Chapter 10 - The Account in My Name
“That's impossible,” I said. “I didn't take anyone's money.”
Marisol didn't accuse me. She looked exhausted. “June told me you were the most honest person she'd ever raised. That's why I called instead of going to the news.”
Mara photographed the check without taking Marisol's binder. “We need the bank to verify what actually cleared. The stamp could be counterfeit.”
Nick stared at the name. “You've only been a Hale for one day.”
“And that check is dated six months ago,” I said.
Mara nodded. “Someone planned to blame Anna before the wedding.”
We drove to the branch where my mother had once kept a savings account. The manager could disclose nothing without proper authorization, but agreed to record my report of suspected identity theft and flag the concern for the bank's fraud team. I placed a freeze on my credit with the major bureaus and changed every password I could think of.
By afternoon the editor of a local business blog called asking whether I had siphoned charitable funds. Somehow, Martha's story was reaching people ahead of the facts.
“Tell me what you know,” I asked.
“The Hale family has supplied documents,” the reporter said. “They're claiming your marriage was a way to gain access to their trust.”
I looked at Nick. He shook his head sharply.
“Print this,” I told the reporter. “I never had access to those accounts. I've reported suspected fraud. Ask why the trust is trying to sell the homes of forty families.”
After I hung up, Elliot arrived with a cardboard document tube. Inside were old property maps showing Riverbend's original charitable boundaries. A narrow strip behind the building wasn't included in the forged transfer.
“Why does that matter?” I asked.
“Because the deed describes a driveway crossing this land,” Elliot said. “If that strip isn't theirs, the developer can't use the planned entrance.”
May you like
“Who owns it?” Nick asked.
Elliot looked at me. “Your mother bought it from my father for one dollar. She left it in a trust. Anna, the listed beneficiary is you.”
