“Over thirty years.
Forged signatures on every authorization.
The destination account is in your name, Mr.
Mills.”
Gerald looked at the documents.
His face didn’t change.
“Those transfers were approved,” he said.
“By whom?” Grace asked.
“By Eleanor.”
“No, they weren’t,” I said.
“I never signed a single one of those.
You forged my signature, Gerald.
For thirty years.”
Linda leaned forward.
“Eleanor, you’re confused.
After Mom and Dad died, you were a mess.
Gerald helped you with the finances.
You signed things you don’t remember—”
“I have a forensic handwriting analyst who disagrees, Linda.
Every signature on those forms was traced.
Not signed.
Traced.
There’s a difference, and the analyst can see it.”
Gerald’s composure cracked for the first time.
His fingers tapped the table twice.
“This is a family matter,” he said.
“We don’t need lawyers and forensic analysts—”
“It stopped being a family matter when you took money from a dying man,” I said.
The room went still.
“What?” Linda said.
“Thomas told Gerald he was dying.
He asked Gerald to look after me.
And three weeks later, Gerald doubled the withdrawals.
He was stealing from a man he knew was about to die.”
Linda turned to Gerald.
“What is she talking about?”
Gerald didn’t answer.
“Thomas recorded it, Gerald,” I said.
“He recorded everything.
Including the conversation where you promised to take care of me.
And the bank records that show exactly when the withdrawals increased.”
Linda’s face went white.
“Gerald, did you know Thomas was sick?”
Gerald looked at the table.
“He told me in confidence.”
“And you used that information to steal more money,” I said.
“While he was dying.
While I was about to lose everything.”
Linda stood up.
Her chair scraped the floor.
She looked at Gerald like she was seeing him for the first time.
“Did you know?” she asked again.
“Did you know he was dying and take more money from their account?
Yes or no?”
Gerald’s jaw tightened.
“The money was partly ours.
Thomas owed us for everything we did after her parents died—”
“Thomas didn’t owe you anything,” I said.
“And even if he did, you didn’t take it from him.
You took it from me.
You forged my name.
You stole from your own sister-in-law.
And you did it while her husband was dying.”
