Chapter 12 - The Money Behind the Water
The safe-deposit box contained statements, copies of checks, and a ledger Robert had kept during the last year of his life. Abby brought everything to a forensic accountant approved by Julia.
Two days later, Julia called us into her office.
"Margaret has moved substantial money out of Evie's trust," she said. "We need the complete records before drawing final conclusions, but these transfers have serious problems."
"How much?" Daniel asked.
"At least one point eight million dollars."
My first thought was Evie's face against the hospital pillow. My second was how Margaret had bought her a dollhouse for Christmas and made us thank her for weeks.
The statements showed payments to a foundation controlled by Margaret, described as preservation grants for family property. Yet several properties listed in the supporting records had been sold years earlier.
"Could she go to jail for that?" I asked.
"That depends on what investigators establish. But if she can't explain the transfers, she'll lose control of the trust."
Daniel sank back in his chair. "The birthday audit. That's why she wanted Nora to sign the guardianship agreement."
Julia nodded. "A legal guardianship would not erase an audit. But she may have thought she could pressure you into withdrawing questions or delaying access to records."
I thought of Margaret's messages: For Evie's protection. Don't force my hand. She hadn't been talking about Evie's safety. She'd been talking about keeping her grip on us.
That evening, I found Daniel sitting alone outside the hospital.
"There's something I didn't tell you," he said.
"What?"
"Mom had me sign papers for the trust last spring. She said they were routine tax documents. I didn't read all of them."
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He handed me a copy of the largest transfer authorization.
At the bottom was his signature.
