Chapter 5 - THE BOX IN THE ATTIC
The box contained no cash.
Eric looked disappointed.
Jenna noticed.
Inside were:
old tax records,
letters,
a handwritten ledger,
and one sealed envelope addressed to Daniel Price.
Daniel opened it with Jenna and Linda present.
Eric demanded access.
Daniel allowed him.
Frank’s letter was dated eight months before his death.
It said:
If Eric ever asks to borrow against the house, do not let guilt make the decision.
Linda’s face changed.
Jenna looked at Eric.
He looked furious.
Frank continued:
Eric is not evil. He is frightened of failure and becomes dangerous with money when ashamed.
Silence.
Then:
Jenna will be blamed for being practical. Do not punish the child who needs less by giving more to the child who asks louder.
Linda sat down.
That line landed hardest.
Then the ledger.
Frank had loaned Eric money over the years.
$8,000.
$15,000.
$22,000.
$11,500.
Some repaid.
Some not.
Total unpaid at Frank’s death:
$34,000.
The trust documents never mentioned it.
Why?
Frank wrote it off privately.
But the letter showed pattern.
Then one final note:
If Mason or any future grandchild is ever used as leverage in a money dispute, revoke all informal access and use professionals.
Jenna felt tears rise.
Frank had never met Mason long enough to know him well.
He still anticipated the family problem.
Linda whispered:
“Your father always thought the worst of Eric.”
Jenna turned.
“No. He wrote that he wasn’t evil.”
“That’s not the same as loving him.”
Eric exploded.
“Enough.”
He grabbed the ledger.
Daniel stopped him.
“Document stays with the trust file.”
Eric stared.
Then said:
“This changes nothing.”
Maybe legally, not much.
Emotionally, everything.
Then Daniel found a second sealed item.
A bank statement.
Account:
Miller Family Reserve.
Balance at Frank’s death:
$118,000.
Jenna frowned.
“What reserve?”
Linda went pale.
Eric looked at her.
May you like
There was another family account.
And apparently only Linda knew what happened to it.
