Chapter 2: The Man Who Received $86,000
"Give me that paper.""
Vanessa reached for the withdrawal authorization.
I pulled it against my chest.
"No.""
"Michael, you're misunderstanding what you're looking at.""
"Then explain it.""
She glanced at Brianna.
"Can we discuss this privately?""
I almost laughed.
"Privately? You had no problem discussing rent with my daughter in front of everyone.""
Brianna dropped her shopping bags beside the counter.
"Mom, just tell him.""
Vanessa shot her a warning look.
"Not another word.""
I placed the bank document flat on the table.
"Emily, go upstairs and get your phone. Stay in your room for a little while.""
My daughter hesitated.
"Are you going to fight?""
I looked at her.
"No, sweetheart. I'm going to find out the truth.""
She nodded and walked away.
The moment her bedroom door closed upstairs, Vanessa lowered her voice.
"You're making a terrible mistake.""
"An $86,000 mistake?""
"That money wasn't exactly being used.""
I stared at her.
"It was for Emily's college.""
"And she's not even in college yet.""
"That doesn't make it yours.""
Vanessa pulled out a chair.
"Derek was going through a difficult financial situation. He needed help. The money was supposed to be temporary.""
I felt my jaw tighten.
"You gave my daughter's college savings to your ex-husband?""
"He's Brianna's father!""
"So what?""
"He helped raise Brianna. He deserves support.""
I looked at Brianna.
"Did you know about this?""
She folded her arms.
"Mom said it was family money.""
"Was it?""
Brianna looked toward the stairs.
"Emily wasn't going to need all that money anyway.""
The words landed harder than a slap.
I stepped toward her.
"How do you know what Emily needs?""
She shrugged.
"She can get scholarships. She gets good grades.""
"That's not your decision.""
Vanessa stood quickly.
"Michael, enough. You're humiliating Brianna.""
I pointed at the bank authorization.
"She's nineteen years old. She can hear the truth.""
I picked up my phone and called the bank.
Vanessa moved toward me.
"Don't do that.""
I put the call on speaker.
When the representative answered, I gave my account information and requested details about the withdrawal.
After verification, a woman named Patricia came on the line.
"Mr. Carter, I can see a transfer request for $86,000 dated September 14.""
My eyes remained on Vanessa.
"Who authorized it?""
"Your daughter's custodial education savings account was closed following receipt of the required authorization documents.""
I frowned.
"Was I listed as the custodian?""
"Yes, sir.""
"Then why is there a transfer?""
There was a pause.
"According to our records, the authorization was submitted with both the beneficiary's signature and the custodian's signature.""
I looked down at the paper.
"That's impossible. I never signed it.""
Vanessa's lips parted.
Patricia continued.
"Would you like me to place an urgent restriction on the remaining associated accounts and refer this for a fraud review?""
"Yes. Immediately.""
Vanessa slapped her hand against the table.
"Michael, hang up!""
Patricia stopped speaking.
I ignored my wife.
"Please tell me exactly where the funds were transferred.""
"To a checking account ending in 4821, held by Derek Collins.""
I closed my eyes for a moment.
The same man whose name appeared on the document.
"Can you provide the account opening date?""
"June 3.""
"And the transfer was September 14?""
"Correct.""
"Thank you.""
I ended the call.
Vanessa looked furious.
"You're treating me like a criminal.""
I placed the phone on the table.
"Then stop giving me reasons.""
She shook her head.
"You don't understand how difficult things have been. You travel constantly. I'm the one handling everything here.""
"I gave you $2,500 every month.""
"And it wasn't enough!""
I stared at her.
"The mortgage is paid. The utilities are paid. I cover the groceries. What could possibly require you to take another thousand dollars from a teenager?""
Vanessa looked down.
For one second, I thought she might finally answer.
Instead, she said, "You should ask your daughter what she's been doing with her paycheck.""
I frowned.
"What does that mean?""
Emily had returned to the kitchen. She was standing near the doorway, holding her phone.
Vanessa pointed at her.
"She's not as innocent as you think. She's been hiding money from us.""
Emily's eyes widened.
"I haven't!""
"Don't lie, Emily.""
I stepped between them.
"Enough. Nobody speaks to her like that.""
Emily came closer.
"Daddy, I can show you.""
She unlocked her phone and opened her banking application.
There were transfers labeled RENT, each one sent to Vanessa's personal account.
Twenty-five transactions.
Twenty-five months.
I counted them slowly.
"Emily, where did you get all this money?""
"I work at the grocery store after school. Sometimes I clean tables at the diner on weekends.""
"You're working two jobs?""
She nodded.
"Just when I can.""
I looked at her hands. They were red and rough around the knuckles.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
She began crying again.
"Because Vanessa said you'd think I was selfish. She said if I complained, you'd stop paying for my school supplies and clothes.""
I turned toward Vanessa.
"Did you threaten her?""
"I was setting boundaries!""
"She's a child!""
"She's almost eighteen!""
I felt my voice rising.
"Then why is Brianna allowed to spend thousands on shopping while Emily works six days a week to pay you rent?""
Brianna grabbed one of her bags.
"That's enough. I'm leaving.""
"You're not going anywhere until we finish this conversation.""
She stopped.
Then she said something I hadn't expected.
"Derek told Mom the money was his anyway.""
I looked at Vanessa.
"What?""
Brianna shrugged, apparently unaware of the damage her words had caused.
"He said you owed him.""
I took one step closer.
"Owed him for what?""
Vanessa's eyes filled with tears.
"Brianna, please.""
But I wasn't looking at her anymore.
I was looking at the name on the bank document.
Derek Collins.
Vanessa's former husband.
The man I'd met twice at family events.
The man who had once shaken my hand and thanked me for helping Vanessa give Brianna a stable home.
I called Emily's bank representative again and requested that the fraud investigation remain open.
Then I turned back to my wife.
"Tomorrow morning, we're going to find Derek.""
Vanessa shook her head.
"Don't.""
"Why?""
She gripped the edge of the counter.
"Because he didn't just take the money.""
I stared at her.
"Then what else did he do?""
May you like
She looked toward Brianna.
And Brianna suddenly began to cry.
