“I followed the money.”
Briana gave a sharp, humorless laugh.
“You expect us to believe she uncovered some grand conspiracy? She files reports in an office.”
“I investigate financial fraud,” I said.
The room became very still.
Nolan looked at Poppy.
Poppy looked at Briana.
My mother’s fingers closed around her pearl necklace.
Luke watched the realization move between them.
“For six years,” I continued, “companies have hired me to identify forged documents, shell vendors, fraudulent transfers, and concealed ownership.
Three months ago, I found a payment from Luke’s deployment account that neither of us authorized.
Then I found the second one.”
Briana shook her head.
“She’s lying.”
The agent placed a bank authorization form on the coffee table.
My mother’s signature was at the bottom.
Beneath it was a record showing that the login had originated from her home network.
“The bank retained device information and access logs,” the agent said.
“Your daughter did not create those.”
Briana turned to Luke.
“I needed the money.
Nolan’s business was struggling.
You were overseas.
We could not wait for you to answer every little question.”
“Taking money from my account was not a little question.”
“We are your family.”
Luke looked at my bleeding lip.
“So is she.”
Briana’s expression hardened.
“She has poisoned you against us.”
“No,” Luke said.
“She spent three months trying to make sure the evidence was real before she showed me.
She gave you more fairness than you gave either of us.”
Nolan moved toward the coffee table.
“I’m done listening to this.”
He reached for the loan documents, but one of the military investigators stepped between him and the folder.
“Do not touch the evidence.”
Nolan stopped.
His hands curled into fists at his sides.
“You people have no authority in this house.”
The federal agent looked down at the forged transfer packet Poppy had opened.
“That depends on what you were attempting to do when we entered.”
Poppy spoke too quickly.
“I didn’t prepare those.”
Nolan turned on her.
“Be quiet.”
“I only brought the folder because you told me everything was already arranged.”
“I said be quiet.”
The agent shifted his attention to her.
“Who prepared the documents?”
Poppy’s eyes darted toward Briana.
That single glance answered before anyone spoke.
My mother stepped forward.
“Those are drafts.
Families discuss property transfers all the time.”
I lifted the top page.
