Page 126 of Fraud
His vacant eyes met mine.
“I don’t know,” he confessed. “I don’t know.”
I joined him, taking the spot next to him, as my hand reached toward his.
“I should have checked on him. I knew he was in trouble.”
“What do you mean?”
Talking was making him restless, and he rose from the bed, pacing in front of me, as he spoke, “My brother is different. He’s smart, like child prodigy smart.”
My eyes widened. “I had no idea.”
“Not many people do,” he said. “He has several degrees and is a fucking genius when it comes to computers and technology.”
“Wow, that’s amazing.”
“No, it’s terrifying. He’s not like those nerds you see on TV. He has no vision beyond his own self-gain. He hasn’t held down a job since…well, ever, and he gets his rocks off by doing stupid shit for stupid people.”
“Stupid people who would do something like this?” I asked, taking a look around.
“Yeah, maybe.”
“This isn’t the first time?” I guessed.
He shook his head. “No. I’ve bailed him out a few times. Small stuff, like identity-stealing for petty criminals, and a few bigger ones that required some serious cash.”
“I’m so sorry. I—”
He froze, and his eyes widened. Turning toward me, he asked frantically, “Have you checked your bank account recently? Today?”
“No.”
“Do it now. Pull it up on your phone.”
“I don’t understand why—”
“Just do it, please.”
I did as he’d asked, pulling out my phone and logging into my secure app. My hands shook as I waited for it to load.
He knew the answer before I even spoke.
“Son of a bitch!”
“Oh my God,” I said softly.
“How much did he take, Kate?” he asked as the pacing began once again. “I told him to keep the fuck away. I told him not to touch your money.”
I sat there, staring at my bank account, which was now twenty-five thousand dollars slimmer. “What do you mean? How did he know anything about my bank account? My money? How did you?”
His eyes met mine, and in them, I could see so many emotions.
Sadness.
Regret.
Doubt.
