Chapter 6 - Michael’s Last Excuse
Michael arrived at the hospital shortly after sunrise.
Evelyn was waiting in the hallway outside Helen’s room.
He looked as though he had aged ten years overnight. His gray suit was wrinkled, and his tie hung loosely around his neck.
“Is Mom okay?”
“She has two cracked ribs.”
Michael’s face tightened.
“I didn’t know.”
“You watched her fall.”
“I didn’t know the ribs were cracked.”
Evelyn studied him.
That was what guilt did when it was still protecting itself. It argued about the size of the harm instead of admitting the choice that caused it.
“Dana told the police Mom attacked her.”
“I know.”
“You supported her statement.”
“I said Mom was agitated.”
“You told Officer Mercer she touched Dana.”
“She did.”
“After Dana grabbed her.”
Michael looked toward Helen’s door.
“Can I see her?”
“No.”
“She’s my mother.”
“You remembered that too late.”
He lowered his voice.
“Evelyn, you don’t understand what happened.”
“I watched it.”
Michael’s eyes widened.
“The camera?”
“Yes.”
He leaned against the wall.
“Dana said the system wasn’t uploading.”
“Dana was wrong.”
For several seconds, Michael said nothing.
Then he began to cry.
Evelyn had seen defendants cry in court, executives cry during depositions and officers cry when confronted with body-camera footage. Tears could come from remorse, fear, humiliation or the collapse of control.
She waited to learn which kind these were.
“I never wanted Mom hurt,” he said.
“But you wanted her silent.”
“No.”
“You forged her signature.”
“Dana handled the paperwork.”
“You used the money.”
“It was supposed to be temporary.”
“You purchased houses.”
“Investments. We planned to sell them and return everything with profit.”
“You gambled charitable funds on private property.”
“We were under pressure.”
“From whom?”
Michael wiped his face.
“Our company was failing. A development project collapsed. Dana’s father offered to help, but he wanted guarantees. We borrowed from the foundation.”
“You did not borrow. You stole.”
“I was going to replace it.”
“When?”
“I don’t know.”
“And the transfer of Mom’s house?”
“Dana said it would protect the property.”
“From Mom.”
Michael looked ashamed.
“Dana thought Mom might discover the transfers and remove me as treasurer.”
“So you prepared to have her declared incapable of managing her affairs.”
“It wasn’t final.”
“You created medical notes.”
Michael’s head rose.
“How do you know?”
“I didn’t. Thank you for confirming it.”
He stared at her.
Evelyn continued.
“Who wrote them?”
“No one wrote false medical notes.”
“You just reacted as though I named something real.”
Michael sank into a chair.
“Dana had conversations with a doctor who knew her father. She said we needed documentation showing Mom was becoming forgetful.”
“Was she examined?”
“No.”
“Did the doctor meet her?”
“I don’t think so.”
“You planned to steal her authority, her home and her credibility.”
Michael pressed both hands over his face.
“I lost control.”
“No. You surrendered it, one decision at a time.”
Helen’s door opened.
A nurse stepped out.
“She’s awake,” the nurse said to Evelyn. “She asked whether her son is here.”
Michael stood hopefully.
Evelyn entered the room alone.
Helen looked small beneath the hospital blanket, but her eyes were clear.
“He came?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Is Dana with him?”
“No.”
Helen stared at the ceiling.
“I kept wondering whether he would tell the truth when the police arrived.”
Evelyn sat beside her.
“I’m sorry.”
“I taught him better.”
“You did.”
“Then how did he become this?”
Evelyn held her mother’s hand.
“People can be taught what is right and still choose what is easy.”
Helen’s eyes filled with tears.
“Does he know about the camera?”
“Yes.”
“What did he say?”
“That he lost control.”
Helen gave a sad, exhausted laugh.
“Michael always thinks losing control means someone else made the decision.”
“Do you want to see him?”
Helen was silent for a long time.
Finally, she said, “Not today.”
Evelyn returned to the hallway.
Michael read the answer on her face.
“She doesn’t want to see me.”
“Not today.”
“What about tomorrow?”
“That depends on her.”
He nodded.
As he turned away, two investigators entered the corridor.
One carried a folder.
The other held up an identification card.
“Michael Cross?”
Michael stopped.
“Yes?”
“We are investigators with the county financial-crimes unit. We need to speak with you regarding the Cross Family Foundation.”
Michael looked at Evelyn.
May you like
She did not move.
For the first time in his life, his sister did not step forward to protect him.
