Chapter 2 - The Stolen Legacy
The color completely washed out of the faces of the local city officials.
Gladys frantically looked around the room for anyone who would defend her.
"She is clearly framing me to ruin this beautiful family event!" Gladys yelled hysterically.
I ignored her desperate performance and flipped to the second page of the classified dossier.
"The funds were meant for the new veteran housing project," I read aloud.
"Instead, three million dollars was diverted into a private shell company in the Cayman Islands," I stated.
My father stumbled forward and gripped the edge of a wooden chair for support.
"Gladys, tell me this is not true," my father pleaded with a trembling voice.
She refused to look him in the eye.
"Robert, you know your memory has been failing you lately," Gladys said with a fake, soothing tone.
"You probably signed those transfer papers yourself and simply forgot," she lied smoothly.
I felt a surge of hot anger rush through my veins at her cruel manipulation.
I had noticed my father repeating himself earlier, but I did not realize Gladys was weaponizing his condition.
"My father did not sign these documents, because the digital footprint traces back to your personal laptop," I countered.
The Navy officer stepped closer to me and crossed his arms over his chest.
"We have the IP addresses and the timestamps to prove it," he confirmed.
Gladys sneered and pulled out her cell phone with shaking hands.
"I am calling the police to have you removed for trespassing and harassment," she threatened.
"This is my husband's event, and you are no longer welcome here," she spat.
I stood my ground and looked her directly in the eyes.
"You can call whoever you want," I challenged her.
"But the authorities are already on their way," the officer interjected.
Suddenly, the heavy double doors at the back of the hall swung open again.
May you like
Chief Miller walked in with two armed deputies right behind him.
But to my absolute shock, the police chief was pointing his weapon directly at me.
