Chapter 17 - The Interview
The detective’s name was Monica Reyes.
She met Marcus in a conference room with David present.
The prosecutor did not attend.
Detective Reyes began with the D&C loan.
“Did you write this letter?”
“No.”
“Did you authorize Danielle to write it?”
“No.”
“Did you intend to invest seventy-five thousand dollars?”
“No.”
“Did you know the lender received this?”
“No.”
Then came Ashford.
“Did you authorize Danielle to replace Parkland Property Services?”
“No.”
“Did you approve Brightline Renovation Services?”
“No.”
“Did you know Kevin March was receiving funds?”
“No.”
“Did you sign these invoice approvals?”
“No.”
“Did you authorize Danielle to use your electronic signature?”
“Not for this.”
Reyes looked up.
“Had she used it before?”
Marcus hesitated.
“Yes.”
“For what?”
“Household things. Insurance forms. Some company paperwork when I was recovering from surgery.”
“With permission?”
“Yes.”
“Did you revoke permission?”
“Not formally.”
David interjected.
“Permission for specific administrative tasks is not blanket authorization.”
Reyes nodded.
“I understand.”
Then the detective asked about Nia’s trust.
Marcus felt the shame return.
“Did Danielle directly access the trust?”
“Not as trustee.”
“How did distributions happen?”
“She prepared expense summaries. I approved them.”
“Did you review receipts?”
“Not adequately.”
“How many distributions?”
“I don’t know the exact count.”
“Approximate amount?”
“Fifty-three thousand over eighteen months.”
“Did you believe they were for Nia?”
“Yes.”
“Were they?”
“Some.”
“And others?”
“No.”
Reyes watched him carefully.
“Did any money benefit you?”
Marcus thought.
“Some went through our household account. It may have paid household bills.”
“So yes.”
“Yes.”
David glanced at him, approving the honesty.
Reyes asked, “Why are you cooperating?”
Marcus almost laughed.
“What answer are you expecting?”
“I’m asking.”
“Because someone used my daughter’s money and my identity.”
“Your wife.”
“Yes.”
“You’re divorcing.”
“Yes.”
“You understand that gives you a personal motive.”
“Yes.”
“Do you want Danielle prosecuted?”
Marcus stared at the table.
“I want you to know what happened.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
Marcus looked up.
“I have three children.”
Reyes waited.
“Two of them love Danielle because she’s their mother.”
“And?”
“I don’t want to use criminal charges as revenge.”
“That still doesn’t answer.”
Marcus took a breath.
“If the evidence shows a crime happened, I’m not going to lie to protect her.”
Reyes nodded.
That seemed to be enough.
After the interview, Marcus sat in his truck for ten minutes before driving home.
A message from Nia waited.
It was a photo.
Her silver sneakers were muddy.
sorry
He called.
“What happened?”
“I stepped in a puddle.”
“Okay.”
“They were expensive.”
“They are shoes.”
“Mom Danielle said I ruin everything.”
Marcus closed his eyes.
“When did she say that?”
“A long time ago.”
“Nia, listen to me.”
“What?”
“If shoes never get dirty, it means you’re not going anywhere.”
She was quiet.
“So I’m not in trouble?”
“No.”
“Can I jump in more puddles?”
“Let’s not weaponize the lesson.”
She giggled.
Marcus laughed for the first time all day.
When he arrived home, Nia was outside with Jordan.
Both had muddy feet.
Caleb stood on the porch.
“I told them you didn’t mean on purpose.”
“I appreciate you.”
Nia ran toward Marcus.
He stepped back.
“Absolutely not.”
She chased him.
He let her catch him.
Mud hit his pants.
He pretended outrage.
The children screamed with laughter.
For several minutes, they were simply a family in a yard.
Then Marcus looked toward the front door.
Danielle had once scheduled that lock to stop recognizing Nia.
He had changed every access code.
Now Nia’s code was the first one programmed.
Not because she mattered more.
Because she needed to know she belonged.
That evening David called.
“Danielle gave an interview.”
“To Detective Reyes?”
“Yes.”
“What did she say?”
“Her lawyer won’t share details. But they’re discussing a potential resolution.”
“What kind?”
“Restitution. Probation. Possibly a plea to fewer charges.”
Marcus sat down.
“No prison?”
“Too early to know.”
“What charges?”
“Identity-related fraud and diversion tied to property income are being discussed. The trust distributions are more complicated because you authorized them.”
Marcus nodded.
“Can I do anything?”
“Tell the truth. Nothing else.”
Marcus looked through the window at three pairs of muddy shoes by the door.
May you like
Truth sounded simple.
Living with it was not.
