My daughter and son-in-law abandoned me at my wife’s grave, 190 miles from home. “You’re a burden. Walk home,” he texted. Seconds later, my daughter added, “Don’t wait, Dad.”

Derek’s control.

 

At Vanessa’s urging, Bennett Freight Holdings hired Derek as operations director with a generous salary. He still stole.

 

Richard passed me another record.

 

“We’ve confirmed another transfer. Eighty-seven thousand dollars.”

 

“Authorized?”

 

“Not by you.”

 

The signature resembled mine, but the imitation wasn’t perfect.

 

I’d once taught Vanessa to recognize my handwriting on birthday cards. Now she appeared to have helped Derek forge it.

 

“Can we prove it?” I asked.

 

Richard nodded.

 

“We have the original authorization records. Your electronic approval credentials weren’t used.”

 

I studied the pages. This