Chapter 8
Ralph insisted he never disabled the cameras.
The IT contractor agreed.
The activity came from a tablet usually kept in Ralph and Bernice’s home office.
The device automatically logged in under Ralph’s profile.
Bernice used it routinely.
Rocco ordered the camera system preserved.
Then he did something his family hated more.
He reported the suspected foundation theft to outside counsel, the insurer, and the appropriate authorities.
Bernice called him immediately.
“You reported your own mother?”
“I reported missing charity money.”
“You know what this will do to us.”
Rocco looked toward Mia coloring at the kitchen table.
“For three days everybody in that arena knew what was happening to my daughter and kept asking what it would do to the family if they challenged you.”
Bernice went quiet.
“I'm done with that question.”
She hung up.
Laine arrived at Rocco’s apartment that evening.
Alone.
Her anger had disappeared.
“I need to know what Mom did.”
“You tell me.”
Laine admitted Bernice had been sending her money for nearly a year.
Sometimes $5,000.
Sometimes $20,000.
Laine believed it came from accounts Ralph controlled.
She knew asking too many questions would be uncomfortable.
So she did not.
“That's not the same as knowing she stole it.”
“No.”
Rocco looked at her.
“But you were willing not to know.”
Laine cried.
Rocco did not comfort her.
He also did not pretend she had masterminded something evidence did not support.
Then she told him about a black equipment bag.
Bernice had brought it to Laine’s apartment twice.
Cash inside.
Laine refused the cash both times because large amounts frightened her.
Bernice claimed she was moving it temporarily because Ralph had become suspicious about bank withdrawals.
“When?”
“The last time was the week before your trip.”
Rocco’s attention sharpened.
“Where is the bag?”
“I don't know.”
But Mia might.
The child had told Caroline:
Grandma put the kid money in Aunt Laine’s bag.
May you like
Maybe she had not meant Laine’s personal bag.
Maybe she had seen the black equipment bag Bernice planned to bring to Laine.
