Chapter 11 - WHAT RACHEL NEEDED
The letter to Peter Sloan was from Emily.
It was short.
Peter,
Rachel told me you helped her restructure some personal debt. I need confirmation that no document involving my children, my trust, or Daniel’s estate has been prepared or filed at her request. Do not contact Rachel about this inquiry.
Emily had signed it.
Dana read it twice.
“She was investigating them.”
“Emily knew.”
“She suspected,” Dana corrected. “That matters.”
Noah stood nearby, hugging his mother’s old pillow.
Daniel forced himself to lower his voice.
“What did Rachel owe?”
The next morning, Dana’s investigator found a $186,000 judgment against Rachel, plus other debts and a lien on her apartment.
Then they found transfers.
Small at first.
$1,200 for “school supplies.”
$2,800 for “childcare reimbursement.”
$6,400 for “therapy coordination.”
All drawn from a family support account Daniel had authorized Rachel to use for the children.
Over fourteen months, nearly $74,000 had disappeared.
Daniel stared at the spreadsheet.
“I never approved half of this.”
“You approved the account,” Dana said. “She appears to have fabricated the receipts.”
Daniel thought of all the nights he thanked Rachel for handling expenses.
Then the school called.
The principal, Dr. Lewis, sounded tense.
“Mr. Brooks, I need you to come in.”
“What happened?”
“Your sister submitted documents last month naming herself educational guardian.”
Daniel stood.
“I never signed that.”
“I was afraid you might say that.”
“Why?”
“Because your signature is on every page.”
Daniel looked at Noah.
“Is there anything else?”
Dr. Lewis hesitated.
“Yes.”
“She also asked us to begin documenting Noah’s behavior for possible residential placement.”
Daniel’s blood ran cold.
“Residential placement where?”
The principal named a school three states away.
Noah heard it.
May you like
His face drained of color.
“That’s where she said she’d send me if I didn’t stop protecting Lily.”
