Chapter 13 - Robert’s Own Voice
Robert’s recorded voice filled the storage room.
“Yes, I authorize all three transfers.”
The bank employee asked him to confirm his security phrase.
Robert answered clearly.
Nina heard everything through Thomas’s phone.
“Send that recording to me.”
Nolan forwarded the file.
Robert’s smile disappeared.
Nina spoke rapidly.
“The verification proves the transfers were initiated by someone under active investigation.”
“I can force an emergency hold.”
The countdown reached one minute.
Thomas watched the numbers fall.
Fifty-nine.
Fifty-eight.
Fifty-seven.
Rebecca held his hand.
Samuel held Rebecca’s.
Jacob stood beside Samuel.
Robert moved suddenly.
He pulled free from the officer holding him and lunged toward the computer.
Nolan intercepted him.
Robert knocked a lamp from the table.
The bulb shattered.
He reached for the black ledger.
Detective Ellis caught his wrist.
Robert twisted away and grabbed a metal wastebasket.
He dumped the papers into it.
Then he reached for the lighter still inside his pocket.
Thomas knocked the lighter from his hand.
It slid beneath the table.
Robert struck Thomas in the shoulder.
Thomas did not hit him back.
He wrapped both arms around his father and forced him away from the documents.
“Stop.”
Robert struggled wildly.
“You spoiled everything.”
“You were supposed to sign.”
“You were supposed to protect the name.”
Thomas held him until the officers regained control.
Robert’s breathing became ragged.
“You think those children will thank you?”
“They will grow up weak.”
“They will waste everything you built.”
Thomas looked toward Rebecca, Samuel, and Jacob.
“They are already stronger than you.”
The countdown reached ten seconds.
Nina’s voice came through the phone.
“I have submitted the emergency hold.”
Nine.
Eight.
Robert smiled bitterly.
“It will not be fast enough.”
Seven.
Six.
Helen stared at the computer.
Five.
Four.
Thomas pulled the children close.
Three.
Two.
The screen changed.
TRANSFER SUSPENDED.
Rebecca let out a breath.
Samuel began crying from relief.
Jacob buried his face in Thomas’s shirt.
Nina spoke again.
“All three accounts are frozen.”
“The funds are safe.”
Thomas closed his eyes.
“Thank you.”
Robert sagged between the officers.
For the first time that evening, he looked old.
Detective Ellis collected the ledger.
“You are under arrest for suspected fraud, forgery, attempted theft, evidence tampering, and child endangerment.”
Helen lifted her head.
“I did not forge anything.”
Conrad stood behind her.
“You prepared the trust petitions.”
Helen turned toward him.
“You promised those could not be traced.”
Detective Ellis looked at Conrad.
He nodded.
“I have emails.”
Helen’s knees nearly gave way.
As the officers led Robert and Helen away, Robert looked back at Thomas.
“You cannot remove me from this family.”
Thomas stood with his children.
“You removed yourself.”
Robert disappeared beyond the garden path.
Thomas thought the danger had ended.
Then Nina spoke quietly through the phone.
“Thomas, there is one more account.”
“What account?”
May you like
“It is in Rebecca’s name.”
“And someone withdrew the entire balance yesterday.”
