Chapter 4 - Unearthing the Skeletons
The forensic audit didn't take long once my brother, David, got his hands on the public records and corporate filings. David sat across from Liam and me at our dining table on Thursday evening, his laptop screen angled toward us, displaying a dense labyrinth of LLCs, shell companies, and suspicious wire transfers.
"Your brother-in-law is playing a very dangerous game," David said, adjusting his glasses and pointing to a highlighted transaction. "Connor isn't just a mid-level municipal lawyer. For the past four years, he’s been funneling city zoning bribes through a fake consulting firm registered under his mother’s maiden name—the exact same firm that handles acquisitions for the real estate board he sits on."
Liam stared at the screen, jaw slack. "Are you serious? That’s federal territory. That’s wire fraud and corruption."
"It's worse than that," David continued, clicking open a secondary folder. "Remember when your parents split their estate between you and Connor, Liam? Connor was supposed to be the executor of the trust. Well, look at this line item from eighteen months ago. Fifty thousand dollars mysteriously vanished from the family trust account, transferred directly into a personal brokerage account owned by... guess who? Paige."
My blood ran cold. That money was supposed to help pay for my father-in-law's specialized medical care and secure an inheritance for Miles and his cousins. Paige and Connor had stolen from their own family—from an ailing, elderly man—to fund their lavish lifestyle, designer bags, and country club dues.
"The arrogant prick thought nobody would ever check because everyone in the family treats him like the golden child," I whispered, a dark thrill of vindication washing over me. "He thought he was untouchable."
"He's very touchable," David grinned, closing the laptop. "If I hand this file to the federal prosecutor's office, Connor isn't just looking at disbarment. He’s looking at five to ten years in a federal penitentiary. And Paige? Accessory to fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion. Her precious white sundress won't look so pristine in an orange jumpsuit."
Liam rubbed the back of his neck, looking conflicted. "My parents... if this blows up publicly, it’s going to crush my mom and dad. My dad’s heart can barely handle normal family drama, let alone a federal indictment."
"Liam," I said, taking his hand firmly in mine. "Connor and Paige didn't care about your dad's heart when they stole his trust fund. They didn't care about your son's heart when they humiliated him on his birthday. They declared total war on our family. If we don't strike back with absolute finality, they will crush us into dust."
Liam looked down at our joined hands, then up at David. Slowly, a hard, resolute expression settled over his features. He nodded.
"Do it," Liam said quietly. "File the report. Let the chips fall where they may."
David packed up his laptop with a sharp snap. "Consider it done. The wheels are already in motion. But before the feds raid his office, I suggest we give Connor one final, elegant opportunity to hang himself with his own rope."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
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"This Saturday is your mother-in-law’s seventy-thirtieth birthday dinner at the Grandview Hotel," David reminded us with a sly smile. "The whole extended family will be there. Connor and Paige have already been bragging in the family group chat about the grand entrance they’re planning. Paige bought another designer bag—a Birkin this time—just to rub everyone's noses in it after the incident last week."
I smiled—a slow, razor-sharp smile. "Oh, this is going to be a birthday dinner they will never, ever forget."
