Chapter 4 - The Woman Who Never Came
The next payment was stopped before it went out.
That was the first good news.
The second was that Westbridge agreed to preserve the records tied to the disputed requests.
Everything else got worse.
Gabriel sat across from Lena Ortiz, an attorney Daniel recommended, with the blue envelope between them.
“Start with what you personally know,” Lena said.
“My daughter ate on the floor. My mother intercepted my calls. These services never happened.”
“Good. Keep those facts separate from what we still have to prove.”
The payments had gone to a small business called Harbor Home Support.
Four quarterly disbursements.
Eighteen thousand four hundred fifty dollars each.
Attached invoices described regular visits by a developmental support worker named Ellen Brooks.
Gabriel read her name aloud.
“I’ve never met her.”
“Does Amelia know her?”
“I haven’t asked.”
“Ask simply. Don’t suggest an answer.”
That afternoon, while Amelia colored beside him, Gabriel mentioned the name.
“Do you know somebody named Ellen Brooks?”
Amelia shook her head.
“Did anyone come to help you with homework at the house?”
“No.”
“What about while I was away?”
“Grandma said we didn’t need strangers knowing our business.”
He thanked her and changed the subject.
An hour later, Rachel arrived.
“I found Ellen,” she said.
Gabriel stood.
“How?”
“She worked with Mom years ago. I recognized the name.”
They called her together.
Ellen sounded confused.
“I haven’t provided private care in almost two years.”
“Have you ever worked with my daughter, Amelia Hart?”
“No.”
Gabriel closed his eyes.
Rachel put a hand over her mouth.
Lena later arranged to obtain Ellen’s account and supporting records.
For the first time, the fraud had a shape Gabriel could point to.
Someone had put a real woman’s name on work she hadn’t done.
That evening, Marlene called from Everett’s phone.
“You’ve upset Ellen.”
Gabriel stepped into the laundry room.
“How did you know we spoke to her?”
Silence.
Then, “People talk.”
“Did you use her name?”
“You needed help. I provided it.”
“Then why didn’t the invoices say Marlene Hart?”
“You’re being deliberately cruel.”
“No. I’m being specific.”
Her breathing sharpened.
“You think Nora would want you treating me this way?”
“Don’t use her.”
“Somebody had to look after that girl.”
Gabriel looked through the doorway at Amelia and Biscuit.
“Yes,” he said. “Somebody did.”
When the call ended, Rachel remained at the kitchen table.
She was staring at the invoice.
“What?” Gabriel asked.
She pointed to the business address.
“That’s Mom and Dad’s old house.”
May you like
Then she looked up.
“The one they sold.”
