Chapter 5 - The Bank Collapses the Hive
By Friday morning, the legal dominoes were falling faster than my mother could handle.
The bank's internal fraud division completed its expedited preliminary investigation into the $112,000 stolen from my savings account. The forensic handwriting expert confirmed that over forty counter withdrawal slips had been blatantly forged by Evelyn.
Because the bank had failed its basic security protocols by disbursing cash to an unauthorized party without calling the primary account holder, the bank legally reinstated the entire $112,000 back into my primary account immediately to avoid a public lawsuit.
However, the bank wasn't going to take the loss. Their legal team immediately filed a formal criminal complaint of grand larceny and financial fraud against Evelyn with the State Prosecutor's Office.
At noon, I received a frantic, weeping call from my mother. The arrogance was gone, replaced by hyperventilating panic.
"Emily... please... please help us..." she sobbed into the receiver. "The police came to the house... they served me with a warrant... I have to turn myself in on Monday for arraignment... And Tyler is still in jail! They won't let him out unless we pay $5,000 to a bail bondsman! We don't have any money left!"
I sat at my executive desk at work, reviewing a commercial audit file, completely unfazed by her hysterics.
"You spent all the money, Mom," I said smoothly. "You spent it on steaks, imported beer, Tyler's car payments, and his online gambling. You reaped what you sowed."
"We're your parents!" she screamed, her voice cracking. "We raised you! Where is your Christian forgiveness? How can you let your brother rot in a cell and your mother go to prison?"
"Forgiveness requires repentance, Mom," I answered. "Not once since this started have you asked how Khloe was doing. Not once have you expressed remorse for letting your granddaughter starve at school while you used her lunch money to buy beer. You aren't sorry you hurt Khloe. You aren't sorry you robbed me. You're only sorry that you finally got caught."
"I'll sell the house!" she bargained desperately. "I'll give you whatever you want! Just tell the prosecutor it was a misunderstanding! Tell them you gave me permission to sign your name!"
"If I lie to federal investigators, that is perjury, Mom. I am an insurance risk assessor; my entire career relies on my legal integrity. I will not commit a felony to cover up yours."
"You're a demon!" she shrieked. "I wish I had never given birth to you!"
May you like
"The feeling is becoming entirely mutual," I said quietly. "My lawyer will be in touch regarding the partition sale of the house. Have a good afternoon, Evelyn."
I hung up the phone and blocked her number permanently.
