Chapter 4: The Money Behind the SUV
The message sat on my phone like a threat.
*Ask your father what he discovered when he checked the vehicle's purchase records.*
I read it again, then looked toward Dad's office. The door remained closed, and the light beneath it cut a narrow yellow line across the hallway floor.
Tyler was still sitting at the kitchen island, his face buried in his hands.
For once, he wasn't demanding anything.
I approached him slowly.
"Tyler, did you know Mom tried to change the title?""
He lifted his head. His eyes were red, but his expression hardened as soon as he saw me.
"Why are you interrogating me?""
"Because someone forged my signature.""
"I didn't forge anything.""
"Then tell me what you know.""
He stood so abruptly that his stool scraped across the tile.
"You're always doing this. You get one little problem, and suddenly everyone has to stand around answering questions like you're a detective.""
"Someone tried to steal my car.""
"It's not your car yet!""
The words landed between us.
I stared at him.
Tyler seemed to realize what he'd said. He looked away, running a hand through his hair.
"That's not what I meant.""
"Then what did you mean?""
Before he could answer, Dad's office door opened.
"Both of you," he said.
"Come inside.""
His desk was covered with papers. The insurance app glowed on his computer monitor, and a yellow legal pad lay beside a thick folder from the dealership.
Dad pointed toward the chairs.
"Sit down.""
I took the chair nearest the window. Tyler dropped into the other, crossing his arms.
Dad remained standing.
"I spoke to the dealership manager. I also reviewed the payment records for the SUV.""
He opened the folder.
"When I bought the vehicle, I paid a substantial deposit from my personal checking account. The remaining balance was financed through the dealership.""
He turned a page.
"Last week, someone contacted the finance department asking for a payoff statement and information about transferring the vehicle to a third party.""
My pulse quickened.
"Who?""
"The dealership won't release every detail without their legal department reviewing the request, but the email address matches one Vanessa has used.""
Tyler shifted in his chair.
Dad noticed.
"Do you know anything about this?""
"No.""
"Look at me when you answer.""
Tyler raised his eyes.
"I said no.""
Dad studied him for several seconds, then placed another sheet of paper on the desk.
It was a printed transaction record.
A payment of $8,400 had been transferred from Dad's household account to an unfamiliar financial services company three days earlier.
I recognized the account immediately.
Dad used it for shared household expenses, including groceries, utilities, and the money Vanessa received each month for managing the house.
"What's that?"" I asked.
Dad's jaw tightened.
"An account transfer I didn't authorize.""
Tyler leaned forward.
"Maybe it was a bill.""
"Then why can't I find an invoice?""
Nobody spoke.
Dad tapped the transaction record.
"I called the bank. They confirmed the transfer was initiated through the household account's online access. They're investigating the authorization.""
"How much was in that account?"" I asked.
"Enough to cover several months of expenses.""
"And now it's gone?""
"Not all of it. But eight thousand four hundred dollars is missing.""
I looked at Tyler.
He was staring at the paper as if he recognized the company name.
"Tyler?""
His head snapped up.
"What?""
"Do you know that company?""
"No.""
The answer came too quickly.
Dad noticed, too.
He pulled another document from the folder.
"This is the company that received the transfer. It's a debt settlement service.""
Tyler's face changed.
Dad leaned forward.
"Do you have outstanding debts?""
Tyler stood.
"This is unbelievable. I came downstairs to get a car, and now I'm being treated like I've robbed a bank.""
"Sit down.""
"No.""
"Tyler, sit down.""
Something in Dad's voice made him hesitate.
Then he dropped back into the chair.
Dad continued.
"I want the truth. If you're in financial trouble, say so. We'll discuss it. But if you used my money or helped someone else use it, I need to know.""
Tyler stared at the floor.
I remembered the expensive sneakers, the designer sunglasses, the restaurants he posted about online. I remembered him telling relatives that he was building a business in digital marketing.
I had never asked how he paid for any of it.
Now I wondered whether the lifestyle he'd displayed so proudly had been built on money he didn't actually have.
"How much do you owe?"" Dad asked.
Tyler's lips parted.
Then he glanced at the office door.
"Mom said she was going to handle it.""
Dad went very still.
"Handle what?""
Tyler swallowed.
"My credit cards. Some loans. The money I borrowed to get the business started.""
"What business?""
Tyler looked at me with sudden resentment.
"You don't have to sit there enjoying this.""
"I'm not enjoying anything.""
"Of course you aren't. You get to be the perfect daughter while everyone else gets dragged through the mud.""
Dad slammed his hand against the desk.
"Enough. Answer the question.""
Tyler's shoulders dropped.
"The business failed. I borrowed money to cover the expenses. Then I borrowed more to cover the payments.""
Dad closed his eyes.
"How much?""
"I don't know exactly.""
"Guess.""
Tyler rubbed his palms against his jeans.
"Maybe thirty thousand.""
The number made my stomach turn.
Dad sat down slowly.
"And Vanessa was paying your debts?""
"She said she'd help.""
"With what money?""
Tyler didn't answer.
Dad looked at the transfer record.
Then he looked at his son.
"Did she tell you she was using money from the household account?""
Tyler's silence was answer enough.
I felt suddenly cold.
"Did she promise you my SUV because she was going to sell it?""
Tyler stared at me.
"I don't know.""
"You're lying.""
"I'm not!""
"Then why did you recognize the company?""
He turned away.
Dad stood again.
"This conversation is over until everyone is prepared to tell the truth.""
Tyler pushed back his chair and left the room.
A moment later, the front door slammed.
I stared at the documents.
"Dad, what are you going to do?""
He gathered the papers into a neat stack, but his hands weren't steady.
"I'm going to find out where my money went.""
"And Vanessa?""
He looked at me.
"I don't know yet.""
For the first time, I saw something in his expression that frightened me more than anger.
He was afraid of the answer.
My phone vibrated again.
This time, the message came with an attachment.
A photograph.
It showed the black SUV parked outside a commercial building. Beside it stood Vanessa, speaking to a man in a gray suit.
The timestamp was from the previous afternoon.
Underneath the photograph was a single sentence.
*Your stepmother was negotiating a sale before your graduation ceremony.*
I zoomed in on the image.
The man was holding a folder.
And on the side of the building behind them, a sign displayed the name of a vehicle brokerage.
I turned the phone toward Dad.
He stared at the photograph.
Then he picked up his keys.
"Where are you going?"" I asked.
He was already reaching for his jacket.
"To find out who that man is.""
He paused at the doorway.
"And Emma? Don't tell Vanessa about this photograph.""
But as he stepped outside, I heard a sound from upstairs.
A bedroom door opening.
Then Vanessa's voice, speaking urgently into her phone.
"He knows about the money. We have to move the rest tonight.""
I froze on the stairs.
Because now I knew two things.
May you like
My stepmother had been planning to sell the SUV.
And whatever she had stolen from my father was only part of the truth.
