Chapter 5: The Twenty-Five-Th Chapter 5: The Twenty-Five-Thousand-Dollar Secret
I didn't confrontousand-Dollar Secret
I didn't confront Marcus that night.
For the first time in seven years, I Marcus that night.
For the first time in seven years, I understood the value of waiting.
Anger made people careless. Fear made them understood the value of waiting.
Anger made people careless. Fear made them talk. And people who believed they were still in control often revealed far more than they intended.
So talk. And people who believed they were still in control often revealed far more than they intended.
So I put my phone away, finished preparing a simple dinner, and went upstairs without I put my phone away, finished preparing a simple dinner, and went upstairs without mentioning the anonymous message.
At 10:42 p.m., Marcus entered the bedroom.
He mentioning the anonymous message.
At 10:42 p.m., Marcus entered the bedroom.
He smelled of cold air and the peppermint gum he always chewed after talking on the phone. He removed smelled of cold air and the peppermint gum he always chewed after talking on the phone. He removed his watch, placed it on the nightstand, and stared at me.
“Are you still awake?””
“Yes his watch, placed it on the nightstand, and stared at me.
“Are you still awake?””
“Yes.””
He loosened his collar.
“Can we talk?””
I closed my book.
“Of course.””
He sat.””
He loosened his collar.
“Can we talk?””
I closed my book.
“Of course.””
He sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing his palms against his trousers.
“I think we've both on the edge of the bed, rubbing his palms against his trousers.
“I think we've both said things we didn't mean over the last few days.””
I waited.
He looked at me, apparently said things we didn't mean over the last few days.””
I waited.
He looked at me, apparently expecting an immediate agreement.
“Mom and I have been under a lot of stress,” expecting an immediate agreement.
“Mom and I have been under a lot of stress,” he continued.
“The promotion has brought more responsibility, and I've been trying he continued.
“The promotion has brought more responsibility, and I've been trying to make sure everyone is taken care of.””
“Everyone except me?””
He sighed to make sure everyone is taken care of.””
“Everyone except me?””
He sighed.
“That's not what I meant.””
“What did you mean, Marcus?””
He looked away.
“I want us to stop fighting.
“That's not what I meant.””
“What did you mean, Marcus?””
He looked away.
“I want us to stop fighting. I want things to go back to normal.””
I studied his face.
Three days earlier, he had stood. I want things to go back to normal.””
I studied his face.
Three days earlier, he had stood in the living room and announced that his entire salary belonged to his mother. He had demanded that I pay for my own expenses, then accused me of neglecting him when in the living room and announced that his entire salary belonged to his mother. He had demanded that I pay for my own expenses, then accused me of neglecting him when I stopped covering his dinners.
Now he wanted normal.
“What would normal look like to you?”” I asked.
He seemed relieved by the question.
“We restore the cards. We I stopped covering his dinners.
Now he wanted normal.
“What would normal look like to you?”” I asked.
He seemed relieved by the question.
“We restore the cards. We restart the meal service. You stop involving lawyers in our personal disagreements.
Mom keeps managing my salary, and we restart the meal service. You stop involving lawyers in our personal disagreements. Mom keeps managing my salary, and we figure out the household expenses together.””
I almost smiled.
He had just described a situation in which I would resume figure out the household expenses together.””
I almost smiled.
He had just described a situation in which I would resume paying for everything while he continued handing his money to Patricia.
“That's not a compromise,” I said.
His paying for everything while he continued handing his money to Patricia.
“That's not a compromise,” I said.
His face tightened.
“Why do you have to make everything so difficult?””
“Because you're asking me to return to an face tightened.
“Why do you have to make everything so difficult?””
“Because you're asking me to return to an arrangement that benefits you and your mother while leaving me responsible for the consequences.””
“You make more arrangement that benefits you and your mother while leaving me responsible for the consequences.””
“You make more money than I do!””
“I haven't told you how much I make.””
“I know enough.””
“Then tell me what you know.””
He money than I do!””
“I haven't told you how much I make.””
“I know enough.””
“Then tell me what you know.””
He opened his mouth, then closed it.
I leaned back against the pillows.
“Marcus, I need opened his mouth, then closed it.
I leaned back against the pillows.
“Marcus, I need you to answer one question. Have you borrowed money from Daniel Mercer?””
His entire body went still.
It lasted only a second.
But it was enough.
“ you to answer one question. Have you borrowed money from Daniel Mercer?””
His entire body went still.
It lasted only a second.
But it was enough.
“Why are you asking about Daniel?””
“Because someone contacted me and mentioned a $25,000 loan.””
His face changed.
“Why are you asking about Daniel?””
“Because someone contacted me and mentioned a $25,000 loan.””
His face changed.
“Who contacted you?””
“I asked you a question.””
He stood abruptly.
“This is unbelievable. Now you're investigating my personal finances?””
“Are you in debt toWho contacted you?””
“I asked you a question.””
He stood abruptly.
“This is unbelievable. Now you're investigating my personal finances?””
“Are you in debt to Daniel?””
“That's between me and him.””
“Then the answer is yes.””
He paced toward the window.
Daniel?””
“That's between me and him.””
“Then the answer is yes.””
He paced toward the window.
“It's not what you think.””
“Tell me what I should think.””
He turned around.
“I borrowed some money for an investment.””
“What investment“It's not what you think.””
“Tell me what I should think.””
He turned around.
“I borrowed some money for an investment.””
“What investment?””
“A business opportunity.””
“With Daniel?””
“Yes.””
“How much?””
He hesitated.
“Twenty-five thousand.””
?””
“A business opportunity.””
“With Daniel?””
“Yes.””
“How much?””
He hesitated.
“Twenty-five thousand.””
I nodded slowly.
“When did you borrow it?””
“Three months ago.””
“And what did you invest in?””
I nodded slowly.
“When did you borrow it?””
“Three months ago.””
“And what did you invest in?””
He rubbed his forehead.
“Lauren, I don't want to discuss this tonight.””
“Did you lose the money?””
“No!””
The answer came too quicklyHe rubbed his forehead.
“Lauren, I don't want to discuss this tonight.””
“Did you lose the money?””
“No!””
The answer came too quickly.
I held his gaze.
“Then why did you tell someone you'd make sure he got his money by Friday?””
Marcus stared at me.
For several.
I held his gaze.
“Then why did you tell someone you'd make sure he got his money by Friday?””
Marcus stared at me.
For several seconds, the only sound in the room was the ceiling fan turning overhead.
Finally, he sat down again.
“Daniel and I had an agreement. He seconds, the only sound in the room was the ceiling fan turning overhead.
Finally, he sat down again.
“Daniel and I had an agreement. He gave me the money to participate in a short-term investment. The returns were supposed to be substantial.””
“What happened?””
“The deal was gave me the money to participate in a short-term investment. The returns were supposed to be substantial.””
“What happened?””
“The deal was delayed.””
“By whom?””
“The people handling it.””
“Which people?””
He looked irritated delayed.””
“By whom?””
“The people handling it.””
“Which people?””
He looked irritated.
“I don't know every detail! Daniel was the one who introduced me to the.
“I don't know every detail! Daniel was the one who introduced me to the opportunity.””
I folded my hands in my lap.
“Did you sign a loan agreement?””
“Yes.””
“Can opportunity.””
I folded my hands in my lap.
“Did you sign a loan agreement?””
“Yes.””
“Can I see it?””
“No.””
I nodded.
“Then I think we're finished talking for tonight.””
He stared at me.
“That's it?””
“What I see it?””
“No.””
I nodded.
“Then I think we're finished talking for tonight.””
He stared at me.
“That's it?””
“What else would you like me to do?””
“You're my wife. You're supposed to help else would you like me to do?””
“You're my wife. You're supposed to help me.””
“Help you with what, Marcus? A debt you concealed from me while giving your entire salary to your mother?””
He flinched.
“I me.””
“Help you with what, Marcus? A debt you concealed from me while giving your entire salary to your mother?””
He flinched.
“I didn't conceal anything.””
“You never mentioned borrowing $25,000.””
“I was going to tell you when I made the didn't conceal anything.””
“You never mentioned borrowing $25,000.””
“I was going to tell you when I made the profit.””
“So you planned to tell me only if the investment succeeded?””
He looked down.
I had my answer.
He rose and walked toward the bathroom.
At profit.””
“So you planned to tell me only if the investment succeeded?””
He looked down.
I had my answer.
He rose and walked toward the bathroom.
At the doorway, he stopped.
“Daniel is threatening to ruin my life over a delay. I don't need you making things worse.””
“Then tell me the truth.””
He the doorway, he stopped.
“Daniel is threatening to ruin my life over a delay. I don't need you making things worse.””
“Then tell me the truth.””
He looked at me for a long moment.
“I did what I thought was best for us.””
Then he closed the bathroom door.
I sat on looked at me for a long moment.
“I did what I thought was best for us.””
Then he closed the bathroom door.
I sat on the bed, staring at the place where he had been sitting.
For years, I had believed that our marriage was built on trust, even when we disagreed about money.
the bed, staring at the place where he had been sitting.
For years, I had believed that our marriage was built on trust, even when we disagreed about money.
Now I was discovering that the man I had married had made financial decisions he was unwilling to explain, involved strangers in discussionsNow I was discovering that the man I had married had made financial decisions he was unwilling to explain, involved strangers in discussions about my property, and expected me to rescue him whenever the consequences became uncomfortable.
I picked up my phone and saved the anonymous messages.
Then I emailed them about my property, and expected me to rescue him whenever the consequences became uncomfortable.
I picked up my phone and saved the anonymous messages.
Then I emailed them to Evelyn.
Her response came the following morning.
**Do not agree to repay any debt you did not authorize or sign for. Whether you to Evelyn.
Her response came the following morning.
*Do not agree to repay any debt you did not authorize or sign for. Whether you have any legal responsibility depends on the documents and applicable law. Please send me copies of anything Marcus provides, and avoid making promises to Daniel have any legal responsibility depends on the documents and applicable law. Please send me copies of anything Marcus provides, and avoid making promises to Daniel or anyone acting on his behalf.*
I read the message twice.
Then I called Marcus's office.
His assistant or anyone acting on his behalf.**
I read the message twice.
Then I called Marcus's office.
His assistant answered.
“Good morning, regional sales. How may I help you?””
“Hello, this is Lauren Bennett. Could answered.
“Good morning, regional sales. How may I help you?””
“Hello, this is Lauren Bennett. Could you tell me whether Marcus is available?””
“One moment, please.””
I waited.
A minute later, a different voice came you tell me whether Marcus is available?””
“One moment, please.””
I waited.
A minute later, a different voice came on the line.
“Lauren?””
It was Daniel Mercer.
My fingers tightened around the phone.
“ on the line.
“Lauren?””
It was Daniel Mercer.
My fingers tightened around the phone.
“Why are you answering Marcus's office line?””
“I'm visiting him.””
“I'd like to speak withWhy are you answering Marcus's office line?””
“I'm visiting him.””
“I'd like to speak with my husband.””
“Of course. But perhaps you and I should speak first.””
“About what?””
“His financial my husband.””
“Of course. But perhaps you and I should speak first.””
“About what?””
“His financial situation.””
I glanced at the clock.
“I'm listening.””
Daniel lowered his voice.
“Marcus borrowed $25,000 from me three months ago situation.””
I glanced at the clock.
“I'm listening.””
Daniel lowered his voice.
“Marcus borrowed $25,000 from me three months ago. The repayment date has passed, and he keeps promising to pay me. Yesterday, he told me he had.
The repayment date has passed, and he keeps promising to pay me. Yesterday, he told me he had access to a valuable property and that we might be able to arrange something if the original investment access to a valuable property and that we might be able to arrange something if the original investment fell through.””
I stood.
“What property?””
“Willow Creek.””
I gripped the edge of the desk.
fell through.””
I stood.
“What property?””
“Willow Creek.””
I gripped the edge of the desk.
“He told you he could use my house?””
“He said he believed there was a way to“He told you he could use my house?””
“He said he believed there was a way to make the transaction work.””
“Did I authorize him to do that?””
“No.””
“Did you believe he had authority make the transaction work.””
“Did I authorize him to do that?””
“No.””
“Did you believe he had authority to act for me?””
Daniel hesitated.
“At first, I assumed he did. Then I contacted the real estate firm and learned the title was in your name.””
I closed my eyes.
“ to act for me?””
Daniel hesitated.
“At first, I assumed he did. Then I contacted the real estate firm and learned the title was in your name.””
I closed my eyes.
“Why didn't you contact me directly?””
“I didn't want to create a family dispute. I thought Marcus would resolve the debt.””
“And now?””
“Now I'm concerned he's makingWhy didn't you contact me directly?””
“I didn't want to create a family dispute. I thought Marcus would resolve the debt.””
“And now?””
“Now I'm concerned he's making promises he can't keep.””
His answer was measured, almost professional.
I didn't trust him simply because he sounded reasonable.
“What exactly was promises he can't keep.””
His answer was measured, almost professional.
I didn't trust him simply because he sounded reasonable.
“What exactly was the original investment?”” I asked.
“Marcus was supposed to purchase an interest in a distribution business. We were told the deal would close within six weeks. the original investment?”” I asked.
“Marcus was supposed to purchase an interest in a distribution business. We were told the deal would close within six weeks. It never did.””
“Who received the money?””
“An intermediary.””
“Do you have the intermediary's name?””
“Yes. I'll send you It never did.””
“Who received the money?””
“An intermediary.””
“Do you have the intermediary's name?””
“Yes. I'll send you the documents I have, but only because I believe you should the documents I have, but only because I believe you should know what has been happening in your household.””
“Send them to my attorney.””
Daniel was silent for a moment.
“Your attorney?””
“Yes.””
“All right.””
Before know what has been happening in your household.””
“Send them to my attorney.””
Daniel was silent for a moment.
“Your attorney?””
“Yes.””
“All right.””
Before he hung up, he added, “Lauren, there's something else you should know. Marcus told me his mother was he hung up, he added, “Lauren, there's something else you should know. Marcus told me his mother was going to receive his entire salary because he needed to make his finances look simpler while we going to receive his entire salary because he needed to make his finances look simpler while we worked out the repayment.””
My stomach tightened.
“What does that mean?””
“I don't know. That's how he explained it.””
“Did he say when he worked out the repayment.””
My stomach tightened.
“What does that mean?””
“I don't know. That's how he explained it.””
“Did he say when he decided to give her the money?””
“Last week. He said it would prevent certain people from asking questions about his available funds decided to give her the money?””
“Last week. He said it would prevent certain people from asking questions about his available funds.””
I thanked him and ended the call.
Then I sat down slowly.
Marcus had announced his generous.””
I thanked him and ended the call.
Then I sat down slowly.
Marcus had announced his generous gift to Patricia only days after receiving his promotion.
He had framed it as loyalty.
He had made me gift to Patricia only days after receiving his promotion.
He had framed it as loyalty.
He had made me feel selfish for questioning it.
But Daniel's explanation suggested there might have been another feel selfish for questioning it.
But Daniel's explanation suggested there might have been another reason.
If Marcus was in debt, why would he deliberately transfer his entire salary to his mother?
Was he trying to avoid rep reason.
If Marcus was in debt, why would he deliberately transfer his entire salary to his mother?
Was he trying to avoid repaying Daniel?
Was Patricia aware of the loan?
Or had Marcus simply panicked andaying Daniel?
Was Patricia aware of the loan?
Or had Marcus simply panicked and given his money away without considering what would happen next?
I didn't know.
I wouldn't pretend to know.
But I intended to find out.
At noon given his money away without considering what would happen next?
I didn't know.
I wouldn't pretend to know.
But I intended to find out.
At noon, I met Evelyn in her office.
She reviewed the messages, the authorization form, and the preliminary information, I met Evelyn in her office.
She reviewed the messages, the authorization form, and the preliminary information Daniel had sent.
“This is enough to justify a more thorough review,” she said, “but we need the actual agreements and a clear record Daniel had sent.
“This is enough to justify a more thorough review,” she said, “but we need the actual agreements and a clear record of what happened to the money.””
“Can Daniel provide those?””
“He can of what happened to the money.””
“Can Daniel provide those?””
“He can provide documents he lawfully possesses. We'll also need to establish whether your financial information was used beyond the scope of the authorization you signed.””
I nodded provide documents he lawfully possesses. We'll also need to establish whether your financial information was used beyond the scope of the authorization you signed.””
I nodded.
“What about the house?””
“We'll continue protecting your title and documenting any attempts to represent that someone else has authority over the property. I also.
“What about the house?””
“We'll continue protecting your title and documenting any attempts to represent that someone else has authority over the property. I also want to review the circumstances under which you signed that authorization.””
I described the evening Marcus had brought want to review the circumstances under which you signed that authorization.””
I described the evening Marcus had brought the paperwork home.
Evelyn listened carefully.
“Did he tell you Daniel was involved?””
“No. He the paperwork home.
Evelyn listened carefully.
“Did he tell you Daniel was involved?””
“No. He said it was for a company benefits review.””
“Then preserve your recollection of that said it was for a company benefits review.””
“Then preserve your recollection of that conversation. Write down what you remember, including approximately when it occurred.””
I took out my notebook.
As I began writing, Evelyn placed another conversation. Write down what you remember, including approximately when it occurred.””
I took out my notebook.
As I began writing, Evelyn placed another document on the desk.
“There's one more issue. Daniel mentioned that Marcus was seeking additional financing. We haven't document on the desk.
“There's one more issue. Daniel mentioned that Marcus was seeking additional financing. We haven't verified whether any application was submitted, but I'd like you to check your credit reports and any accounts that could have been affected.””
I nodded.
“I'll verified whether any application was submitted, but I'd like you to check your credit reports and any accounts that could have been affected.””
I nodded.
“I'll do that.””
When I returned home that afternoon, Patricia was sitting in the living room with two shopping bags beside her.
She looked do that.””
When I returned home that afternoon, Patricia was sitting in the living room with two shopping bags beside her.
She looked up as I entered.
“Where have you been?””
“Working.””
“Marcus says you've been speaking to Daniel behind his back.””
I set down my handbag.
“Daniel called me.””
“ up as I entered.
“Where have you been?””
“Working.””
“Marcus says you've been speaking to Daniel behind his back.””
I set down my handbag.
“Daniel called me.””
“Because you encouraged him to harass my son!””
“Patricia, your son owesBecause you encouraged him to harass my son!””
“Patricia, your son owes him $25,000.””
Her face went pale.
Then her eyes narrowed.
“How much did he tell you?””
I didn't answer immediately.
She stood, leaving him $25,000.””
Her face went pale.
Then her eyes narrowed.
“How much did he tell you?””
I didn't answer immediately.
She stood, leaving the shopping bags on the sofa.
“You have no right to interfere in Marcus's business.””
“Then perhaps you should explain the shopping bags on the sofa.
“You have no right to interfere in Marcus's business.””
“Then perhaps you should explain why you were asking about my house.””
Her lips parted.
For the first time, she seemed genuinely frightened.
“I why you were asking about my house.””
Her lips parted.
For the first time, she seemed genuinely frightened.
“I was trying to help.””
“By asking a real estate firm whether the property could be sold?””
“I never said I wanted to sell your house!””
“You represented that you were acting on behalf of the family and was trying to help.””
“By asking a real estate firm whether the property could be sold?””
“I never said I wanted to sell your house!””
“You represented that you were acting on behalf of the family and requested information about a possible sale.””
She looked away.
“I was trying to find a solution.””
“To what?””
She said nothing.
I stepped closer.
“Did you know Marcus owed Daniel money requested information about a possible sale.””
She looked away.
“I was trying to find a solution.””
“To what?””
She said nothing.
I stepped closer.
“Did you know Marcus owed Daniel money before he gave you his salary?””
Patricia's expression changed again.
It wasn't surprise.
It was calculation.
Finally, she whispered, “He told me he had before he gave you his salary?””
Patricia's expression changed again.
It wasn't surprise.
It was calculation.
Finally, she whispered, “He told me he had a temporary problem.””
“How much did he tell you?””
“Not twenty-five thousand.””
“How much?””
She looked at the shopping bags a temporary problem.””
“How much did he tell you?””
“Not twenty-five thousand.””
“How much?””
She looked at the shopping bags.
“Ten.””
I stared at her.
“Ten thousand dollars?””
“He said he needed time to resolve it.””
“And you accepted his entire salary anyway.
“Ten.””
I stared at her.
“Ten thousand dollars?””
“He said he needed time to resolve it.””
“And you accepted his entire salary anyway?””
“He insisted!””
“Did he tell you that Daniel was asking about my property?””
Patricia shook her head too quickly.
“No.””
?””
“He insisted!””
“Did he tell you that Daniel was asking about my property?””
Patricia shook her head too quickly.
“No.””
I wanted to believe her.
But then she added, “Marcus said the house might helpI wanted to believe her.
But then she added, “Marcus said the house might help us get through this if you stopped being difficult.””
The room seemed to grow smaller.
“Help us get through this if you stopped being difficult.””
The room seemed to grow smaller.
“Help you how?””
Patricia pressed her lips together.
“I don't know.””
“Patricia, you need to understand something. My attorney you how?””
Patricia pressed her lips together.
“I don't know.””
“Patricia, you need to understand something. My attorney is reviewing everything. Nobody is authorized to sell my house, use it as collateral, or make financial promises on my behalf.””
She grabbed one of her is reviewing everything. Nobody is authorized to sell my house, use it as collateral, or make financial promises on my behalf.””
She grabbed one of her shopping bags.
“You think lawyers can solve everything.””
“No. But they can help establish what is true.””
She marched toward the stairs.
shopping bags.
“You think lawyers can solve everything.””
“No. But they can help establish what is true.””
She marched toward the stairs.
Halfway up, she stopped and looked back.
“You should be careful, Lauren. Marcus is under a lot of pressure. If you force him intoHalfway up, she stopped and looked back.
“You should be careful, Lauren. Marcus is under a lot of pressure. If you force him into a corner, you may not like what he does next.””
I watched her disappear upstairs.
Then I returned to the study and opened the message Daniel a corner, you may not like what he does next.””
I watched her disappear upstairs.
Then I returned to the study and opened the message Daniel had sent.
There were three attachments.
The first was the loan agreement.
The second was a transfer receipt.
The third was a document Marcus had signed acknowledging the debt and promising repayment had sent.
There were three attachments.
The first was the loan agreement.
The second was a transfer receipt.
The third was a document Marcus had signed acknowledging the debt and promising repayment by a specific date.
But it was the transfer receipt that made my hands go cold.
The $25,000 had not gone to a by a specific date.
But it was the transfer receipt that made my hands go cold.
The $25,000 had not gone to a distribution business.
It had gone to an account belonging to a company called Bennett Strategic Holdings.
I stared at the name.
Bennett was my surname distribution business.
It had gone to an account belonging to a company called Bennett Strategic Holdings.
I stared at the name.
Bennett was my surname.
But the company was not mine.
And according to the transaction record, the person who had instructed Daniel where to send the money was—
**.
But the company was not mine.
May you like
And according to the transaction record, the person who had instructed Daniel where to send the money was—
*Patricia Bennett.*
