Chapter 4 — Justice Walked Through the Door
The front door opened.
Three police officers entered.
Behind them came two investigators from Adult Protective Services and Child Welfare, followed by the forensic accountant I had hired before boarding my flight home.
Gertrude's confidence vanished.
"Daniel..." she whispered.
"You called the police?"
"No."
I shook my head.
"I called them three days ago."
My early return hadn't been an accident.
The construction company informed me my contract would end one week early.
Instead of calling home...
I hired lawyers.
Investigators.
Financial auditors.
Every bank account had already been frozen.
Every property record had already been reviewed.
The forensic accountant opened a folder.
"Mrs. Gertrude Lawson," he announced.
"Over the past five years you diverted approximately eighty-nine thousand dollars into personal accounts."
He turned another page.
"Luxury vacations."
"Designer jewelry."
"Vehicle purchases."
"Investment accounts under your daughter's name."
Prudence collapsed into a dining chair.
"This can't be happening..."
An officer stepped forward.
"Mrs. Lawson."
"Miss Lawson."
"You're both under arrest for financial exploitation, fraud, child neglect, and evidence of ongoing abuse."
May you like
Handcuffs clicked.
The loudest sound in the mansion.
