Daniel had apparently lied to everyone.
Different lies.
Different numbers.
Different promises.
I almost felt sorry for Curtis.
Almost.
Judge Mercer asked, “Why did you not report this earlier?”
“Because I wanted to know how far it went.”
Daniel laughed bitterly.
“Of course. She set a trap.”
“Yes.”
I faced him.
“I did.”
After the forged power of attorney appeared, I stopped confronting them.
I pretended to be tired.
Confused.
I let Daniel believe I had misplaced bank statements.
I asked him the same question twice in one afternoon.
On purpose.
I left an old account summary in an unlocked desk drawer.
The balance on it was wrong by exactly eighty thousand dollars.
Three days later, Daniel referenced that exact false number while speaking privately with Vanessa.
That told me where they were searching.
So I created another document.
A fake letter from my investment adviser.
It mentioned a nonexistent certificate of deposit worth $600,000.
I placed it inside Robert’s desk.
Two nights later, Daniel broke into the office.
He found it.
And searched for the account.
There was no account.
