Chapter 2: The Forty-One Thousand Dollar Transfer
Twenty minutes later, Grandma's phone rang.
We were still sitting in the break room. I'd completely forgotten about the breakfast rush.
She answered immediately.
“Emmett?””
“June, I've found the transaction.””
My stomach tightened.
Grandma switched on the speaker.
“Tell us.””
“On December 18, 2019, Elwood withdrew $41,200 from his personal investment account.””
I grabbed the edge of the table.
“That's exactly what you said?””
“Yes,” Emmett replied.
“The transfer went directly into Richard's personal checking account.””
Grandma closed her eyes.
“Was it marked for Halley's education?””
“Yes. The memo clearly states, 'Halley's education fund—complete loan payoff.''”
I felt something cold move through my chest.
“Can you see whether the money ever reached my loan company?””
Emmett paused.
“That's the problem.””
Grandma leaned closer to the phone.
“What problem?””
“Our office received a document in January 2020 confirming that Halley's loans had been paid in full. It was submitted by Richard.””
I stared at Grandma.
“What?””
Emmett continued.
“The document appeared legitimate at the time. However, after comparing it with the original financial records, I have reason to believe the confirmation may have been altered.””
Grandma's fingers tightened around the phone.
“Are you saying my son forged a document?””
“I'm saying we need to investigate before making that conclusion.””
I stood up.
“Can you send us a copy?””
“I've already sent it to June's email. But there's something else.””
The room went silent.
“What else?”” Grandma asked.
“Elwood left written instructions. Richard was required to provide proof that the entire loan balance had been paid directly to the lender.””
“And did he?””
“No, ma'am. He submitted the confirmation, but never the bank receipt or the lender's transaction statement.””
Grandma looked at me.
I felt sick.
My grandfather had trusted his son with enough money to change my life.
And my father had apparently given him a piece of paper instead of proof.
A notification appeared on Grandma's phone.
She opened the attachment.
The document showed my name, my student loan account number, and a statement claiming a balance of zero.
Except I recognized something immediately.
“My account number is wrong.””
Emmett went quiet.
“What do you mean, Halley?””
I pointed at the screen.
“The last four digits are 3817. My actual account ends in 8317.””
Grandma slowly lowered the phone.
“Dear God.””
I looked at the date.
January 7, 2020.
That was the year I'd received my first collection notice from the loan servicer.
I'd called Dad that evening, panicking because I couldn't understand why the balance hadn't changed.
He'd told me the loan company was probably updating its system.
“Don't worry about it,” he'd said.
“These companies are slow.””
I remembered asking whether he could help me call them.
He'd snapped.
“Halley, I'm not your personal assistant. Handle your own responsibilities.””
I had apologized.
I had actually apologized.
“Grandma,” I whispered, “he knew.””
She didn't answer.
A few seconds later, Emmett spoke again.
“I've also located Elwood's handwritten ledger.””
Grandma sat up.
“Read it.””
“December 18, 2019. Halley's education fund. Forty-one thousand, two hundred dollars.””
I closed my eyes.
Then Emmett continued.
“There's another entry immediately beneath it.””
“What does it say?””
“Bryce. Additional seventy-five thousand dollars. Richard to explain.””
Grandma's mouth fell open.
I stared at the phone.
“Seventy-five thousand?””
“Yes.””
“Was that money also transferred to Dad?””
“It appears so.””
I slowly sat down.
Bryce had always told me he'd received a scholarship.
He'd complained about his demanding professors and expensive textbooks, but whenever I visited him in California, he lived in a beautiful apartment with granite countertops and a balcony overlooking the city.
He drove a new SUV.
He wore designer watches.
Once, he'd posted a photograph from a luxury resort in Hawaii.
I'd assumed Dad was helping him because he was the youngest.
Now I wondered whether my grandfather's money had paid for all of it.
Grandma wiped her eyes.
“Elwood must have known something wasn't right.””
“There's more,” Emmett said.
“What?””
“The additional $75,000 was supposed to be documented separately. I can't find a complete explanation for that transfer either.””
Grandma stood.
“I'm coming to your office tomorrow.””
“June, I recommend that we first—”
The diner door opened.
I heard a familiar voice.
“Where's my daughter?””
My stomach dropped.
Dad.
He walked toward the break room wearing his expensive gray jacket and carrying his car keys.
His expression was tight.
“Halley, we're leaving.””
Grandma stepped between us.
“Richard, we need to talk.””
“Not here, Mom.””
“Where would you prefer? Your house? Where you can tell us another story?””
His eyes flashed.
“Watch your mouth.””
Grandma lifted the bank statement.
“Forty-one thousand, two hundred dollars. Elwood gave you this money for Halley.””
Dad glanced at the paper.
Then he laughed.
A short, dismissive laugh.
“Are you seriously doing this?””
I stood.
“Dad, did you pay my student loans?””
He looked at me.
“Of course I did.””
“Then why do I still owe thirty thousand dollars?””
“Because you don't understand how interest works.””
Grandma's voice rose.
“Don't insult her intelligence.””
Dad pointed at her.
“Mom, you have no idea what you're talking about.””
Then his eyes fell on the phone.
He recognized Emmett's name on the screen.
His face changed.
“Hang up.””
Grandma didn't move.
“Richard, there's another seventy-five thousand dollars.””
For the first time, my father looked genuinely frightened.
He stepped toward her.
“Mom, give me that statement.””
She pulled it away.
“No.””
Dad reached for the phone.
“Hang up now!””
Emmett's voice came through the speaker.
“June, please don't disconnect. I've just discovered something in the estate records.””
Grandma held the phone tighter.
“What?””
Emmett took a breath.
“Three months before Elwood died, ownership of the family's forty-acre orchard was transferred to Richard.””
I looked at Dad.
He had gone completely still.
Then Emmett added:
“The sale price was listed as one dollar.””
Grandma's hand flew to her mouth.
May you like
But it was the next sentence that made my blood run cold.
“The transfer document carries Halley's signature.””
