Chapter 3 - THE GIFT ARRIVES
At 9:07 the next morning, Robert called.
I did not answer.
9:08.
Again.
9:10.
Helen.
9:11.
Clara.
9:13.
Silas.
Then Robert left a voicemail.
“Bennett, whatever stunt you pulled, stop it now.”
Stunt.
A process server and representative from the independent trust company had delivered:
Notice of emergency fiduciary suspension.
Copy of the court petition.
Demand for preservation of financial records.
Temporary prohibition on sale, refinancing, or disposal of trust property.
Notice that continued occupancy rights were under judicial review.
My father treated legal consequences the same way he treated boundaries.
As somebody else becoming dramatic.
Josephine ate cereal at the kitchen counter.
“Are they mad?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
I looked at her.
She shrugged.
“They were mean.”
Fair.
My phone rang again.
Clara.
This time I answered.
“What did you do?”
“Good morning.”
“You froze Mom and Dad’s accounts!”
“No.”
“Silas says the trust bank froze everything.”
“Trust accounts.”
“Same thing!”
“No.”
“What is wrong with you?”
I almost laughed.
“Yesterday?”
“Oh my God, you threw a piece of furniture at my husband.”
“Yes.”
“He could have been killed.”
“Yes.”
That stopped her.
“I was wrong to throw it.”
She had expected defense.
“What?”
“I said I was wrong.”
Silence.
“Are you going to apologize?”
“Yes.”
She almost relaxed.
“After he apologizes to Josephine.”
Clara exploded.
“She’s a child!”
“Exactly.”
“That horse was a joke.”
“It belonged to Amelia.”
Silence.
“You knew.”
“No.”
“You laughed.”
“I didn’t know Amelia restored it.”
“You knew it was mine.”
Long pause.
“Dad said it was old junk.”
That was probably true.
“What does any of that have to do with throwing our parents out?”
“I’m not throwing them out today.”
“They got notice!”
“They forged my signature on a loan secured by the house.”
Nothing.
“Clara?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Ask Silas.”
Another silence.
Why Silas?
May you like
Because $512,000 of the $780,000 credit line had flowed into Rhodes Hospitality Group.
His company.
