Chapter 3: The Truth No One Could Hide
"What did you do?" Chelsea whispered.
"I followed the law."
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
The front door suddenly opened.
Every head turned.
Two sheriff's deputies stepped inside, removing snow from their boots.
Behind them walked Rebecca Shaw carrying another leather portfolio.
"Merry Christmas," she said politely.
"I'm afraid this won't take long."
My father stood.
"You can't come into my house."
Rebecca looked around the dining room.
"Actually..."
She placed another document onto the table.
"...this property is now under temporary court supervision pending investigation."
The room erupted.
Chelsea burst into tears.
My mother kept repeating,
"This can't be happening..."
Rebecca ignored them.
She looked directly at me.
"The court has also approved an audit."
"We found evidence that trust funds were transferred without the beneficiary's authorization."
My father suddenly looked twenty years older.
His shoulders collapsed.
His confidence disappeared.
Rebecca continued.
"Nearly three million dollars."
The deputies exchanged a glance.
One stepped toward my father.
"We'll need you to answer a few questions."
Maisie squeezed my hand.
Softly she asked,
"Mom..."
"Are we in trouble?"
I knelt beside her.
"No, sweetheart."
"We're finally out of it."
For the first time that Christmas...
Someone smiled.
It wasn't my parents.
May you like
It wasn't Chelsea.
It was my daughter.
