Chapter 10 - THE ACCOUNT WITH MY NAME ON IT
The attorney’s name was Melissa Grant.
She specialized in financial fraud and divorce litigation, and Professor Carter had recommended her personally.
Melissa studied the documents without interrupting.
When she finally looked up, her expression was calm.
That frightened me more than outrage would have.
“Do not speak to your husband alone again.”
“Why?”
“Because this is no longer simply a divorce.”
She turned her laptop toward me.
The account opened in both our names had received hundreds of deposits over four years.
Some came from my checking account.
Others came from transfers I didn’t recognize.
The total amount that had passed through it exceeded $900,000.
“I never knew this existed.”
“I believe you,” Melissa said.
“But legally, your name being attached means we need to understand where the money came from.”
Rachel leaned forward.
“Scholarship funds?”
“Possibly.”
Melissa pointed to several deposits.
“These appear shortly after foundation disbursements.”
My stomach tightened.
Nathan may have mixed Harlan Foundation money with my earnings.
Then moved portions into Project Northstar.
Why?
Melissa had a theory.
“To make illegitimate transfers look like ordinary marital funds.”
I felt cold.
“So I was camouflage.”
“Possibly.”
She was careful with every word.
But the pattern was horrifying.
Nathan hadn’t merely stolen from me.
He may have used my identity to hide financial activity.
“Can I prove I didn’t authorize this?”
“Your employment records, location history, payroll records and handwriting analysis may help.”
Melissa paused.
“But we need copies before anyone realizes you’re investigating.”
Rachel slid the flash drive across the desk.
“We have some.”
Melissa examined the files.
Then she saw one email and frowned.
“What?”
She rotated the laptop.
An email from Charles Harlan to Nathan.
Dated six months ago.
It said:
Your wife remains the only meaningful liability. Resolve that before residency begins.
Below it, Nathan replied:
Graduation day. She will sign.
I stared at the words.
That was why today mattered.
Nathan wasn’t impulsively ending our marriage.
Graduation day had been selected six months ago.
Melissa immediately called someone from her office and asked them to prepare a preservation notice for bank and foundation records.
Then my phone buzzed.
Nathan.
Another message.
WHERE ARE YOU?
Then another.
WE NEED TO FINISH THIS TONIGHT.
Melissa looked at the screen.
“Don’t respond.”
But then a third message appeared.
Emily, I know Daniel talked to you.
Rachel’s face changed.
“How does he know?”
I looked at her.
Then at Daniel’s name on my phone.
The warning from the library returned to me.
Don’t trust Daniel completely.
Seconds later, Melissa’s office receptionist knocked.
“There’s someone here asking for Emily.”
“Who?”
The receptionist swallowed.
“Daniel Brooks.”
May you like
And he wasn’t alone.
Nathan was standing beside him.
