Chapter 8: The Insurance Policy Nobody Mentioned
The number on my screen seemed unreal.
Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
I looked at Emmett.
“What insurance policy?””
He didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he opened another folder and searched through several estate documents.
Grandma watched him.
“Emmett, what is it?””
He finally found a page and placed it on the table.
“Your grandfather purchased a life insurance policy in 2017.””
Grandma nodded.
“I remember that. He said it was to protect the family.””
“How much was it?””
“Two hundred and fifty thousand,” Emmett replied.
I frowned.
“Who was the beneficiary?””
Emmett looked at the document.
“Originally, it was divided equally between June and the two grandchildren.””
Grandma stared at him.
“Then why have I never received anything?””
He turned the page.
“Because the beneficiary designation was changed in 2020.””
My chest tightened.
“To whom?””
Emmett didn't look up.
“Richard Overstreet.””
Grandma grabbed the paper.
“No. Elwood would never have done that.””
“That's why I want to examine the original beneficiary change form.””
I remembered Grandpa telling me about the policy.
He'd mentioned it during a Sunday dinner.
“If anything happens to me, sweetheart, your grandmother and the kids will be protected.””
I'd laughed and told him he was going to live forever.
He'd smiled.
“I intend to.””
Now I wondered whether Dad had somehow changed those arrangements without telling anyone.
Grandma looked at Emmett.
“Can Richard legally change the beneficiaries?””
“If he was the policy owner and followed the required procedure, potentially. But we need to verify the signature and the circumstances.””
I looked at the date.
June 2020.
That was four months before the orchard transfer.
“Can we get the insurance company to send us the original?””
“I've already requested the file.””
Emmett's phone rang.
He answered.
“Yes, this is Collins.””
He listened for nearly a minute.
Then his face tightened.
“Are you certain?””
Grandma stood.
“What?””
Emmett held up one finger.
“I understand. Please send the certified copy directly to my office.””
He ended the call.
“What happened?”” I asked.
“The insurance company located the beneficiary change form.””
“And?””
“The form contains a signature from Elwood.””
Grandma exhaled.
“Then he changed it himself.””
“Possibly. But the date is unusual.””
“What date?””
“February 22, 2021.””
My grandfather died on March 6.
Twelve days later, actually.
I remembered that final month.
He'd been weak, frequently confused by his medication, and unable to walk without assistance.
Grandma had cared for him around the clock.
“Was he mentally competent when he signed it?””
Emmett shook his head.
“I can't make that determination from a document. But the medical records may be relevant.””
Grandma's eyes filled.
“Richard was handling all his appointments.””
I felt sick.
Dad had been the person coordinating Grandpa's medication, insurance, and financial affairs during those final weeks.
He'd always insisted he was helping.
Emmett pulled out his phone.
“I want to contact the insurance company's fraud department and request that any remaining records be preserved.””
Then he looked at me.
“Halley, do you know whether Richard received the insurance proceeds?””
“I don't know.””
Grandma whispered, “He told me the policy had been canceled.””
Emmett looked up.
“He told you that?””
“Yes. After Elwood died, Richard said the premiums had become too expensive and there was nothing left to claim.””
I stared at her.
“Did you believe him?””
“I didn't have a reason not to.””
Emmett wrote something down.
“Then we need to establish whether the policy paid out.””
My phone vibrated again.
Bryce.
I can explain the insurance policy. Please meet me tonight.
I looked at Grandma.
She shook her head.
“Not without Emmett.””
I replied.
Tomorrow. With Grandma and Emmett present.
Bryce answered immediately.
No. Tonight. Dad doesn't know I contacted you yet.
That last sentence made my stomach tighten.
I showed Emmett.
He considered it.
“We shouldn't meet somewhere private. If Bryce has information, he can provide it through the attorney's office.””
I typed the response.
Tomorrow morning. Emmett's office.
Bryce sent back:
Okay. But bring the original recording from Grandpa. I need to hear it.
I frowned.
“Why would he need to hear something he already knows about?””
Emmett shook his head.
“Don't send him anything.””
Then my phone rang.
It was Dad.
I almost declined the call.
But Grandma touched my arm.
“Answer it.””
I put the call on speaker.
“Hello?””
“Halley, where are you?””
“At Emmett's office.””
A long silence followed.
Then Dad laughed.
“So Mom really dragged you into this.””
“Dad, did you change Grandpa's insurance beneficiaries?””
His voice hardened.
“That's none of your business.””
“Did you take the money?””
“Watch what you're accusing me of.””
“Did you?””
He exhaled angrily.
“Your grandfather wanted me to have that policy. He knew I was the one keeping this family together.””
Grandma leaned toward the phone.
“Elwood told me that policy was for all of us.””
“Mom, stay out of this.””
“No. You have taken enough.””
Dad's voice dropped.
“You don't know what I've had to sacrifice.””
I stared at the phone.
“You sacrificed my education?””
He didn't answer.
“You sacrificed Grandpa's orchard?””
Nothing.
Then he said something I would never forget.
“Your grandfather was going to give you everything. He never understood how irresponsible you were with money.””
My voice shook.
“So you decided to take it?””
“I protected the family's assets.””
Grandma stood.
“You stole from your own daughter!””
Dad suddenly shouted.
“BECAUSE I HAD TO PAY OFF SOMETHING ELSE!””
Silence.
I looked at Emmett.
“What something else?””
Dad realized what he'd said.
“Forget it.””
“Dad, what did you pay off?””
“Don't call me again until you've calmed down.””
He hung up.
Emmett immediately began writing.
Grandma looked at me.
“What could Richard possibly have been paying off?””
Before I could answer, Bryce sent another message.
Dad owes someone a lot more than $250,000.
May you like
Then a second message arrived.
And that person knows where the orchard money went.
