Chapter 8 - The Money Ryan Never Found
The reserve account had been untouched for nine years.
My father had built it as a backup fund tied to the trust. Ryan and Diane had never found it.
For one minute, that felt like good news.
Then Monica ruined it.
"Someone tried to access the account yesterday."
"Who?"
"The bank won't tell me without authorization. But the login came from a device registered to Bennett Development."
Charles swore under his breath.
"Only six executives have those credentials."
"Ryan?"
"Yes. Diane too. Victor doesn't."
Monica looked at me. "We need to freeze everything before they try again."
I signed the fraud affidavits with my left hand.
At noon, the bank froze the reserve account and every line of credit connected to my trust.
At twelve-oh-seven, Ryan called.
I let it ring.
At twelve-ten, Diane called.
I declined.
At twelve-thirteen, Victor Sloan sent an email marked CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT OFFER.
He offered me two hundred thousand dollars to waive all claims, leave the house within forty-eight hours, and agree never to accuse any Bennett family member of fraud or abuse.
Monica read it twice.
"This is panic."
"Can we use it?"
"Probably. Especially the part where he wants you to release claims you supposedly don't have."
Charles paced by the window.
"Victor has represented this family for twenty years."
"Then he knows where every body is buried," Monica said.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Charles."
He turned slowly.
"Your father and Victor hated each other near the end. David accused him of hiding fees inside the company books."
"Did my father prove it?"
"No. He died before the audit was finished."
Monica closed her laptop.
"How did Emily's father die?"
"Car accident," I said.
Charles looked at the floor.
Too long.
"What aren't you telling me?"
May you like
He finally met my eyes.
"The last person your father met that night was Victor Sloan."
