Chapter 6 - Susan’s Sunglasses
Susan arrived for voluntary interview wearing the same designer sunglasses from funeral.
Indoors.
Police asked remove for identification.
She did.
According to Detective Morgan later, she began with:
“I don’t understand why Chloe is doing this.”
That sentence told me everything about family.
The crime was always my reaction.
Not their act.
Susan admitted she knew trust existed.
Contrary to will reading.
Why lie to me?
“Richard said it was private.”
Did she know beneficiary?
“Yes.”
Me.
Did she know money funded Tyler?
She hesitated.
Some.
Then investigator showed education transfer.
$31,000 moved from my education account to Henderson Strategic Ventures.
Three days later, same company paid Tyler’s private high school tuition and summer academy deposit.
Susan said:
“I thought Richard was balancing family resources.”
No.
Not her right.
Then 2018.
$82,000 trust distribution.
Two weeks later:
Down payment on lake condo titled to Richard and Susan.
She said:
“Richard told me it came from business.”
Confirmation email had subject:
CHLOE TRUST DISTRIBUTION COMPLETE.
Susan was copied.
Her face changed.
Then:
“I don’t read his emails.”
Maybe once.
Twelve?
Then Blue Heron.
She admitted traveling with Richard to Cayman office? User said offshore. We can say an offshore jurisdiction, not specific if unnecessary. But the video prompt said offshore wire. Could mention Caribbean financial center generically.
She signed corporate documents for Blue Heron as secretary.
“What does company do?”
“Hold investments.”
“Whose?”
“Richard’s.”
Records showed trust funds entering.
Then purchasing:
Condo.
Securities.
Luxury vehicles?
Don't overdo. Real estate and investment.
Susan said she did not know source illegal.
But confirmation.
Then one document.
2015 authorization with my supposed signature.
Susan witnessed.
I was sixteen.
She knew age.
“How could Chloe sign adult trust distribution at sixteen?”
Susan:
“Richard said grandparents had emancipated some funds.”
No.
Did she see me sign?
“No.”
Then why witness?
“Richard asked.”
There.
Then multiple.
Her criminal exposure.
She retained lawyer.
Interview ended.
Then Tyler called me.
“I need to see you.”
We met at Amelia’s office.
No private.
He arrived without parents.
“I didn’t know.”
I looked.
“Grandma said that.”
His eyes filled.
“What?”
“She specifically said you didn’t know.”
He laughed bitterly.
“She always liked you more.”
Old.
“No. She protected you too.”
Then Tyler opened backpack.
Laptop.
“I took this from Dad’s house before police search.”
Amelia stiffened.
“Stop.”
He looked alarmed.
“Why?”
“It may be evidence and removing could be issue.”
He had not intended hide. He brought.
She called Detective Morgan.
Tyler explained it was his personal old laptop, though Richard used it sometimes. Fine.
On it, family shared cloud folder.
He showed email exports automatically synced.
Why police didn't already? Maybe warrant to father's devices not Tyler's. Good.
One email:
Richard to Susan, 2019:
Move 100 from C before quarter close. Blue Heron needs margin.
Susan:
Can Sterling stop?
Richard:
Not if paperwork clean.
Susan:
Use new signature?
Richard:
I have one.
That was devastating.
Then another:
Susan:
Tyler’s tuition due.
Richard:
Covered.
Susan:
From Chloe?
Richard:
Does it matter?
Susan:
Only if Maggie asks.
There.
Tyler stared at screen.
“I went to school with her money.”
“You were fifteen.”
“I still did.”
“You didn't know.”
He cried.
I had never seen.
Then:
“The car?”
What car?
At eighteen, Richard bought Tyler a BMW.
Email:
Susan:
Can we pull another 70 from C distribution?
Richard:
Yes.
My trust.
Tyler whispered:
“I called you jealous when you said Dad never bought you car.”
I remembered.
Thanksgiving.
Tyler eighteen.
I was twenty three.
He waved keys.
I said:
“Nice.”
Richard:
“Maybe if Chloe made better choices.”
Tyler:
“Some people earn things.”
I left.
Now.
Tyler covered face.
“I’m sorry.”
I was angry enough to say:
“You were cruel.”
He nodded.
“I know.”
“Not criminal then. Cruel.”
“I know.”
Then:
“What do you want from me?”
“Nothing.”
He pushed keys across table.
Current car keys?
“I want sell it.”
“Why?”
“Put money back.”
Amelia interrupted.
“Do not transfer property casually. We need determine ownership and whether vehicle subject claims.”
Again law prevents emotional mistakes.
Tyler nodded.
Then he said:
“There’s more.”
A folder named AFTER MAGGIE.
Created two months before Grandma died.
Inside plan.
Not to kill.
Estate.
Richard expected Grandma’s death.
Tasks:
Retrieve bedroom tin.
Destroy obsolete passbook.
Challenge will if Chloe primary.
Close Sterling issue.
Move remaining Blue Heron funds.
Contact Chloe before bank.
My stomach turned.
Richard knew passbook.
He meant bury evidence.
May you like
At funeral, when he slapped it into grave, he thought he had succeeded.
He did not know Grandma had told me to dig.
