Chapter 2 – The Investigation
Chapter 2 – The Investigation
The apartment fell silent.
Only Lily's weak cough could be heard from the bedroom.
Emily stood frozen, one hand against the bruise forming on her cheek.
A detective stepped forward.
"Mrs. Carter?"
"We need to ask you some questions."
She nodded numbly.
"What is this about?"
The detective opened a folder.
"Over the past four months, more than $43,000 was donated to Lily's medical fundraiser."
"We've confirmed that only a small portion of those funds reached the hospital."
Emily stared at her husband.
"Mark..."
"You told me every bill had been paid."
Mark avoided her eyes.
"I was going to fix it."
Another detective placed several bank statements on the table.
"Most of the money was transferred into personal accounts."
"There were also significant withdrawals at casinos and payments unrelated to Lily's treatment."
Emily felt the room spin.
Every donation...
Every message from strangers wishing Lily well...
Every dollar people had given in hope...
Had been betrayed.
Then the lead detective quietly added,
"There's something else."
He removed another envelope.
Inside were recently signed life insurance documents and a series of messages discussing potential payouts.
Emily's hands began to shake.
"What...is this?"
"We're still investigating," the detective said carefully.
"But these documents raise serious concerns and will be examined as part of the case."
Emily looked toward Lily's bedroom.
Nothing mattered except getting to her daughter.
May you like
"I'm staying with Lily," she whispered.
"And he's never coming near her again."
