Chapter 3 - Leah’s Missing Phone
Sarah wrapped one arm around Leah while protecting her abdomen with the other.
“How long?”
“Since yesterday morning.”
Sarah looked at Derek.
“You told me she left.”
“She was hysterical.”
Leah laughed weakly.
“I caught him transferring money.”
Frank opened the guest-room curtains.
Cold daylight entered.
On the floor lay Leah’s handbag.
Empty.
Her charger had been broken.
Her shoes were missing.
Derek had taken everything she needed to leave or call for help.
Leah pointed toward the top shelf.
“He hid my phone up there.”
Frank retrieved it.
The screen was cracked but functional.
There were twelve unsent messages addressed to Sarah.
Photos of bank records.
A video of Derek dragging a metal file box from the garage.
An audio clip recorded through his office door.
Derek’s voice said:
“If Frank finds out where the money came from, we lose everything.”
Sarah looked toward her father.
“What money?”
Frank removed another photograph from his envelope.
It showed a withdrawal slip bearing Sarah’s signature.
She stared at it.
“I never signed that.”
“I know,” Frank said.
Derek shook his head.
“It’s a digital authorization.”
“Forged,” Leah said.
Derek turned on her.
“You don’t know anything about the business.”
“I know Sarah’s pregnancy account is empty.”
The room became still.
Sarah had saved money for unpaid maternity leave.
Nearly seventy thousand dollars.
Derek told her the account was untouched.
She had trusted him because severe fatigue and a difficult pregnancy made paperwork feel impossible.
“How much is left?” she whispered.
Leah looked down.
“Four hundred and eighteen dollars.”
Sarah held the sofa for balance.
Derek moved toward her.
“It was an investment.”
Frank stepped between them.
“Do not touch her.”
Derek’s voice rose.
“I was trying to secure our future.”
“With her signature?” Frank asked.
Derek did not answer.
Leah handed Frank her phone.
“There’s more.”
The account had not only funded Derek’s failed business.
Some of the money had gone to an organization Frank recognized immediately.
May you like
The Vance Fallen Marines Foundation.
A charity established in memory of Sarah’s older brother.
