Chapter 4 - The Dance Money Never Returned
Marcus called Maya’s dance studio.
The instructor sounded surprised.
“We thought Maya was taking a family break.”
“Who told you that?”
“Vanessa.”
The studio had issued a partial refund after Vanessa canceled the
remaining term.
Marcus checked his account.
No refund appeared.
The studio sent documentation.
The money had been returned to a card ending in 4418.
Marcus did not recognize it.
Vanessa did.
He saw her reaction.
“That’s your card.”
She looked away.
“It was probably an accounting mistake.”
The refund was only $1,240.
Not enough to explain anything major.
But Marcus no longer cared about the amount.
He cared about the pattern.
He checked Maya’s summer camp.
Canceled.
Swimming lessons.
Canceled.
After-school art program.
Canceled.
Each organization had been told the same thing.
Marcus wanted to reduce expenses.
Marcus wanted Maya home more.
Marcus had changed his mind.
None of it was true.
Then one administrator forwarded an email.
It had been sent from Marcus’s personal account.
He stared at the screen.
May you like
“I never wrote this.”
Someone had access to his email.
