Chapter 7 - The Flight That Never Took Off
We could not simply stop an aircraft because we suspected that its passengers were hiding assets.
Maya explained that plainly as she contacted the financial institution reviewing the transfer and the attorneys representing the foundation's legitimate directors.
Celeste spoke with her own lawyer and began documenting withdrawals from accounts she was authorized to access.
Grant kept track of the flight through public aviation information without approaching the aircraft or trespassing.
By evening, Richard's itinerary had changed three times.
Natalie sent me a voice message from an unknown number.
"You don't understand what you're doing," she said. "Richard can fix everything if you stop attacking him."
Her voice was thinner than I remembered.
"He's not what you think."
I almost answered.
Instead, I sent the message to Maya.
At 7:42 p.m., she obtained confirmation that a civil application seeking preservation of certain disputed funds had been submitted.
The court would decide what temporary relief was justified.
No one promised a miracle.
That uncertainty made the evening unbearable.
Leah called with news that one veteran had paid nine hundred dollars to the fraudulent account before the foundation warning reached him.
He was a widower who had just moved his family into stable housing.
He apologized for the mistake.
I told Leah to assure him it was not his mistake.
Then I transferred nine hundred dollars from my personal emergency fund to cover his immediate expenses while the bank investigated the payment.
I had wanted revenge when I walked out of my anniversary party.
Now I wanted the money returned to the people it belonged to.
At 9:10 p.m., the flight showed no departure.
At 9:22, Grant reported that Richard's car had left the airport.
At 9:37, Celeste called.
"He came home," she said.
"Was Natalie with him?"
"No. He demanded that I sign a statement saying our marriage is sound and all our business dealings are legitimate."
"Did you sign?"
"I called my lawyer instead."
I heard a door close in the background.
Celeste's next words were almost inaudible.
"He's standing outside the room."
The call ended.
Grant urged me not to go to her house.
Maya contacted Celeste's attorney, who confirmed she was safe and had an arrangement for leaving the property.
The flight itself was never the main point.
Richard had tested whether he could move people and money before a judge examined the evidence.
He had learned that we were watching.
That night, Eric appeared at the door of my temporary hotel room.
He carried a paper bag containing my favorite cinnamon rolls.
I did not let him inside.
"I know you hate me," he said.
"That would require more energy than I have for you."
He placed the bag on the carpet.
"Richard is threatening me."
"With what?"
Eric looked directly into my eyes.
"He says if you don't withdraw the case, the foundation will be declared insolvent by Monday."
I folded my arms.
"Tell me something I don't know."
He lowered his voice.
"Your mother signed another agreement yesterday. It puts your father's house up as security."
For the first time, I understood that even after our public confrontation, Diane had chosen Richard again.
May you like
And on Monday, that choice might cost my parents everything.
