Chapter 13 - The Deadline
Friday began with a voicemail from Martin.
“You have until six tonight to fix this.”
He didn't explain what “this” meant.
I saved the message.
Mom listened once, then asked me not to play it again.
The deadline matched the payment demand he'd made earlier.
Sloan instructed us not to respond to pressure or transfer money.
She also advised keeping the investigator informed about direct threats.
At noon Ellis called Mom personally.
He spoke with the false warmth of a man reading from a script.
“Your association with our organization is greatly appreciated.”
“My name was used without permission,” Mom replied.
“Then we'll need a conversation about correcting the misunderstanding.”
“You can speak to my attorney.”
There was a pause.
“I'm sure that isn't necessary.”
“It is to me.”
He ended the call.
My mother set her phone down and looked surprised by her own firmness.
I told her she had done well.
She shook her head.
“I did what I should have done months ago.”
That afternoon a certified letter arrived at Sloan's office.
It claimed Martin had invested substantial funds into improving Mom's home and demanded repayment before he'd leave.
The amount was precisely $185,000.
The same number as the proposed credit line.
There were no itemized invoices attached.
Sloan calmly explained that assertions were not evidence and that she would respond through the proper channels.
Meanwhile the investigator requested records from the fundraising entity.
He made no promises about timing or outcome.
We were learning that legitimate accountability was slower than television revenge.
It was also harder to bully.
At 5:42 p.m.
Mom's phone rang again.
Martin sounded frantic.
“Ellis says everything falls on me if the money doesn't come.”
“Then tell him the truth,” Mom answered.
“He has records.”
“So do I.”
A harsh silence followed.
Then Martin whispered, “You don't know what he has on Claire.”
At precisely six o'clock, an email arrived addressed to my commanding officer.
It accused me of using military rank to threaten a civilian.
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Martin had copied my mother.
He wanted her to watch him try to destroy my career.
