verify the account?""
"Yes. But we'll need the institution and authorization records.""
I turned to Denise.
"Where is the money now?""
She didn't answer.
Maya stood up.
"Where is my turned to Denise.
"Where is the money now?""
She didn't answer.
Maya stood up.
"Where is my mother's money?""
Denise began crying.
"I didn't spend it all.""
Maya stared at her.
"How much did you take?""
Den mother's money?""
Denise began crying.
"I didn't spend it all.""
Maya stared at her.
"How much did you take?""
Denise covered her face.
"Thirty-two thousand.""
My daughter went completely still.
I felt something inside me breakise covered her face.
"Thirty-two thousand.""
My daughter went completely still.
I felt something inside me break.
"Thirty-two thousand dollars?""
Denise nodded.
"Daniel said it was necessary to prepare.
"Thirty-two thousand dollars?""
Denise nodded.
"Daniel said it was necessary to prepare the documents and resolve the property issue.""
Robert stepped forward.
"Who is Daniel Price?""
Denise wiped her cheeks.
" the documents and resolve the property issue.""
Robert stepped forward.
"Who is Daniel Price?""
Denise wiped her cheeks.
"He's a consultant.""
"For what?""
"Financial restructuring.""
Robert shook his head.
"That doesn't explain whyHe's a consultant.""
"For what?""
"Financial restructuring.""
Robert shook his head.
"That doesn't explain why he received money belonging to a young woman who never authorized him.""
Denise looked at me.
"I was going to put it back.""
I he received money belonging to a young woman who never authorized him.""
Denise looked at me.
"I was going to put it back.""
I stared at her.
"With what?""
She didn't answer.
Maya slowly sat down again.
Her hands were trembling.
"That was stared at her.
"With what?""
She didn't answer.
Maya slowly sat down again.
Her hands were trembling.
"That was Mom's money.""
I knelt beside her.
"I know, sweetheart.""
"She saved it for me.""
"I know.""
" Mom's money.""
I knelt beside her.
"I know, sweetheart.""
"She saved it for me.""
"I know.""
"She wanted me to go to college.""
I pulled her into my arms.
She buried her face against my shoulder.
For several seconds, I couldn't speak.
Then I lookedShe wanted me to go to college.""
I pulled her into my arms.
She buried her face against my shoulder.
For several seconds, I couldn't speak.
Then I looked at Denise.
"You're going to tell us everything.""
She shook her head.
"I can't at Denise.
"You're going to tell us everything.""
She shook her head.
"I can't.""
"Why?""
"Because Jordan is already involved.""
I looked toward the front door.
"Then we'll.""
"Why?""
"Because Jordan is already involved.""
I looked toward the front door.
"Then we'll find him.""
Robert called the local police non-emergency line and explained that we had reason to believe funds had find him.""
Robert called the local police non-emergency line and explained that we had reason to believe funds had been withdrawn without proper authorization and that documents might be used to impersonate Maya.
He didn't accuse anyone of a crime before the evidence was examined.
He simply asked for guidance and documented been withdrawn without proper authorization and that documents might be used to impersonate Maya.
He didn't accuse anyone of a crime before the evidence was examined.
He simply asked for guidance and documented the information.
Then he contacted the financial institution through the appropriate fraud channel.
While he made the information.
Then he contacted the financial institution through the appropriate fraud channel.
While he made those calls, Brianna sat at the kitchen table.
She looked exhausted.
I approached her.
"Why did you bring me those messages?""
She those calls, Brianna sat at the kitchen table.
She looked exhausted.
I approached her.
"Why did you bring me those messages?""
She stared at her hands.
"Because I couldn't keep doing this.""
"Doing what?""
"Watching Mom stared at her hands.
"Because I couldn't keep doing this.""
"Doing what?""
"Watching Mom destroy Maya's life so she could get money.""
I sat across from her.
"How long have you known?""
Brianna looked at Maya.
"Since the destroy Maya's life so she could get money.""
I sat across from her.
"How long have you known?""
Brianna looked at Maya.
"Since the beginning.""
Maya looked up.
"What?""
Brianna swallowed.
"Mom started talking about the house almost a year ago.""
I felt my jaw tighten beginning.""
Maya looked up.
"What?""
Brianna swallowed.
"Mom started talking about the house almost a year ago.""
I felt my jaw tighten.
"What did she tell you?""
"She said Grandma's property was worth a lot of money. She wanted to sell it and give each of us a share.
"What did she tell you?""
"She said Grandma's property was worth a lot of money. She wanted to sell it and give each of us a share.""
"Did she mention Maya?""
"She said Maya would get her portion through the trust.""
"Then why did she want Maya to surrender.""
"Did she mention Maya?""
"She said Maya would get her portion through the trust.""
"Then why did she want Maya to surrender her rights?""
Brianna looked toward Denise.
"Because Mom didn't want to wait.""
I stared at her.
"Wait for what?""
Brianna lowered her rights?""
Brianna looked toward Denise.
"Because Mom didn't want to wait.""
I stared at her.
"Wait for what?""
Brianna lowered her voice.
"She said the trust had too many restrictions. She wanted to sell the house and use the money before the property market her voice.
"She said the trust had too many restrictions. She wanted to sell the house and use the money before the property market changed.""
Robert ended his call and joined us.
"Did your mother tell you about the financial transfers?""
Brianna changed.""
Robert ended his call and joined us.
"Did your mother tell you about the financial transfers?""
Brianna nodded.
"She said it was temporary.""
"Did you receive money?""
She looked ashamed.
"Yes.""
"How much?""
"About eight thousand dollars.""
I closed my eyes.
"From nodded.
"She said it was temporary.""
"Did you receive money?""
She looked ashamed.
"Yes.""
"How much?""
"About eight thousand dollars.""
I closed my eyes.
"From the household account?""
She nodded.
I waited.
"Did you know it was coming from Maya's education account?""
Bri the household account?""
She nodded.
I waited.
"Did you know it was coming from Maya's education account?""
Brianna began crying.
"No. I swear I didn't.""
I studied her face.
Then I asked:
"Why didn't you tell me when you found out?""
She wiped her cheeks.
"Because Momanna began crying.
"No. I swear I didn't.""
I studied her face.
Then I asked:
"Why didn't you tell me when you found out?""
She wiped her cheeks.
"Because Mom said if I told you, she'd tell everyone I was stealing from the family.""
I looked at her.
"Was that true?""
"No said if I told you, she'd tell everyone I was stealing from the family.""
I looked at her.
"Was that true?""
"No.""
"Then why were you afraid?""
She hesitated.
"Because she knew something about me.""
Denise immediately stood.
"Bri.""
"Then why were you afraid?""
She hesitated.
"Because she knew something about me.""
Denise immediately stood.
"Brianna, don't.""
But Brianna looked at me.
"Mom has been keeping records of every financial favor she's done for us. Every payment, every loan, every time she helped withanna, don't.""
But Brianna looked at me.
"Mom has been keeping records of every financial favor she's done for us. Every payment, every loan, every time she helped with rent or tuition.""
I frowned.
"Why?""
"She says we owe her.""
Denise snapped rent or tuition.""
I frowned.
"Why?""
"She says we owe her.""
Denise snapped.
"That's enough!""
Brianna continued.
"She told Jordan that if he didn't help her, she'd report the money he.
"That's enough!""
Brianna continued.
"She told Jordan that if he didn't help her, she'd report the money he received as undeclared income.""
Jordan had been unemployed for months.
I didn't know what arrangements he had made with the money.
But it was clear Denise had been using financial support to received as undeclared income.""
Jordan had been unemployed for months.
I didn't know what arrangements he had made with the money.
But it was clear Denise had been using financial support to control her children.
"Where is Jordan now?"" I asked.
Brianna looked at her phone.
"He was supposed to meet Daniel at control her children.
"Where is Jordan now?"" I asked.
Brianna looked at her phone.
"He was supposed to meet Daniel at a hotel near the highway.""
"What time?""
"About eight.""
I checked the clock.
It was already past seven.
Robert a hotel near the highway.""
"What time?""
"About eight.""
I checked the clock.
It was already past seven.
Robert immediately said, "Don't go looking for him alone. We'll coordinate with the authorities.""
I nodded.
Then my phone vibr immediately said, "Don't go looking for him alone. We'll coordinate with the authorities.""
I nodded.
Then my phone vibrated.
A message from Jordan.
*Jordan:* Marcus, I'm sorry. I think Mom has lied to all of us.
A second message appeared.
ated.
A message from Jordan.
*Jordan:* Marcus, I'm sorry. I think Mom has lied to all of us.
A second message appeared.
*Jordan:* I'm at the hotel. Daniel has the original documents.
Then another.
*Jordan: HeJordan:* I'm at the hotel. Daniel has the original documents.
Then another.
*Jordan:* He says if I don't sign the statement, he'll make sure I take the blame for everything.
I called him says if I don't sign the statement, he'll make sure I take the blame for everything.
I called him immediately.
He answered on the second ring.
"Jordan, where are you?""
His voice was shaky.
"Room 214.""
"Are you alone?""
"No. Daniel is outside.""
"Don't immediately.
He answered on the second ring.
"Jordan, where are you?""
His voice was shaky.
"Room 214.""
"Are you alone?""
"No. Daniel is outside.""
"Don't sign anything.""
"He says I already signed something.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"What did you sign?""
Jordan began breathing heavily.
"I thought it was a receipt sign anything.""
"He says I already signed something.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"What did you sign?""
Jordan began breathing heavily.
"I thought it was a receipt.""
"What receipt?""
"He said it was confirmation that he received the documents.""
I looked at Robert.
He was already reaching for his coat.""
"What receipt?""
"He said it was confirmation that he received the documents.""
I looked at Robert.
He was already reaching for his coat.
"Jordan, listen to me carefully. Don't hand him anything else. Don't sign anything else. Stay where you are.""
"Marcus, I think I'm in trouble.""
"Tell.
"Jordan, listen to me carefully. Don't hand him anything else. Don't sign anything else. Stay where you are.""
"Marcus, I think I'm in trouble.""
"Tell me what happened.""
Jordan hesitated.
Then he whispered:
"I saw the letter with Maya's signature.""
I looked toward my daughter.
"Did you see the original?""
"Yes.""
"Was it her signature?""
"No me what happened.""
Jordan hesitated.
Then he whispered:
"I saw the letter with Maya's signature.""
I looked toward my daughter.
"Did you see the original?""
"Yes.""
"Was it her signature?""
"No.""
My chest tightened.
"Are you sure?""
"I know Maya's handwriting. It wasn't hers.""
I closed my eyes.
"Then how did it get there?""
Jordan.""
My chest tightened.
"Are you sure?""
"I know Maya's handwriting. It wasn't hers.""
I closed my eyes.
"Then how did it get there?""
Jordan's answer came slowly.
"Mom wrote it.""
Denise gasped.
I turned toward her.
Jordan continued.
"She copied's answer came slowly.
"Mom wrote it.""
Denise gasped.
I turned toward her.
Jordan continued.
"She copied Maya's signature from an old school form. Daniel told her how to make it look official.""
I stared at my wife Maya's signature from an old school form. Daniel told her how to make it look official.""
I stared at my wife.
She was crying now.
But I felt no sympathy.
"Jordan, can you get away from him?""
"I don't know.""
Then I heard a second.
She was crying now.
But I felt no sympathy.
"Jordan, can you get away from him?""
"I don't know.""
Then I heard a second voice through the phone.
A man.
"Jordan, who are you talking to?""
Jordan whispered:
"He's here voice through the phone.
A man.
"Jordan, who are you talking to?""
Jordan whispered:
"He's here.""
The call disconnected.
I immediately tried calling again.
No answer.
Robert contacted the police and provided the location.
We waited for instructions.
Every second.""
The call disconnected.
I immediately tried calling again.
No answer.
Robert contacted the police and provided the location.
We waited for instructions.
Every second felt like an hour.
Maya sat on the sofa, holding Angela's photograph from the old house.
I sat beside her.
"Dad?""
"Yes?""
"Do you felt like an hour.
Maya sat on the sofa, holding Angela's photograph from the old house.
I sat beside her.
"Dad?""
"Yes?""
"Do you think Jordan knew Mom's money was stolen?""
I looked at her.
"I don't know.""
"Do you think Brianna did?""
I shook my head.
"We'll find out.""
She think Jordan knew Mom's money was stolen?""
I looked at her.
"I don't know.""
"Do you think Brianna did?""
I shook my head.
"We'll find out.""
She stared at the photograph.
"I don't want to hate them.""
I put my arm around her.
"You stared at the photograph.
"I don't want to hate them.""
I put my arm around her.
"You don't have to decide how you feel tonight.""
A few minutes later, Robert received a call.
He listened carefully.
Then he looked at me.
"Jordan has been located.""
I stood.
"Is don't have to decide how you feel tonight.""
A few minutes later, Robert received a call.
He listened carefully.
Then he looked at me.
"Jordan has been located.""
I stood.
"Is he okay?""
"He's safe. The police are speaking with him.""
I exhaled.
Then Robert added he okay?""
"He's safe. The police are speaking with him.""
I exhaled.
Then Robert added:
"But Daniel Price has left the hotel.""
"Did they recover the documents?""
"Not all of them.""
My stomach dropped.
"Which ones are missing?""
Robert checked his notes.
"The original surrender letter,:
"But Daniel Price has left the hotel.""
"Did they recover the documents?""
"Not all of them.""
My stomach dropped.
"Which ones are missing?""
Robert checked his notes.
"The original surrender letter, the authorization document, and the trust correspondence.""
I looked at Denise.
She had stopped crying.
Her face had become strangely the authorization document, and the trust correspondence.""
I looked at Denise.
She had stopped crying.
Her face had become strangely calm.
Then she said:
"Daniel didn't take those documents.""
I turned toward her.
"Then who did?""
She looked at Maya calm.
Then she said:
"Daniel didn't take those documents.""
I turned toward her.
"Then who did?""
She looked at Maya.
And for the first time, she seemed genuinely terrified.
"Claire.""
I stared.
"Why would Claire take them?""
Denise swallowed.
"Because she.
And for the first time, she seemed genuinely terrified.
"Claire.""
I stared.
"Why would Claire take them?""
Denise swallowed.
"Because she knows what your mother really put in the trust.""
Robert frowned.
"What are you talking about?""
Denise looked at me.
"Your knows what your mother really put in the trust.""
Robert frowned.
"What are you talking about?""
Denise looked at me.
"Your mother didn't just leave the house to Maya.""
She took a shaky breath.
"She left something else.""
I waited.
Then she whispered:
"An mother didn't just leave the house to Maya.""
She took a shaky breath.
"She left something else.""
I waited.
May you like
Then she whispered:
"An account worth almost two million dollars.""
