Chapter 3 - The Forensic Audit
The quiet hum of the fetal monitor in St. Jude’s Memorial Hospital was the sweetest sound I had ever heard.
Thump-thump, thump-thump, thump-thump.
The baby’s heart rate was stable. The doctor confirmed that while the shock had triggered minor contractions, the baby was safe for now, though I was placed on strict, mandatory bed rest until delivery.
Sitting at the foot of my hospital bed was Marcus Vance, my father’s head corporate attorney. He opened a heavy leather briefcase and laid out a series of printed financial spreadsheets across my tray table.
"Your father set up that $23,000 delivery trust under a dual-authorization framework, Maya," Marcus explained softly, adjusting his glasses. "The moment Caleb logged into your private account using your stolen password and initiated the cash withdrawal, an automated security flag was dispatched to the State Financial Crimes Unit."
"They thought it was untraceable," I said, leaning back against the pillows as a nurse adjusted my IV line. "Diane believed that because she had her name listed as a secondary guarantor on our marital home, she was entitled to my family’s money."
"She was dead wrong," Marcus replied with a dark smile. "When Caleb withdrew that money, he didn't just steal from you. He breached federal banking laws regarding protected medical trusts. But it gets worse for them—and much better for us."
Marcus handed me a blue folder labeled Waverly & Rourke Audit.
"For the past eight months, while you were pregnant, Caleb and Diane have been quietly forging your signature on credit applications," Marcus revealed. "They ran up over $140,000 in personal debt trying to keep Diane’s failing boutique real estate firm afloat. They were waiting for your baby to be born so they could use the child’s trust equity as leverage for a consolidation loan."
A wave of nausea hit me, but it was quickly replaced by burning rage. "They viewed my child as a bargaining chip."
"They viewed your entire marriage as an acquisition," Marcus corrected. "They thought because your father passed away two years ago, you had no protection left. They forgot that your father left his legal team intact to guard you."
The door to my hospital room opened, and Captain Miller stepped inside, holding a notepad.
"Ms. Vance," Captain Miller said respectfully. "Diane Rourke's attorney is downstairs. They are attempting to post bail. However, based on the video evidence provided by your shower guests and the financial records Mr. Vance submitted, the District Attorney has upgraded the charges."
"What are the charges now?" I asked.
May you like
"Caleb Rourke is charged with Felony Domestic Assault, Attempted Endangerment of a Vulnerable Person, and Grand Larceny," Miller reported. "Diane Rourke is charged with Grand Larceny, Conspiracy to Commit Financial Fraud, and Accessory to Assault. The judge set bail at $500,000 each. They aren't going anywhere tonight."
I took a deep breath, placing my hand over my steady bump. "Keep them in jail, Captain. Because tomorrow morning, my legal team is filing for a complete freeze on all Rourke family assets."
