Chapter 8 - The account I couldn’t find
I knew immediately which account the unidentified man meant.
For six weeks, one number had appeared repeatedly throughout Julian’s records.
Payments entered.
Then disappeared.
Always in amounts small enough to avoid immediate attention.
Collectively, they totaled more than $1.8 million.
I had traced the funds through three entities.
Then lost them.
Now I understood why.
The missing records were likely inside Julian’s safe.
Judge Thorne asked whether I had shared my findings with law enforcement.
“Not yet.”
“Why?”
“Because this morning was supposed to be a custody hearing.”
Julian’s attorney looked increasingly ill.
Judge Thorne asked him directly:
“Counsel, were you aware of any forged signatures?”
“No, Your Honor.”
“Hidden accounts?”
“No.”
“Any plan involving the minor child?”
“Absolutely not.”
He turned toward Julian.
“What did you tell me?”
Julian whispered:
“Nothing illegal happened.”
That answer changed something between them.
His own lawyer requested a private conference.
Then withdrew from representing him in matters that could involve potential criminal exposure while remaining subject to the court’s procedural rulings regarding the family case.
Julian looked stunned.
“You can’t leave me now.”
His attorney stared at him.
“You should stop talking.”
Meanwhile, Chloe began crying.
Not dramatically.
Quietly.
She kept glancing toward the closed doors.
Judge Thorne noticed.
“Ms. Mercer, is there something you wish to say?”
Julian snapped:
“She has nothing to say.”
Chloe looked at him.
Then at Maya.
Then at me.
“There’s another safe.”
Julian’s face emptied.
“What?”
Chloe swallowed.
“The one in the office isn’t where he keeps the real records.”
Julian lunged from his chair.
The bailiff intercepted him immediately.
“Shut your mouth, Chloe!”
Maya screamed.
I covered her ears.
May you like
And Chloe finally said:
“I’m done protecting you.”
