Chapter 5 - The Account in Nora’s Name
Richard Hale had opened the first account in Nora’s name eleven years earlier.
She had been three.
Logan learned this at 9:20 the next morning.
He and Brianna sat across from attorney Rachel Kline, a trust-and-estates litigator recommended by one of Logan’s longtime clients.
Rachel was in her fifties, precise and unsentimental.
She studied the copies Nora had left behind.
“Do not contact Richard yet,” she said.
Brianna shifted.
“He’s my father.”
“Today he is also a potential adverse party.”
Rachel pointed to one page.
“This trust was created under state law. If these provisions are complete, adoption outside the bloodline does not eliminate Nora’s beneficial status.”
“So she was entitled to distributions?” Logan asked.
“Possibly. I need the complete instrument.”
Brianna stared at the table.
“My father was trustee.”
“For how long?”
“Seven years.”
“And now?”
“I am.”
Rachel looked up.
Logan turned slowly toward his wife.
“You’re the trustee?”
“Technically.”
“Technically?”
“My father resigned two years ago.”
“And you never thought that was important?”
“I signed what the family attorney gave me.”
Rachel’s expression hardened.
“You understand trustees owe fiduciary duties.”
“I understand now.”
“You understood enough to sign annual accountings.”
Brianna looked sick.
Rachel continued.
“If fraudulent reports were filed during your tenure, ignorance may not fully protect you.”
Logan looked at Brianna.
“How many?”
“Two.”
“Did you know they were false?”
“Not everything.”
“That is not an answer.”
Brianna whispered, “I knew some entries were wrong.”
Rachel sat back.
Silence filled the room.
Finally she said, “Then we have two separate issues. First, recovering trust assets. Second, determining your exposure.”
“And Nora?” Logan asked.
“Nora needs independent representation. She is a minor and a beneficiary whose interests may conflict with Brianna’s.”
The word conflict hit hard.
Brianna looked toward the window.
Rachel examined the old statements.
“There’s an account ending 4419.”
Brianna stiffened.
“What?”
“You recognize it.”
“My father told me it was an educational reserve.”
“In Nora’s name?”
“Yes.”
“Was Nora receiving the money?”
“No.”
Rachel looked at Logan.
“This account received approximately $618,000 over eight years.”
“Where is it now?”
“We’ll need subpoenas or voluntary bank records.”
Brianna whispered, “I think I know.”
Both turned toward her.
She told them about a property in Connecticut.
Richard had purchased it six years ago through a holding company.
A lake house.
Family vacations.
Parties.
A place Richard frequently described as his reward for forty years of work.
Rachel stared at Brianna.
“You believe trust money purchased it?”
“I saw a wire transfer once.”
“How much?”
“Four hundred thousand.”
“From Nora’s account?”
“I didn’t know that then.”
“When did you realize?”
“Last year.”
“And you remained trustee.”
Brianna’s voice broke.
“Yes.”
Rachel closed the file.
“You need separate counsel.”
Brianna looked frightened.
“Are you saying I need a criminal lawyer?”
“I’m saying you need independent legal advice immediately.”
Logan rubbed his temples.
His phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
He answered.
“Hello?”
Silence.
Then a girl’s voice.
“Is this Logan?”
He stood.
“Nora?”
Brianna’s head snapped up.
“Please don’t let her hear me.”
Logan walked into the hallway.
“Okay.”
“I’m safe.”
“Where are you?”
“I’m not telling you yet.”
“Are you alone?”
“No.”
“With who?”
“Someone Aunt Miriam trusted.”
Logan exhaled.
“Nora, we’re trying to figure this out.”
“I know.”
“How?”
“She told me you would.”
“Who?”
“Aunt Miriam.”
Logan leaned against the wall.
“Nora, why did you come to the house?”
“To see if my mother would finally tell the truth.”
He had no answer.
“I gave her three days,” Nora continued. “She kept saying after Ava’s birthday.”
“And then Ava found you.”
“Yes.”
“Why tell Ava you were her sister?”
A pause.
“Because I was tired of pretending I wasn’t.”
Logan closed his eyes.
“That wasn’t Ava’s burden.”
“I know.”
Nora sounded ashamed.
“I’m sorry.”
“Where are you?”
“First answer something.”
“What?”
“Did Brianna tell you about the notebook?”
Logan frowned.
“What notebook?”
Silence.
Then Nora whispered:
“So she’s still lying.”
The call ended.
Logan returned to Rachel’s office.
Brianna saw his face.
“What did she say?”
Logan shut the door.
“She asked about a notebook.”
All color drained from Brianna’s face.
Rachel looked between them.
“What notebook?”
Logan waited.
Brianna’s hands began trembling.
“My father kept one.”
“What was in it?”
She looked at Logan.
“Every payment.”
May you like
“To whom?”
“Everyone he needed quiet.”
