Chapter 18 - The Empty Account
The answer came by noon.
Less than eighty thousand dollars remained in the operating account of a trust that had once held millions.
Some proceeds were frozen in an escrow account, but large sums had gone to contractors that appeared to exist only on invoices.
Nadia looked exhausted.
"The court stopped the bleeding," she said. "It didn't put the blood back."
A recovery suit might bring funds home.
The state charities regulator opened an investigation.
Lenders began examining the guarantees Derek had signed.
None of that meant Marcus Bell's family would have a room before winter.
I drove back to Harbor House alone.
Rain drummed through the unfinished ceiling.
I sat on a stack of drywall and called Samuel.
"Can we save the property?"
"I believe we have a strong claim. I can't promise the outcome or the timetable."
"And if we lose?"
"We protect the remaining beneficiaries with whatever lawful resources we recover."
That was Dad's instruction.
Don't let them take the people.
I called Elias and asked for a favor.
Not a military favor. A community one.
He knew independent veteran housing groups that might help families who'd been promised rooms.
Within three days, a local nonprofit had connected Marcus's family with temporary rental assistance.
A retired electrician offered to inspect Harbor House once the court permitted work.
An accountant offered to volunteer for the trust under an independent board.
People were showing up without waiting to be thanked.
Then Patricia called.
"Derek says you'll send him to prison," she said.
"I don't decide that."
She was quiet for a long time.
"He offered me a deal," she whispered. "He'll return the money he hid if I say you forged your father's documents."
"What did you tell him?"
May you like
She began to cry.
"I told him I'd think about it."
