Chapter 8 - The Night Jason Lost Control
Jason slammed the truck door.
Mom immediately turned.
“Jason, no.”
He ignored her.
His eyes were fixed on me.
“You happy now?”
I didn’t move.
“Go home, Jason.”
“You got cops digging through my accounts.”
“You stole from me.”
“I borrowed money.”
“Borrowing requires permission.”
His jaw tightened.
Mom stepped between us.
“Jason, please.”
He pointed at me.
“You think you’re better than us because you work at some hospital?”
“No.”
“Because Aunt Patricia liked you more?”
“This isn’t about Patricia.”
“It’s always about Patricia.”
That surprised me.
Jason laughed bitterly.
“She treated you like you were special.”
“She treated me like I was responsible for my own life.”
“She left you money.”
“Yes.”
“And left me nothing.”
“Maybe she had a reason.”
That landed.
Jason stepped forward.
I backed toward the motel office, where cameras covered the parking lot.
He noticed.
“You recording this?”
“I don’t need to.”
I pointed above him.
“The motel is.”
He looked up.
His confidence flickered.
Mom grabbed his arm.
“Let’s go.”
Jason pulled away.
Then he said something he shouldn’t have.
“You’re never getting that money back.”
I stayed still.
“Why?”
“Because it’s gone.”
Mom’s face went white.
Jason realized too late.
I asked quietly, “Where did it go?”
“None of your business.”
“It became my business when you stole it.”
He laughed.
“You think thirty-eight grand is the problem?”
My skin went cold.
Mom whispered, “Jason.”
But he kept going.
“You have no idea how much money is involved.”
“Jason, stop.”
He looked at Mom.
Then at me.
And smiled.
“Ask Dad what he signed.”
Mom slapped her hand over her mouth.
Jason turned toward his truck.
I stared at her.
“What did Dad sign?”
“Nothing.”
“Mom.”
“Jason is upset.”
“What did Dad sign?”
She backed away.
I took out my phone.
“Should I call Detective Reed?”
Her expression collapsed.
“Laura, don’t.”
“What did Dad sign?”
She whispered the answer.
“The house.”
I stared at her.
“What about the house?”
She began crying again.
“Your father used it as collateral.”
“For Jason?”
She nodded.
“How much?”
“I don’t know.”
“Mom.”
Her voice became barely audible.
“One hundred and eighty thousand.”
The family home wasn’t theirs anymore.
Jason had gambled away their savings.
Then their credit.
Then their retirement.
Then my money.
And finally the house.
But the next morning, Detective Reed called with something even worse.
May you like
The signature on one of the loan documents wasn’t my father’s.
It was mine.
