Chapter 18 - the workers my father promised to protect
The first beneficiary they found lived three states away.
Her name was Margaret Hale.
Her husband had worked for Jessi's father's construction company.
He had died in an accident twenty-three years earlier.
According to the trust documents, Margaret's family was supposed to receive monthly support.
They had received three payments.
Then nothing.
Jessi visited her personally.
Margaret opened the door slowly.
When Jessi introduced herself, the older woman stared.
“Carter?”
“Yes.”
Margaret looked away.
“I don't want trouble.”
“I'm not here to cause any.”
“Your family already caused enough.”
Jessi didn't defend herself.
“I know.”
Margaret looked at her.
“You know?”
“I know some of what happened.”
She showed her the documents.
Margaret read them.
Her hands began shaking.
“This says my husband left us a trust.”
“Yes.”
“We never got it.”
“I know.”
“Where is it?”
“That is what I'm trying to find out.”
Margaret sat down.
“My daughter couldn't go to college.”
Jessi swallowed.
“I'm sorry.”
“Sorry doesn't pay tuition.”
“I know.”
Margaret looked at her.
“So why are you here?”
“Because the money was promised to you.”
“And?”
“And I think promises should mean something.”
Margaret stared at her for a long time.
Then she asked:
“Are you going to give me money?”
Jessi shook her head.
“Not until we know exactly what happened.”
Margaret nodded.
“That answer I can respect.”
Jessi left with copies of old letters.
One contained a handwritten note from her father.
He had written:
If something happens to me, these families must not become casualties of my business.
Jessi read it in the car.
Her eyes filled.
Her father had known.
He had understood that wealth could create consequences for people who never asked for it.
That night, Jessi told her husband.
“My father wasn't perfect.”
“No.”
“He made mistakes.”
“Yes.”
“But he was trying to protect people.”
He took her hand.
“Then finish what he started.”
Jessi looked at him.
“I don't know if I can.”
“You don't have to do it alone.”
For the first time since the investigation began, Jessi smiled.
May you like
She didn't need to.
---
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