Chapter 6 - Eight Million Reasons to Lie
The money had belonged to Grace's mother, Evelyn Reed.
Evelyn had operated a neighborhood grocery and owned the brick building above it. She was not famous or extravagantly wealthy, but she had invested patiently for decades.
When she died, she left a trust for her grandchildren.
Eli and Rosie would receive protected distributions at specified ages. Their guardian could request funds for genuine care, but could not simply take ownership.
Caroline had spent years trying to change that.
Walter remembered Evelyn at the kitchen table, balancing accounts with a pencil.
“She never trusted Caroline,” he said.
Grace gave a tired laugh.
“Mom didn't trust anybody who called a child an investment.”
Nina found that Caroline had submitted false invoices for the children's education and medical care.
A private tutor who never existed.
A therapy center with no patients.
School fees for Rosie, who had never been enrolled.
The payments went to companies controlled by Caroline's husband, Richard.
“Richard knew?” Grace asked.
Nina nodded.
Walter's anger settled into something cold.
Richard had visited him at the shelter once, bringing a bag of clothes and urging him not to contact Caroline.
Walter had thanked him.
That memory now made him sick.
Authorities froze the disputed transfers and opened a financial investigation.
Caroline appeared on television outside the courthouse.
“These allegations are a malicious attack on a woman who dedicated her life to children.”
She dabbed her eyes.
Walter turned the television off.
Eli was sitting beside him in Mrs. Bell's living room.
Mrs. Bell had been approved for emergency placement while the family situation was assessed. Rosie was recovering there too.
The house smelled of cinnamon and toast. A crooked paper angel hung above the mantel.
“Can we keep the TV off?” Eli asked.
“Of course.”
Rosie emerged wearing a borrowed sweater with a snowman on it.
“Grandpa Walter?”
Walter looked up.
She had been told who he was, but he did not expect the word so soon.
“Yes, sweetheart?”
“Do you like marshmallows?”
“Very much.”
“Good. Mrs. Bell says hot chocolate is better with two.”
Walter smiled.
“She's right.”
Eli watched him carefully.
“Were you really sleeping outside?”
“Yes.”
“Because Aunt Caroline took your money?”
“Partly. I also got sick and couldn't keep working. Then things got worse.”
Eli looked ashamed.
“I gave you only five dollars.”
Walter moved closer.
“You gave me everything you had.”
“It wasn't enough.”
“It was enough to bring us together.”
The boy's eyes filled.
Walter opened his arms.
Eli went into them.
For the first time since the food cart, he cried without trying to hide it.
That night Grace visited the children with an approved supervisor.
Rosie ran to her.
Eli stood frozen.
Grace knelt.
“Hi, sweetheart.”
He stared at her face.
“Why didn't you come?”
Grace swallowed.
“I tried.”
“Aunt Caroline said you didn't want us.”
“She lied.”
“You could have tried harder.”
Grace nodded through tears.
“I wish I could have gotten to you sooner.”
Eli looked away.
Grace did not force a hug.
She sat on the floor and told him about the night he was born, when a snowstorm knocked out the hospital's power and the nurses sang Christmas songs to keep everyone calm.
Eli listened.
Then he asked, “Did you really sing 'Silent Night' wrong?”
Grace laughed and cried at once.
“Every single time.”
He moved beside her.
They sang the first few notes together.
It was painfully off-key.
Walter had never heard anything more beautiful.
The next morning Richard Mercer was arrested on financial charges.
Caroline remained free pending further proceedings.
She sent Grace a message through an attorney.
YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOUR FATHER DID.
Grace showed Walter.
He frowned.
“She's trying to scare you.”
“Maybe.”
Then Nina called.
“We found an old document bearing your signature, Walter.”
“What document?”
“A petition from seven years ago.”
“For what?”
“To terminate Grace's parental rights.”
Walter went silent.
“I never signed that.”
May you like
Nina answered carefully.
“Then we need to find out who did.”
