Chapter 4 - A Voice from the Past
The police escorted Derek to a private room for questioning.
They didn't handcuff him in front of the donors.
I was grateful for the restraint, though he hadn't shown me any.
Samuel led me into a conference suite behind the stage.
Nadia followed, carrying a laptop like a shield.
"Why didn't anyone tell me about the trust?" I asked.
"Your father wanted the paperwork recorded before your family could interfere," Samuel explained. "The appointment became effective at his death. I've been trying to reach you through Navy legal channels. Tonight was our first secure meeting."
He produced a signed trustee acceptance form.
I read it twice before signing.
"This doesn't mean I can just grab a building, does it?"
"No. It means you have a duty to protect it. We still need a court order to stop an unlawful transfer."
Nadia opened an invoice.
Barker Development had billed the trust for new plumbing in the west wing.
"I toured that wing last month," she said. "There isn't any plumbing. There isn't even a floor."
My stomach sank.
Dad had died believing his home would shelter people who needed it.
Derek had been charging for rooms that didn't exist.
Samuel brought out an old digital recorder.
"Frank dictated this when his hands couldn't hold a pen. It's not our only evidence, but you should hear it."
Dad's voice filled the room, thin and breathy.
"Caroline, if you're listening, I'm sorry I didn't stop her at the door. I told myself keeping peace would keep us a family. It only taught them they could hurt you without consequence."
I pressed my palms together to keep from shaking.
The recording continued.
"If Patricia says she signed those withdrawals for my care, ask her to explain why my nurse went unpaid."
There was a click.
Then another man's voice, distant but clear.
"Dad, turn that thing off."
Derek.
May you like
"Please," Dad said. "Don't sell the house."
The recording ended with the scrape of a chair and a sharp, frightened breath.
