Chapter 9 - THE TESTIMONY
The investigation lasted several months.
The bank’s forensic team traced the diverted money through Northstar and
three related companies. The funds had been used to purchase vehicles,
pay personal debts, and cover deposits on a property in another state.
The forged mortgage documents were sent to a handwriting examiner. The
examiner concluded that my signature had been copied from an older loan
application.
The supposed divorce decree was confirmed to be entirely fabricated.
Peter Mason agreed to cooperate with investigators. He admitted that he
had helped Ryan create Northstar and redirect the construction payments.
He also confirmed that Ryan had planned to use the false affidavit to
claim I had abandoned the property.
The forged insurance application was referred to a separate fraud unit.
Ryan’s attorney contacted Grace with an offer. If I agreed not to pursue
certain civil claims, Ryan would sign a statement granting me primary
custody and would stop contesting the house.
Grace advised me not to respond immediately.
“What do you want?” she asked.
I thought about the years I had spent trying to keep the peace.
“I want the truth on record. I want Ellie protected. And I want him held
responsible for what he did.”
The case eventually went before a grand jury. I testified about the
marriage, the missing money, the threats, and the night of the wedding.
Isabella testified too. She admitted signing company documents without
properly reviewing them and explained how Ryan had misrepresented the
purpose of Northstar. She provided her emails and phone records.
Daniel also cooperated, confirming that Ryan had used his role in the
construction project to access confidential financial systems.
The prosecutor asked me whether I wanted Ryan punished.
I considered the question.
“I want the law to decide what he deserves,” I answered. “I want my
daughter to grow up knowing that no one has the right to frighten or
control her. I want to be able to work, pay our bills, and sleep without
wondering what he is planning.”
The prosecutor nodded.
The charges included fraud, forgery, identity theft, and conspiracy to
divert company funds. The separate insurance investigation remained
open.
Ryan pleaded not guilty.
He still insisted that everything had been done for the family.
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But this time, I was no longer the only person who knew what had
happened.
