Chapter 4: What George Never Told Me
"Your husband knew about the money long before you won the lottery.""
Richard's words seemed to echo through the room.
I tightened my grip on the phone.
"What money?""
"The money George put aside. The money he never told you about.""
I looked at Robert.
He immediately reached for a notepad.
"Richard, stop speaking in riddles. What are you talking about?""
Richard sighed.
"Judith, George wasn't a wealthy man, but he was a careful man. He invested in several commercial properties years ago. One of those investments was sold shortly before he died.""
"I know about his investments. I handled his estate.""
"No, you handled the accounts George wanted you to see.""
My stomach tightened.
"What does that mean?""
"It means George had a separate arrangement with me. He didn't want you worrying about financial matters while he was sick.""
I closed my eyes.
George had always been protective. During his final months, he'd insisted that I spend my time with him rather than worrying about bills and paperwork.
But he'd never mentioned a secret fortune.
"How much money are we talking about?"" I asked.
Richard hesitated.
"Approximately three million dollars.""
I stared at the wall.
"Three million?""
"That's what remained from the property sale and associated investments.""
"Where is it?""
"That's complicated.""
"No, Richard. It isn't. Either you know where my husband's money is, or you don't.""
He lowered his voice.
"George transferred management authority to me temporarily. The understanding was that the funds would eventually go to you.""
"Eventually?""
"He wanted to wait until you were settled after his death.""
I almost dropped the phone.
"You've had my husband's money for three years?""
"Judith, please. Don't make accusations.""
Robert raised his hand, signaling that I should put the call on speaker.
I did.
Robert leaned toward the phone.
"Mr. Calloway, this is Robert Hayes, Judith's attorney. Please explain the legal basis for your claim that you have authority over these assets.""
Richard went silent.
Then he laughed nervously.
"Robert, this is a family matter.""
"Not when you're discussing assets belonging to my client.""
"Look, George and I had an agreement.""
"Do you have documentation?""
Another silence.
Then Richard said, "I'll find it.""
Robert's expression hardened.
"Please do. We would also appreciate copies of every account statement and transaction record.""
Richard abruptly ended the call.
I sat motionless.
Robert pushed a glass of water toward me.
"Judith, did George ever mention a separate investment arrangement with Richard?""
I shook my head.
"Never.""
"Did you authorize Richard to manage any part of your inheritance?""
"No.""
Robert wrote something down.
"Then we'll need to investigate.""
I stared at the photograph of George on my phone.
He was standing beside me on our twentieth anniversary, one arm around my shoulders, smiling at the camera.
"Why wouldn't you tell me?"" I whispered.
Robert didn't interrupt.
I remembered the last Christmas we spent together.
George had been sitting in his favorite chair, wearing the red sweater I'd bought him.
He'd taken my hand and said, "Judy, promise me something. Never let anyone make you feel helpless just because you're getting older.""
I'd laughed.
"Who would try that?""
He hadn't laughed back.
"People you love can surprise you.""
At the time, I'd thought he was talking about his illness.
Now I wasn't so sure.
My phone rang again.
This time, it was Todd.
Robert suggested I answer.
"Mom, where are you?"" Todd demanded.
"At my attorney's office.""
"Why are you dragging Robert into our family problems?""
I looked at the forged documents.
"Because someone has been using my identity.""
Todd exhaled sharply.
"Richard explained everything.""
I froze.
"Richard explained what?""
"About Dad's investment. You don't understand the situation.""
"Then explain it to me.""
Todd lowered his voice.
"Look, Mom. Dad wanted the money used for the family. Richard has been managing it. We were just trying to organize everything.""
"Who authorized you to use my information for a $6.8 million loan?""
He didn't answer.
"Todd?""
"Mom, the loan was going to help us buy property. It was an investment.""
"Using my company?""
"You're not listening!""
I looked at Robert.
He was recording the details of the conversation in his notes.
I spoke slowly.
"Did you sign my name?""
Todd's voice became defensive.
"I was going to explain everything once the deal was finished.""
"That wasn't my question.""
He hung up.
I placed my phone on the desk.
For the first time, I wasn't simply disappointed in my son.
I was afraid of what he might have done.
Robert closed the folder.
"Judith, I want to arrange an independent audit of George's old investments. And until we know more, I recommend freezing any attempted transfers involving Rosedale Holdings.""
I nodded.
"Do whatever is necessary.""
Then I looked at him.
"One more thing.""
"Yes?""
"I still want to move into Willow Creek on Sunday.""
Robert raised an eyebrow.
"Even with all this happening?""
I glanced at George's photograph.
"Especially with all this happening.""
Because I was beginning to understand something.
My son and his uncle hadn't simply decided that I was inconvenient.
They had decided that I was someone they could take advantage of.
And I wasn't going to let them.
But as Robert walked me toward the elevator, his assistant hurried over with another envelope.
"Mr. Hayes, this arrived by courier. It was marked urgent.""
Robert opened it.
His expression changed immediately.
"What is it?"" I asked.
He turned the first page toward me.
It was a copy of a document dated two months before George died.
At the bottom was my husband's signature.
May you like
And above it was a handwritten sentence:
If anything happens to me, Judith must never be told about the second account.
