Chapter 3 - THE COMPLAINT BEFORE DINNER
The investigator interviewed each child separately.
Faye told her we had eaten breakfast and a small lunch before driving to Thorn Manor.
Della explained that Marguerite took away the crackers I packed because “outside food embarrassed Grandpa.”
Beckett said he had asked three adults for dinner.
All three told him to wait near the coats.
The investigator photographed the full banquet video from Faye’s tablet. She had started recording decorations for a school project. Her clip showed Marguerite blocking them and Edward dismissing me.
It also captured my plates smashing.
I did not deny that part.
“I lost control,” I said. “The plates were empty, but the children were beside me. I should have walked out.”
The investigator nodded.
Accountability did not make the rest disappear.
The children remained with me. A follow-up visit was scheduled.
The next morning, Nora obtained the catering authorization.
My electronic signature had been copied from an old Thorn House payroll form.
I had worked for the family event company before Marguerite took over its finances.
The authorization listed me as “family reserve administrator.”
“I have never held that title,” I said.
“Someone wanted the caterer to believe you controlled the account,” Nora replied.
Marguerite posted another statement accusing me of stealing documents after Evelyn’s death.
Then her lawyer delivered a petition asking the probate court to temporarily bar me from interfering with Edward’s property.
Attached was a guardianship draft naming Edward as temporary guardian of Faye, Della, and Beckett if I were found financially or emotionally unstable.
The draft had been created two days before the banquet.
My children’s hunger had not been an impulsive cruelty.
It had been placed inside a plan.
Then Nora found a second document bearing my signature.
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It approved the private sale of Thorn Manor.
Closing was scheduled in eight days.
