Frank had tried to understand the pattern himself, but his health had made the investigation difficult. He eventually asked Samuel to review the records.
The attorney discovered that the transfers were linked to a company that had been established under Derek's name.
Caroline slowly turned toward her brother.
Derek stared at the floor.
Samuel continued reading.
Frank wrote that he had confronted Patricia about the missing funds. She had told him that the money was being used temporarily to support Derek's business.
She had promised it would be returned.
But the withdrawals continued.
And when Frank asked for a complete accounting, Patricia refused to provide one.
Caroline felt the room shift around her.
She remembered the months when she had worked extra hours to send money home. She remembered declining trips with friends, postponing purchases, and keeping her own expenses low because she wanted her father to have reliable care.
She remembered thinking that every transfer mattered.
Now she was learning that someone had been taking money from another fund at the same time.
Her father had known.
And her mother had known.
Derek had been connected to the company receiving the transfers.
"How much?" Caroline asked.
Samuel looked at the records.
"The documents I have verified show a substantial amount. But this is not the complete accounting."
Derek shook his head.
"You can't prove I took anything."
Samuel turned another page.
"I haven't said you personally authorized every transfer."
"Then stop making it sound like I did."
"Your company received the funds."
Derek looked toward Patricia.
She did not look back.
Caroline saw the exchange.
It was brief, but it told her more than either of them intended.
Samuel folded the letter carefully.
"Frank asked me to preserve the remaining records until the full transaction history could be obtained."
Caroline looked at the small sheet inside the envelope.
"What is that?"
"An account reference."
"Whose account?"
Samuel hesitated.
"That is what I have been trying to confirm."
Patricia suddenly stepped forward.
"That paper doesn't belong here."
Samuel looked at her.
"Why?"
"Because it has nothing to do with Caroline."
Caroline stared at her mother.
"Then why are you so desperate to keep it from me?"
Patricia's expression hardened.
"Because you have no idea what happened in this family after you left."
Caroline looked at her.
"Then tell me."
Her mother opened her mouth.
For a moment, it seemed as though she might finally speak.
But Derek interrupted.
"Mom, don't."
The words came out too quickly.
Patricia turned toward him.
He looked at her with a warning expression.
Caroline noticed.
Samuel noticed too.
And Master Chief Ward, who had remained nearby, shifted his attention toward the brother and sister.
Something was happening between Patricia and Derek that Caroline had not yet understood.
The records were no longer simply about money.
They were about an agreement, a company, and a secret that had been kept from Frank until the final months of his life.
Samuel placed the letter back inside the folder.
"There is one more thing your father wanted me to verify."
He took out a printed document showing the registration details of the company.
Caroline leaned closer.
The company had been established several years after she left home. Its original registration listed Derek as the primary owner.
But another name appeared in the financial records.
Patricia Barker.
Caroline read it twice.
Her mother was not merely aware of the company.
She was listed as an authorized financial contact.
Derek looked toward the exit again.
Samuel pointed to the date beside Patricia's authorization.
"She signed this."
Caroline felt the blood drain from her face.
Patricia took a step backward.
"That was years ago."
"Why did you sign it?" Caroline asked.
"I was helping your brother."
"With Dad's money?"
"It wasn't his money in the way you think."
Samuel looked up.
"Frank's name was on the account."
Patricia turned toward him.
"You don't know everything."
"Then explain it."
She shook her head.
"Not here."
Caroline's voice became firmer.
"You keep saying that. First it wasn't the place, then it wasn't the time, and now you say I don't understand. When exactly were you planning to tell me?"
Patricia looked at her daughter.
For the first time, there was something in her expression that resembled regret.
But it was mixed with fear.
"Caroline, there are things your father never told you."
"Then maybe it's time I heard them."
Samuel closed the folder.
"I agree."
He looked toward the ballroom entrance, where two uniformed police officers had just arrived.
Then he turned back to Caroline.
"Before we go any further, I need to speak with you privately. There are records that should not be discussed in front of everyone."
Derek immediately reacted.