Chapter 18 - The Price of Telling the TruthNaomi’s attorney explained the situation without softening it.
“You knowingly signed invoices for work you did not perform.”
Naomi nodded.
“You transferred corporate funds.”
“Yes.”
“You concealed the arrangement from your sister.”
“Yes.”
“You benefited personally from at least some of the money.”
Naomi looked down.
About $39,000 had paid credit-card balances, travel and personal expenses before Trevor moved the rest.
“That can create exposure.”
“I understand.”
The prosecutor had not promised immunity.
Naomi might avoid charges if investigators concluded she had been manipulated and substantially cooperated.
She might not.
Elise sat silently across the room.
Naomi looked at her.
“You don’t have to stay.”
“Yes, I do.”
“Why?”
“Because for once, none of us are deciding what another person can handle.”
Naomi’s eyes filled.
Her attorney continued.
“The strongest thing you can do is tell the truth completely, including facts that hurt you.”
Naomi nodded.
So she did.
She admitted she knew the invoices were false.
She admitted she spent some of the money.
She admitted resentment toward Elise influenced her decisions.
She admitted stealing the safe key.
She admitted giving Trevor the company documents.
She admitted the affair.
No excuses.
No claims that Trevor controlled every choice.
When she finished, the room was silent.
Elise stared at her younger sister.
This was the first version of Naomi she had seen in years who did not seem to be performing.
Afterward they walked outside.
Naomi stopped beside the courthouse steps.
“If they charge me, I won’t blame you.”
Elise looked at her.
“I didn’t make your decisions.”
“I know.”
“And I’m not asking them to protect you.”
“I know.”
Naomi wiped her face.
“That might be the kindest thing you’ve done.”
Elise almost laughed.
“How?”
“Because you’re finally treating me like an adult.”
The words hurt.
Cecilia’s trust.
Elise’s financial help.
The family habit of protecting Naomi from consequences.
Perhaps some of Naomi’s resentment had grown in the shadow of being protected too much.
Elise said quietly, “Then act like one.”
Naomi nodded.
“I’m trying.”
Meanwhile, the forensic audit grew.
The total confirmed improper payments connected to Trevor now exceeded $2.6 million.
Silver Birch activity from years earlier remained harder to prove, but investigators found communications suggesting Trevor had helped his father disguise related-party transactions.
Statutes and documentation might limit prosecution on the older conduct.
But it established pattern and motive.
More important were the recent crimes.
False invoices.
Forged documents.
Unauthorized transfers.
Computer access.
Trevor’s recorded strategy notes.
His position deteriorated quickly.
Ward & Finch’s board voted unanimously to terminate him for cause.
Helen Sawyer temporarily stepped aside as board chair pending review of her undisclosed Calder Rowe communications.
Elise did not celebrate.
She had won back control of a company that no longer felt safe.
That night, she entered her mother’s old office at the mansion.
Sunny followed.
Elise opened Cecilia’s desk.
Inside was an old photograph.
Elise at thirteen.
Naomi at eleven.
Both girls covered in paint after trying to redecorate a guest room without permission.
Cecilia stood behind them laughing.
Elise sat with the photograph.
What happened to us?
She heard Naomi’s voice from the doorway.
“I remember that day.”
Elise looked up.
Naomi had come to collect belongings still at the mansion.
“You painted the carpet,” Elise said.
“You told Mom it was modern art.”
Elise almost smiled.
Naomi stayed at the doorway.
She did not enter without permission.
That mattered.
“Elise?”
“What?”
“I’m going to sell my car.”
Elise frowned.
“Why?”
“To repay the money I spent.”
“You may need it.”
“I’ll buy something cheaper.”
“You don’t have to perform punishment for me.”
“I’m not.”
Naomi looked at the photograph.
“I want to start returning what wasn’t mine.”
Elise studied her.
Then Sunny stood.
He walked to Naomi.
Sat in front of her.
And placed one paw on her shoe.
Naomi cried.
Elise looked away.
Sunny did not understand betrayal.
He only remembered someone he loved.
Elise wished human beings were that simple.
Then her phone rang.
Grace.
“The state has issued arrest warrants.”
Elise stood.
“For Trevor?”
“Yes.”
Naomi’s face went white.
Grace continued.
“Forgery, computer-related offenses and felony larceny.”
Elise closed her eyes.
“Where is he?”
May you like
“They don’t know.”
Trevor had disappeared.
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