Chapter 11 - The Fake Order
The court order was fake.
Megan confirmed it within twenty minutes.
The case number belonged to an unrelated divorce.
The judge's signature had been copied from a public ruling.
But the hospital system had accepted it.
Lauren had received Emma's medical records.
"Why would she need them?" I asked.
Dana pointed to the report. "To make her allegations look informed."
James shook his head. "Or to search for something useful."
The pediatrician's office gave us the access log.
Lauren had opened vaccine records, growth charts, allergy notes, and one file labeled FAMILY HISTORY.
Then she downloaded Emma's insurance information.
Megan told us to place a fraud alert on every account connected to Emma's identity.
That was when we found the custodial savings account.
I had opened it after Emma was born.
My parents and James's mother had contributed birthday money.
The balance should have been around $18,000.
It was $6,200.
Three withdrawals had been made using paper forms.
Each form listed a "secondary custodian."
Lauren Bennett.
My signature appeared at the bottom.
Forged again.
James stared at the screen for a long time.
"This isn't about protecting Emma."
"No," I said. "It never was."
The bank manager pulled surveillance from the last withdrawal.
Lauren stood at the counter beside Martin Cole.
Mom was with them.
I called her.
"Tell me you didn't help Lauren take money from Emma's account."
Mom started crying before I finished.
"She said it was temporary."
I closed my eyes.
"How much did you know?"
"Not everything."
"How much?"
May you like
Silence.
Then Mom whispered, "Enough that you won't forgive me."
