“You increased my life insurance to two million dollars?”
“No.”
“You just said—”
“I said there was a policy. I didn’t increase it.”
“Who did?”
“I don’t know.”
“Who was the beneficiary?”
“Me.”
“And if you were d/e/@/d?”
“Emily and Ryan equally.”
Daniel glanced at Michael.
“Ryan said there was an amendment.”
Michael nodded slowly.
“If the beneficiary structure changed, somebody forged authorization.”
I folded my arms.
“How convenient.”
“Maggie.”
“Don’t.”
He stopped.
We went to the Cicero warehouse with officers positioned several blocks away.
Michael resisted police involvement.
I ignored him.
I was finished allowing secrets to dictate my life.
The warehouse stood beside an abandoned freight yard, surrounded by rusted fencing.
We entered through a side door.
The building smelled of machine oil and dust.
“Emily?” I called.
My voice echoed.
“Mom!”
I started running.
Michael caught my arm.
“Wait.”
I pulled free.
“Stop protecting me.”
