Chapter 5: What Judith Needed and What Nathan Gave Her
I called David first thing the next morning.
"The transfers," I said.
"Can you trace the destination account?"
"Not directly.
But I can tell you the routing number points to a small regional bank in Greensboro.
Not a business account.
Personal."
Greensboro was where Judith lived.
"David, how long would it take to subpoena those records through the divorce proceeding?"
"Patricia can move on that within the week if the judge grants expedited discovery.
Given the pattern you've already documented, I'd say she has a strong argument."
I thanked him and hung up.
My mother was standing in the kitchen doorway with two mugs.
She handed me one without asking.
"Judith," I said.
My mother sat down across from me.
"How much?"
"Somewhere between twenty-two and twenty-six thousand.
Possibly more."
She wrapped both hands around her mug.
"He was protecting her."
"He was using my money to protect her.
Without telling me.
For almost two years."
My mother looked at me for a moment.
"Emily.
Did you ever know the catering business was in trouble?"
"I knew it had slow seasons.
I didn't know it was failing."
"Vanessa called me," my mother said quietly.
"About three years ago.
She wanted your father's contact information.
Said she was looking for investors."
I set my mug down.
"She called you?"
"I didn't give her anything.
I told her to speak to you directly." My mother's expression didn't change.
"She never did."
So Vanessa had been looking for outside money three years ago.
Nathan had started transferring funds twenty-two months ago.
The catering business had been bleeding long before anyone told me.
And no one had told me.
Not because they forgot.
Because they had decided, as a family, that my money was available to them and my knowledge was not required.
Patricia called at ten.
"I've reviewed everything David sent over.
I want to add a claim for dissipation of marital assets.
The transfers, combined with the concealment, give us a strong foundation."
"Nathan said the money was for his mother."
"Did he say that directly?"
"Not directly.
He said his mother would lose everything if this went to court.
I drew the conclusion."
"We'll let discovery confirm it.
In the meantime, I've received a letter from his attorney."
"Already?"
"He retained someone yesterday afternoon.
A man named Gerald Foss.
He's competent but predictable." She paused.
"He's proposing a settlement.
Nathan keeps the investment portfolio — which I note is funded primarily from your studio income — and you keep the house.
No spousal support in either direction.
Joint custody, alternating weeks."
I thought about the investment portfolio.
Nathan had opened it four years ago, framing it as retirement planning.
I had signed the paperwork without reading it carefully because I trusted him.
"What's the portfolio worth?"
"Current valuation, approximately one hundred and sixty thousand dollars."
"And he wants to walk away with that."
"He does."
"No."
Patricia's voice warmed slightly.
"I was hoping you'd say that."
"What do we counter with?"
"Full financial disclosure first.
We don't settle until we know exactly what's in that portfolio, where every transfer went, and whether Vanessa or Judith received funds that can be characterized as marital assets being diverted to third parties."
"He won't agree to full disclosure willingly."
"He won't have a choice.
I'm filing the discovery motion this afternoon." She paused again.
"Emily, there's one more thing.
Gerald Foss's letter included a line I want you to hear directly."
"Go ahead."
"He wrote that his client has reason to believe you have been systematically underreporting studio income for tax purposes, and that this information may be relevant to custody and asset proceedings."
The kitchen went very still.
"That's not true," I said.
"I know.
David's records make that clear.
But Nathan is now threatening to make it true in a courtroom unless you accept his settlement terms."
May you like
My hands were steady on the table.
"Patricia," I said, "file everything."
