Chapter 6 - RICHARD’S EXPLANATION
Dad asked to meet at his house.
I brought attorney Martin Hale.
Dad looked offended.
“Do we need lawyers?”
“Yes.”
That was the entire answer.
Martin placed the forms on the table.
Dad sighed.
“I never intended harm.”
Good beginning.
Bad sign.
“Did you approve verification codes?”
“Yes.”
“How many?”
“I don’t remember.”
“Approximately?”
“Several.”
“Did Claire confirm each transfer?”
“I believed Kevin had spoken with her.”
I stared.
“You believed?”
“Kevin said—”
“No.”
I cut him off.
“Did you ask me?”
“Not every time.”
“Any time after the first?”
He looked down.
“One.”
“When?”
“Two years ago.”
“What did you ask?”
“Whether you were still comfortable helping Madison.”
“What did I say?”
Dad hesitated.
“You said you loved her.”
I laughed.
Martin did not.
“What else?”
“You said you weren’t writing blank checks.”
There.
“And then?”
“I thought you meant we should be reasonable.”
“No.”
“I meant no blank checks.”
Dad’s face hardened.
“She is your niece.”
“And Noah is your grandson.”
“What does Noah have to do with Madison’s tuition?”
Dad answered too quickly.
“He’s taken care of.”
The room went quiet.
“Taken care of how?”
“You have Aaron’s insurance. Your house is paid. Your branch is healthy.”
I stared.
May you like
My husband died.
And somehow his death had become evidence Noah needed less.
