Chapter 17 - The Family Business
"Stop me how?" I asked.
Dana answered carefully. "That's what investigators are determining. Jason says Margaret told Ethan the ceremony would give you a public platform. He didn't hear an order to attack you. He heard a warning not to let you speak."
The distinction mattered. I hated that it mattered. But after weeks of people twisting the truth, I wasn't going to twist it myself.
The records showed the family's desperation in black and white. Margaret had used charity money to cover old business losses. Ethan had authorized fraudulent payments. Jason had moved them. Each had blamed someone else when the numbers stopped adding up.
"They called it protecting the family," Beth told me. "That's what Margaret always said."
"They were protecting themselves."
Agent Shah's team worked with prosecutors to freeze accounts and seek recovery of property bought with diverted funds. They couldn't promise every donor would be repaid, and they didn't pretend it was simple. An independent administrator was appointed to help preserve what remained of Second Watch's legitimate programs.
Luis called after the news broke. "I'm not calling to ask about my ramp," he said.
"You should."
"I'm calling to ask if you're eating. My daughter says you sound like somebody who forgets."
I sat down at the kitchen table and cried into my sandwich.
That evening Ellen Parker visited with a framed photograph of June in uniform. She placed it beside the tiny yellow blanket Tessa had bought for my baby.
"Your daughter can know the woman she's named after," Ellen said. "She doesn't need the whole story at once. Just the good parts first."
I ran my fingers over the edge of the frame.
A sharp tightening crossed my belly. Then another, stronger one. I looked at the calendar. Five weeks had passed since the ceremony.
"Tessa?" I called.
May you like
Water spilled across the kitchen floor before she reached me.
"I think June is coming."
