Chapter 2 - WHY BILLIONAIRES STEAL CASHThe police came.
Victoria’s attorney came faster.
That also told me something.
People with serious money know who to call before panic finishes arriving.
Maria gave her statement.
Sophie’s tablet was preserved.
The bag was photographed.
Nothing left the house.
Mom insisted on checking the safe herself.
Missing:
$420,000 in emergency cash.
Six gold bars.
Three jewelry cases.
A collection of rare coins.
Some items were already inside Victoria’s bag.
Others were not.
That meant the theft had probably started earlier.
Mom looked at me.
“I haven’t opened the safe in two months.”
My stomach tightened.
“How much gold should be there?”
“Fourteen bars.”
There were six in the bag.
Three still inside.
Five missing.
Victoria had already taken them.
“How much?”
Mom shrugged.
“Depends on price. Maybe a million.”
A million dollars did not matter to Victoria personally.
That was what bothered me.
Her annual dividend income exceeded that.
So why physical assets?
My mother answered before I did.
“Untraceable.”
I looked at her.
Dad had been a commodities trader.
Mom understood money.
“Cash and gold move outside banking systems.”
Exactly.
Then Sophie said:
“Mom went into Grandma’s room before.”
We all turned.
“When?”
She shrugged.
“A few nights.”
“How many?”
“Maybe four.”
May you like
Victoria closed her eyes.
The pattern was growing.
