Chapter 5: The Account That Was Empty
Renee didn't move.
Robert's warning seemed to echo inside her head.
Check your bank account.
She reached into her handbag and pulled out her phone.
Devon watched her.
“Renee, don't.””
She looked up.
“Don't what?””
“Don't make any decisions while you're upset.””
Renee unlocked her phone.
“I'm not making a decision. I'm checking my money.””
She opened her banking application.
The screen loaded.
Her checking account appeared first.
Then her savings account.
She tapped the savings account.
Her face changed.
The balance was $2,143.
She blinked.
Then refreshed the screen.
The number remained the same.
Two thousand, one hundred and forty-three dollars.
That account had contained more than $19,000 just a month earlier.
Her fingers went cold.
“Devon?””
He stared at the phone.
“What's wrong?””
“Where is my money?””
He took a step toward her.
“Renee, listen—”
“Where is it?””
Robert moved closer.
“Mrs. Carter, please don't make any transfers or authorize anything until we've reviewed the transaction history.””
Renee scrolled down.
There were several withdrawals.
One transfer for $8,000.
Another for $5,500.
Then three smaller transactions.
She recognized none of them.
The largest transfer had gone to an account ending in 4821.
She turned the screen toward Devon.
“Whose account is this?””
Devon looked at it.
Then his eyes moved toward Celeste.
Celeste noticed.
“What?”” she asked.
Renee held out the phone.
“Do you recognize this account?””
Celeste examined the screen.
Her expression changed immediately.
“That isn't mine.””
Renee watched her closely.
“Are you sure?””
“Of course I'm sure.””
Devon stepped between them.
“Renee, this is not the place to discuss personal banking.””
She laughed bitterly.
“Funny. You seemed perfectly comfortable discussing my personal finances when you used them to open your business.””
Paula approached cautiously.
“Mr. Devon, perhaps we should move the guests into the garage.””
Devon snapped at her.
“Just leave us alone!””
Paula stopped.
Renee continued scrolling.
Then she found a transaction dated the previous Friday.
$3,500.
The description read:
*PROPERTY ADMINISTRATION SERVICES.*
She looked at Robert.
“Can you tell me what this is?””
He examined the screen.
“Not without the full transaction records. But I recommend contacting your bank immediately.””
Renee nodded.
She called the number printed on her banking card.
A customer service representative answered after several minutes.
Renee explained that she had discovered withdrawals she did not recognize.
The representative asked security questions.
Then she placed Renee on hold.
The reception area was unusually quiet.
Celeste stood beside the cupcake table, arms folded.
Devon kept looking toward the entrance, as though he hoped the customers would suddenly forget what they had witnessed.
Finally, Renee's phone beeped.
The representative returned.
“Mrs. Carter, I can confirm that the transfers were authorized through a linked external account.””
Renee closed her eyes.
“Can you tell me who authorized them?””
“I'm sorry. We can provide further details through a formal account investigation.””
“Was it done through my phone?””
“Some transactions were initiated using a previously authorized device.””
Renee slowly lowered the phone.
She looked at Devon.
He had once known her banking passwords because they shared household expenses.
He knew her birthday.
He knew the answers to her security questions.
He had helped her set up the account years ago.
“Devon,” she whispered.
“You had access.””
He rubbed his face.
“I didn't steal anything.””
Renee stared at him.
“Then where did it go?””
He looked toward Celeste.
She shook her head.
“Don't look at me.””
Devon exhaled.
“I used some of it for the business.””
“Some?””
“And I paid a few expenses.””
“What expenses?””
He hesitated.
“Personal things.””
Renee's face tightened.
“Whose personal things?””
Celeste took a step backward.
“Devon, don't involve me.””
Renee looked at her.
“Why would you be involved?””
Celeste said nothing.
Robert intervened.
“Mr. Carter, I suggest you answer carefully. These transactions may become part of a formal investigation.””
Devon glared at him.
“You're supposed to be my attorney.””
Robert closed his briefcase.
“I was retained to handle the original business registration and property transaction. I am not here to protect anyone from the consequences of unauthorized financial activity.””
Renee sat down again.
Her breathing had become shallow.
The baby moved beneath her hand.
She pressed her palm against her stomach and tried to steady herself.
A few seconds later, a woman in a black jacket approached from the garage.
It was Margaret, Devon's mother.
She had arrived earlier with a gift bag but had been speaking to an old family friend near the workshop.
“What is happening here?”” Margaret asked.
Devon immediately turned.
“Mom, can you please take Renee home?””
Margaret looked at her daughter-in-law.
Then at the paperwork.
“What happened?””
Renee tried to speak, but her voice caught.
Margaret approached her.
“Sweetheart, are you all right?””
Renee nodded weakly.
“Your son has been moving money out of my savings account.””
Margaret froze.
“What?””
Devon stepped forward.
“Mom, it's a misunderstanding.””
Renee turned her phone toward her.
“Nearly seventeen thousand dollars is gone.””
Margaret stared at the screen.
Then she looked at her son.
“Devon, tell me this isn't true.””
He shook his head.
“I was trying to keep the shop running.””
“With her money?””
“I was going to pay it back.””
Margaret's face hardened.
“You told me Renee was helping with the business because she wanted to.””
“She did want to.””
“Then why is she standing here looking like someone has betrayed her?””
Devon didn't answer.
Margaret looked toward Celeste.
“And who is this woman?””
Celeste lifted her chin.
“I'm Celeste.””
“I didn't ask your name. I asked why you're standing beside my son like you're his wife.””
Celeste glanced at Devon.
He remained silent.
Margaret's expression changed.
“Oh, Devon.””
She shook her head.
“Your wife is carrying your child, and you're standing here letting another woman speak for your marriage?””
Devon raised his voice.
“Mom, this is my life!””
Margaret pointed at Renee.
“And that's your family!””
The room fell silent again.
Renee looked down.
She didn't want another argument.
She wanted the truth.
Robert quietly gathered the documents.
“Mrs. Carter, I can send you copies of everything. I also recommend arranging an independent legal consultation.””
Renee nodded.
Then she looked at Devon.
“I need you to tell me where the money went.””
He opened his mouth.
But Celeste spoke first.
“Ask him about the apartment.””
Devon turned sharply.
“Celeste!””
Renee looked at her.
“What apartment?””
Celeste's eyes filled with frustration.
“The apartment he rented near the shop.””
Renee frowned.
“Why would he need an apartment? We have a house.””
Celeste looked at Devon.
Then back at Renee.
“He told me he needed somewhere to stay when he worked late.””
Renee slowly stood.
“How long has he had it?””
Celeste hesitated.
“Four months.””
Four months.
Renee remembered those nights.
The late phone calls.
The messages saying Devon was sleeping at the shop.
The weekends when he claimed the equipment installation had taken longer than expected.
She had believed him.
She had packed food for him.
She had reminded him to rest.
Now she understood.
“Did you live there with him?”” Renee asked.
Celeste looked down.
Then she nodded.
Renee closed her eyes.
Devon reached for her.
“Renee, please.””
She stepped away.
“Don't touch me.””
Margaret covered her mouth.
Paula stared at the floor.
Celeste picked up her handbag.
“I didn't know everything he told me was a lie.””
Renee looked at her.
“You knew he was married.””
Celeste said nothing.
“You knew I was pregnant.””
Still nothing.
“And you stood beside him while he called you his wife.””
Celeste's eyes filled with tears.
Devon suddenly grabbed her wrist.
“Don't say another word.””
Celeste pulled away.
“Don't you dare tell me what to say!””
The two began arguing.
Renee watched them.
The man who had promised to build a future with her was now arguing with the woman he had promised another future.
Then her phone vibrated.
A new message appeared from an unknown number.
*Mrs. Carter, my name is Daniel Brooks. I'm calling about the $72,000 loan connected to your husband's repair shop. We need to speak urgently.*
Renee opened the message.
A second message arrived.
*Your name appears on the guarantee. However, there's a problem with the signature.*
She looked up at Robert.
He read the message over her shoulder.
May you like
His expression became serious.
“Mrs. Carter,” he said, “I think we need to find out exactly who signed that guarantee.””
