The Lily Account

June opened the folder herself.

No one touched her. No one read over her shoulder until she nodded. Elise had never seen Claire work so hard to be still.

The first page was a trust account statement under the name Lily Bell. Balance: $1,840,000.

June laughed once. "That is fake."

"No," Theo said softly. "It looks very real."

The second page explained why. The money had come from a settlement after a denied policy tied to Ruby's husband. Vivian had clawed part of it back from a foundation reserve and hidden it under June's birth name.

Ruby had not known. Claire had not known. Martin had almost known.

Elise read Vivian's note aloud because June asked her to.

"This money belongs to the child because the first theft began with the mother. If Martin finds it, he will call it proof of Claire's fraud. It is restitution, not inheritance."

Claire covered her eyes. "Vivian let me raise June on stolen money and hid the repayment."

"She hid it from Martin," Elise said.

"She hid it from June."

No one argued.

Theo pointed to the account custodian. "Mara Kline administered this."

Roslyn called for a warrant on Mara's last known address. Elise expected delay. Instead Roslyn got a hit in two minutes: Mara had used her notary license that morning at a roadside title office.

"Where?" Elise asked.

"North county. She notarized a vehicle transfer."

"What vehicle?"

Roslyn's mouth tightened. "A black SUV."

Ruby's blanket flashed in Elise's mind. Rain. Brake lights. Mud-covered plate.

June stood. "She took Ruby."

"We do not know that," Claire said.

"Stop saying that when we do."

Elise picked up her coat.

Roslyn held up a hand. "No."

"Mara has Ruby and access to June's account."

"Which is why I am going with a warrant, not your shoulder injury and rage."

Theo looked at Elise. "She's right."

Elise hated both of them, but only because they were.