Chapter 9: The Reckoning
The forensic accountant's report came six weeks later.
Mr.
Hale called Julian directly.
Julian was in the sitting room with Leo when the call came in.
He put it on speaker without being asked.
Mr.
Hale: The accountant has confirmed unauthorized transfers totaling just over two point three million pounds across a six-year period.
The Geneva account is in Daniel's name alone.
There is no documentation of any authorized restructuring arrangement — no board resolution, no trustee amendment, no correspondence with your father's estate solicitor.
The transfers were unilateral and undisclosed.
Julian: What happens now?
Mr.
Hale: The report goes to the financial crimes unit today.
Based on what we've submitted — Catherine's affidavit, the USB records, and the accountant's findings — the unit will open a formal investigation.
Daniel will be notified.
His assets may be frozen pending review.
Leo: Will he go to prison?
Mr.
Hale: That depends on the investigation and the Crown Prosecution Service.
What I can tell you is that the evidence is strong and the amount is significant.
These are not the conditions under which cases typically disappear quietly.
Julian: And the estate?
Mr.
Hale: Recovery of misappropriated funds is a separate civil process.
We can pursue it in parallel.
It will take time, but Catherine's documentation gives us a strong foundation.
Julian: She thought of everything.
Mr.
Hale: She did.
I've handled estates for forty years, Mr.
Ashworth.
I have rarely seen someone in her condition think as clearly or plan as carefully as your wife did.
She was remarkable.
Julian: Yes.
She was.
The call ended.
Leo and Julian sat in the sitting room.
The afternoon light came through the tall windows at an angle, catching the dust in the air, making it visible.
Leo: It's really happening.
Julian: Yes.
Leo: Are you all right?
Julian looked at his son.
Julian: I'm angry.
At Daniel.
At myself for not seeing it sooner.
At the years Catherine spent knowing something was wrong and carrying it alone because she didn't want to add to what I was already carrying.
Leo: She didn't think you couldn't handle it.
She said in the letter — she said she knew you could handle anything.
She just didn't want to use the time she had left on something that could wait.
Julian: She thought it could wait.
Leo: She thought you could handle it after.
She was right.
Julian was quiet for a moment.
Julian: I owe you an apology, Leo.
Leo: Dad—
Julian: I married Eleanor too quickly.
I knew it then and I told myself it was the right decision and I kept telling myself that for twenty years.
You were twelve.
You needed — you needed more than I gave you in those years.
Leo: You were grieving.
Julian: That's not an excuse.
It's an explanation.
There's a difference.
Leo looked at his father.
Julian looked back.
Leo: She said in the letter — Mom said — she said the only thing she ever needed you to do was make sure I knew I was loved.
She said she believed you had done that.
Julian's jaw tightened.
Not in anger.
In the effort of holding something steady.
Julian: Did you?
Know?
Leo: Yes.
Even when I was angry at you.
Even when Eleanor was here and everything felt wrong.
I always knew.
Julian reached across and put his hand on Leo's shoulder.
Not a dramatic gesture.
Just a hand, placed and held.
Julian: I'm going to do better.
Not because of what's happened.
I should have done better before any of this.
Leo: I know.
They stayed like that for a moment.
Then Julian stood and walked to the window.
Julian: Where's Maya?
Leo: Kitchen, I think.
Julian: Ask her to come in.
She should hear this too.
Leo went to find her.
Julian stood at the window and looked out at the drive — empty now, the gate closed, the afternoon going gold at the edges.
When Maya came in, Julian turned from the window.
Julian: The investigation is open.
Daniel's records have been submitted.
Mr.
Hale says the evidence is strong.
Maya: Good.
Julian: I want to ask you something, and I want you to answer honestly.
Maya: All right.
Julian: In eleven years — did you ever consider leaving?
Because of Eleanor?
Maya: Many times.
Julian: Why didn't you?
Maya looked at Leo, who was standing in the doorway.
Maya: Because leaving felt like letting her win.
And because I had made a quiet promise to myself, a long time ago, that I would stay until Leo was safe.
Julian: He's safe now.
Maya: Yes.
Julian: So if you wanted to leave — I would understand it.
And I would make sure you were taken care of properly.
Whatever you need.
Maya: Are you asking me to leave?
Julian: No.
I'm giving you the choice.
Freely.
Without obligation.
Maya looked at the room — the documents on the table, the photograph now standing upright against the lamp where Julian had placed it that morning, Leo in the doorway with his arms at his sides.
Maya: I'll stay.
If that's all right.
Julian: It's more than all right.
Leo: It's the only thing that makes sense.
May you like
Maya almost smiled.
She went to the kitchen to make tea, and neither Julian nor Leo stopped her, because some things are their own kind of answer.
