The Woman Who Wanted the Money
Chapter 06 - The Woman Who Wanted the Money
Julia took the forged letter to the county attorney, but Vivian's lawyer called it a clerical error. A corrected copy appeared the next day, dated one week before the accident. The signature remained convincing.
Emma knew it was fake.
"My mom made her G like a little bird," she told Julia during a school visit. "That G looks like a hook."
It was a child's observation, but a document examiner later agreed. Someone had traced Grace's signature from an old mortgage form.
Julia began examining the estate. Grace had carried a life insurance policy worth four hundred thousand dollars, intended for Emma's education and care. Under temporary guardianship, Vivian could request reimbursement for housing, private schooling, therapy, transportation, and "special supervision." She had already submitted expenses totaling nearly twelve thousand dollars for a single month.
The marble house was not generosity. It was an invoice.
When confronted, Vivian remained calm. "Children are expensive. I am maintaining the lifestyle my sister wanted for her daughter."
"Grace lived in a two-bedroom rental and drove a ten-year-old car," Julia said.
Vivian's eyes hardened. "Grace lacked ambition."
That evening, Emma found Rosa crying in the laundry room. Vivian had fired her for "interfering with family matters."
Rosa knelt and held Emma's hands. "Your mother came here two weeks before she died. They argued in the study. Your aunt wanted papers from the music box. Your mother refused."
"What papers?"
"I don't know. But your mother said, 'Luke was right about Cal, and I can prove it.'"
Emma had heard the name Calvin Briggs before. He owned a towing company, sponsored town events, and appeared in photographs with the mayor. On the Steel Saints' old club photo, he stood beside Luke with one hand on his shoulder.
That night, Vivian entered Emma's room carrying warm milk. Her voice was suddenly gentle.
"I know you've been frightened," she said. "You deserve the truth. Mason Reed caused your father's death. The box contains proof, and he wants to destroy it."
Emma's heart pounded. "Then why do you want the key?"
Vivian sat beside her. "To protect you."
"Like you protected Mom?"
The milk glass struck the nightstand too hard. A crack appeared near its base.
Vivian stood. "Your mother was stubborn. It cost her more than she understood."
After she left, Emma opened the drawer where she had hidden Luke's copied letter. On the back, she wrote three words in purple crayon:
May you like
ROSA KNOWS SOMETHING.
Then she folded it into a paper star and hid it inside her shoe.
