Chapter 7: My Brother Was Part of the Plan
“Bryce.””
My grandfather's voice echoed through the old red barn.
I stared at the laptop screen.
The video continued.
Grandpa adjusted his glasses and looked directly into the camera.
“I don't know how much Halley has been told about the money, but I know Bryce was present when Richard arranged the fraudulent property transfer. I also know Bryce received money from the education fund.””
Grandma covered her mouth.
Emmett leaned closer to the screen.
Grandpa continued.
“On October 14, 2020, Bryce brought a document to the orchard claiming his sister had authorized the sale. I asked him directly whether Halley had signed it.””
The recording paused briefly.
Then Grandpa's voice became sharper.
“He told me she had.””
I felt my stomach twist.
My grandfather looked down at a paper in his hands.
“I later discovered that Halley was attending a certification course in Denver that day. She couldn't possibly have signed the document in front of the notary.””
I whispered, “He knew.””
Grandma squeezed my shoulder.
“He knew you were innocent.””
On the screen, Grandpa took a long breath.
“I confronted Bryce. He told me his father had instructed him to handle the paperwork. He claimed he didn't know anything about the signature being false.””
Emmett paused the recording.
“That's important. Your grandfather was documenting what Bryce told him.””
I looked at the screen.
“Does this mean Bryce could be in trouble, too?””
Emmett nodded carefully.
“If the evidence is authenticated, his involvement could have serious consequences. We need to establish exactly what he knew and when.””
Grandma looked devastated.
“Bryce was only twenty-three. Richard must have influenced him.””
I remembered my brother's graduation.
Dad had bought him a luxury watch.
I'd given him a card with fifty dollars inside because that was all I could afford.
Bryce had hugged me and said, “Thanks, sis. You're the best.””
Had he already known?
Had he looked me in the eyes while accepting my gift, knowing our grandfather had intended to pay my loans?
The video resumed.
Grandpa held up a folded document.
“This is the statement Bryce signed after I confronted him.””
Emmett immediately leaned forward.
“Stop.””
The screen froze.
There was Bryce's signature.
Beneath it was a handwritten admission.
I knew the money was intended for Halley's student loans. Dad said he would repay it before she found out.
My throat closed.
“He knew,” I whispered again.
Grandma sat down on an overturned wooden crate.
“Oh, sweetheart.””
I couldn't look at her.
I had spent years defending Bryce.
Whenever Dad criticized him for being irresponsible, I'd tell him Bryce was still young.
When Bryce borrowed money and forgot to repay me, I'd pretend it didn't matter.
When he laughed about my old car, I'd laugh along.
I had believed that underneath everything, we were still siblings who loved each other.
Apparently, I had been the only one protecting that relationship.
Emmett carefully copied the video and documents.
“We need to preserve everything. I also want to speak with Bryce before making any assumptions beyond what these records establish.””
I laughed bitterly.
“Why? So he can tell us Dad made him do it?””
Grandma looked at me.
“Halley, I know you're hurt.””
“I'm not just hurt, Grandma.””
My voice broke.
“I'm embarrassed. I defended him for years.””
She reached for my hand.
“You didn't do anything wrong by trusting your brother.””
Emmett closed the laptop.
“There is something else we should discuss.””
He opened the trust folder.
“The education trust contains a clause requiring the trustee to provide annual statements to the beneficiary once she turns twenty-one.””
I frowned.
“I'm twenty-nine.””
“Exactly.””
“Who was the trustee?””
Emmett turned a page.
My father's name appeared.
I felt dizzy.
“Dad controlled the trust, too?””
“According to these documents, yes.””
Grandma shook her head.
“Elwood appointed Richard because he thought his son would protect the children.””
Emmett looked uncomfortable.
“There's evidence that several withdrawals were made from the trust between 2019 and 2021.””
“How much?””
He examined the statements.
“Approximately $63,000.””
My heart began pounding.
“Where did it go?””
“Some transfers went to an account associated with Bryce. Others went to a business account Richard controlled.””
Grandma stood abruptly.
“That's enough. We need to stop him.””
Emmett raised a hand.
“We will take the appropriate steps. But we need to understand the complete financial picture first.””
My phone vibrated.
A message from Bryce.
Dad says Grandma is losing it. Call me.
I stared at the screen.
Another message arrived.
Whatever you found at the orchard, don't believe it.
I typed three words.
Did you know?
The typing indicator appeared immediately.
Then disappeared.
Then appeared again.
Finally, his response arrived.
We need to talk in person.
I looked at Grandma.
“He wants to meet.””
Emmett shook his head.
“Not alone. And not before we've secured the original evidence.””
I typed another message.
You have one chance to tell me the truth.
His response came less than a minute later.
Fine. But you need to know something about Dad.
I waited.
Then another message appeared.
Grandpa didn't discover everything before he died. Dad has another account, and the money from your loans wasn't the only thing he took.
My fingers went numb.
I looked up.
“Emmett, there's something else.””
He read the message.
Then his expression changed.
“What account?””
I turned the phone around.
He stared at it for several seconds.
Finally, he whispered:
“An account your grandfather never authorized?””
May you like
Bryce's next message appeared.
Ask Emmett about the $250,000 insurance policy.
