“The company documented when the request was made, how it was made, what information was supplied, and what account action followed.”
Rachel’s eyes tracked the page.
“Can I see it?”
“No.”
Her head snapped up.
“Why not?”
“Because you are the person who made the disputed request.”
That finally silenced her.
Mom whispered my name in warning.
I ignored it.
Rachel leaned back.
“Fine.
Then tell everyone what you think happened.”
“I don’t have to think.
You just admitted it.”
Her mouth opened.
Dad looked from her to me.
“Rachel, did you actually tell the insurance company you were Sarah?”
Rachel stared at him as if the question betrayed her.
“I already said I did.”
“But you used her Social Security number?”
“They asked for verification.”
“And her policy number?”
“Yes.”
Mom’s voice became smaller.
“How did you know all of that?”
For the first time, Rachel hesitated.
That question had not bothered her when I asked what she had done.
But being asked how she had obtained enough private information to pass identity verification changed the temperature in the room.
She picked up her wineglass, found it empty, and set it down again.
“We’re sisters.
I know things about her.”
“Not my Social Security number,” I said.
She glared at me.
“You’ve filled out forms around the family before.”
“That isn’t an answer.”
“Oh my God, Sarah.” She pushed her chair back slightly.
“Listen to yourself.
You’re interrogating me at dinner.”
“No.
I’m asking you to explain something you chose to announce at dinner.”
Dad pointed at the folder.
“What happens now?”
There it was.
The first useful question anyone had asked all night.
“The insurer froze the disputed change while it reviewed the request,” I said.
“My beneficiary designation was restored to its prior status pending their process.
I also locked down the policy against further unauthorized changes.”
Rachel’s face tightened.
“So you changed it back.”
“The insurer corrected an unauthorized request.”
“Same thing.”
“No.”
She stood.
Her chair scraped across the floor.
“I cannot believe you’re doing this to me after everything I’ve been through.”
