Chapter 13: Barbara’s Last Lie
“Who stole Natalie’s phone?””
Bradley didn’t answer immediately.
“Bradley.””
“My mother.””
I stared at the burning file on my screen.
“Barbara?””
“Natalie said Mom asked to borrow it in the hotel lobby. Then she disappeared.””
My mind raced.
“Why?””
“I don't know.””
“Yes, you do.””
He exhaled.
“I know pieces.””
“Then start putting them together.””
There was a long silence.
“My father never lost half a million dollars through his flooring company.””
“What?””
“That was the story Mom told us.””
“Where did it go?””
“I didn't know until recently.””
I gripped the hotel phone.
“Where?””
“She invested it.””
“In what?””
“A development project.””
Bradley sounded sick.
“Luxury vacation properties. Lake houses. Short-term rentals.””
I looked toward my laptop.
“Carter Development Holdings.””
“Yes.””
Barbara’s company.
The destination for the forged $350,000 loan.
“How long has she been doing this?””
“Years.””
“And Harold?””
“He thought Mom was handling their investments.””
My anger sharpened.
“You expect me to believe your father knew nothing?””
“He knew she moved money around. He didn't know where all of it came from.””
“What does Rebecca's ledger prove?””
“That Mom's first investment wasn't made with Dad's money.””
I went still.
“Whose money?””
“Yours.””
For several seconds, I couldn't speak.
“How much?””
“Twenty-five thousand.””
Seven years ago, twenty-five thousand dollars had been enormous to Carter Logistics.
I had skipped vacations.
Driven an old Honda.
Worked weekends.
Bradley continued.
“Mom convinced me we'd return it before you noticed.””
My voice turned quiet.
“You helped her.””
“Yes.””
The word landed differently now.
No excuse.
No denial.
Just guilt.
“Rebecca found it.””
“Yes.””
“So you threatened her.””
“Yes.””
“And Claire?””
“She unknowingly created the vendor access.””
I closed my eyes.
Every betrayal had started there.
“Why keep stealing?””
“Because Mom's project failed.””
Of course.
“She needed money to cover the first theft.””
“Yes.””
“And then more money to cover that.””
“Yes.””
A financial sinkhole disguised as family loyalty.
“What changed recently?””
“Mom's creditors started demanding payment.””
“And your solution was stealing $350,000 from me.””
Bradley went quiet.
“That part was my idea.””
At least he owned it.
“You planned to take my company too.””
“No.””
“I saw the files.””
“I was preparing for divorce.””
“While telling Vanessa we were already separated.””
Silence.
“I was angry at you.””
“That isn't an explanation.””
“No.””
His voice cracked.
“It's just the ugliest truth I have.””
I looked at the clock.
“Where is Rebecca?””
“I don't know.””
I called her.
No answer.
Again.
Nothing.
Fear replaced anger.
I contacted police and gave them everything I had.
The warehouse break-in.
The forged loan.
The stolen phone.
Rebecca’s name and address.
Then I called Natalie from Bradley’s phone because hers was gone.
She answered.
“Maddie?””
“Where’s Barbara?””
“We don't know.””
“Is Harold with you?””
“Yes.””
“Put him on.””
Harold’s voice came through.
“Maddie.””
“Did Barbara ever mention Rebecca Shaw?””
Silence.
“Harold?””
“Once.””
“When?””
“Years ago.””
“What did she say?””
“That Rebecca was dangerous.””
I nearly laughed.
“Dangerous how?””
“She said Rebecca was trying to destroy Bradley.””
Barbara had spent seven years building a story in which anyone who discovered the truth became the enemy.
“Where would Barbara go?””
“I don't know.””
“Think.””
Harold went silent.
Then Natalie spoke in the background.
“The old cabin.””
“What cabin?””
Harold answered.
“We owned a hunting cabin near Mill Creek. We sold it two years ago.””
“To who?””
He hesitated.
“A holding company.””
My pulse quickened.
“What company?””
“Carter Development.””
Of course.
I gave the information to police.
Then I called Rebecca again.
This time someone answered.
But nobody spoke.
“Rebecca?””
Silence.
Then breathing.
“Rebecca, say something.””
A woman's voice finally whispered.
“Madison?””
It was Rebecca.
“Are you okay?””
“Yes.””
“Where are you?””
“My car.””
“Where's your daughter?””
“With my sister.””
Relief washed through me.
“Barbara may be looking for you.””
“I know.””
“How?””
Rebecca inhaled.
“Because she came to my house.””
My heart stopped.
“When?””
“Twenty minutes ago.””
“What did she want?””
“The ledger.””
“Did you give it to her?””
“No.””
I heard something in Rebecca's voice.
Not fear.
Determination.
“Where is it?””
“Somewhere Barbara can never burn it.””
“Where?””
Rebecca paused.
Then said, “Your attorney's office.””
I almost laughed from relief.
“You already gave it to an attorney?””
“Three years ago.””
“Why?””
“Insurance.””
My knees weakened.
“What does it contain?””
“Every original transfer. Every altered invoice. Copies of emails.
Bradley’s messages. Barbara’s instructions.””
I closed my eyes.
Seven years of truth.
Preserved.
Rebecca continued.
“And Madison?””
“Yes?””
“There’s one page you need to see yourself.””
“What page?””
“The very first transfer authorization.””
My stomach tightened.
“Why?””
“Because Bradley didn't sign it.””
I stopped breathing.
“Then who did?””
May you like
Rebecca answered.
“Barbara did.””
