Chapter 6 - THE SISTER COMES HOME
“I didn’t approve a transfer.”
Olivia’s voice had lost every trace of humor.
“Check the amount,” Ethan said.
“I’m looking at it.”
The taxi’s turn signal clicked in the background.
Then she said, “My security key is at the house.”
“Where?”
“My bedroom safe.”
“Who can open it?”
“Me. And the household emergency override.”
Ethan looked toward the hallway.
Margaret controlled the override records.
Olivia told the driver to change destinations.
“I’m coming home.”
“First call the bank. Use the number you already have.”
Within twenty minutes, both siblings were speaking with the foundation’s banking team and Rachel.
The pending payment was stopped before release. Their credentials were frozen for replacement, and Grant’s payment authority was suspended.
That stopped the money.
It didn’t explain the years behind it.
Rachel arrived carrying a laptop and an expression that discouraged small talk.
“Don’t confront him again,” she told Ethan. “And don’t search personal devices yourselves. We preserve what belongs to you and let investigators handle the rest.”
“What about Maya?”
“She needs independent advice. Someone whose client is her.”
Ethan nodded.
Rachel studied him.
“That also means you don’t question her every time you feel impatient.”
He accepted that without arguing.
When Maya woke late that afternoon, a sandwich and a fresh glass of water waited beside her.
So did a handwritten note.
YOUR JOB AND PAY ARE NOT CONDITIONAL ON HELPING US.
—ETHAN
She read it twice.
Olivia reached the estate after dark.
She went straight to Maya’s room.
“I’m Olivia.”
“I know.”
“I didn’t approve those shifts.”
Maya held the blanket against her stomach.
“I know that now.”
Olivia’s face changed.
“I should have made sure people could reach me without going through Margaret.”
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Maya said, “She told us you hated complaints.”
“I complain professionally. Ask my brother.”
Maya almost smiled.
Olivia sat near the door.
“Can I ask you something about Tuesday?”
“One thing.”
“The man in the gray coat. Did he say anything?”
Maya’s expression shifted.
“He told her not to move the blue box with the others.”
“What blue box?”
“I didn’t see it. He said, ‘Your brother’s copies stay here.’”
Olivia went pale.
Maya noticed.
“What?”
Olivia stood slowly.
“Our father kept duplicate records in a blue lockbox.”
“He’s dead, isn’t he?”
“Yes.”
May you like
Olivia looked toward the hallway.
“And that box disappeared the night he died.”
