Elaine had perfected that skill.
She could make something vicious sound like a reminder about table manners.
“You also questioned whether my son was Daniel’s,” I said.
“Oh, don’t be dramatic.
Families tease.”
“Then consider this me becoming serious.”
Her voice hardened.
“What have you done to Daniel’s money?”
“Nothing to Daniel’s money.”
That stopped her.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
Before I could answer, another call appeared on my screen.
Martin.
I told Elaine, “My lawyer is calling.
Daniel can speak to him.”
Then I ended the call.
Martin’s voice was calm when I answered.
“The holds are in place,” he said.
“Nothing has been transferred away.
Access to the funds under your control is temporarily restricted while we review everything.”
That distinction mattered.
I had not emptied Daniel’s personal earnings.
I had not reached into anything that belonged solely to him and taken it.
I had stopped the continued use of money that came from me and from arrangements my father’s office had helped maintain.
For years, convenience had blurred the lines in Daniel’s mind.
Martin was now making those lines visible again.
“Has he called you?” I asked.
“Repeatedly.”
Despite everything, I smiled faintly.
“What did you tell him?”
“That I would discuss the relevant accounts with him once I had your authorization.”
“You have it.”
“All right.”
I heard paper moving on his end.
“Claire, I also want to make something clear.
The car, the condo payments, the business funding—we have records of where those funds originated.
He may not like the explanation, but he will not be able to claim he was never shown the source once we put the documents in front of him.”
My eyes moved to the folder on my tray.
Daniel had signed one of the hospital insurance forms that morning without reading it.
That was Daniel in miniature.
If a signature got him what he wanted, he signed.
If money appeared when he needed it, he spent.
If a question might disturb the story he preferred, he did not ask it.
“Send him what he is entitled to see,” I said.
“Nothing more.”
Martin paused.
“And the rest?”
“Keep the hold in place.”
“All right.”
Less than thirty minutes later, Daniel called again.
This time he was not shouting.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
I knew immediately that Martin had started explaining.
“Tell you what?”
“That the money came through your family.”
“You never asked.”
