Chapter 6 - Audrey did not know the name
Audrey came to my office with her attorney.
That hurt.
Not because she should not have counsel.
Because sisters do not usually bring lawyers to conversations about dead children unless they already know something is wrong.
She placed bank statements on the table.
Payments from Mercer Commercial Group.
Memo lines:
Executive family reimbursement.
No Oliver.
No OM-117.
Amounts varied.
$8,400.
$12,700.
$6,100.
$22,000.
Some paid:
Lucas’s private-school tuition.
Occupational therapy after a hand injury.
Summer academic program.
Childcare during Audrey’s business travel.
Speech? no need.
Sports camp.
Medical deductible.
Audrey said:
“Mom told me the board had approved an extended family-support benefit after Oliver died.”
“Why would Oliver’s death create benefits for Lucas?”
“She said Dad had wanted the grandchildren treated equally.”
Our father had died six years earlier.
No written policy.
“Did you ever see approval?”
“No.”
“Did you submit claims?”
“Receipts, yes.”
“To Mom?”
“Yes.”
“Did you ever list Lucas as Oliver?”
“No.”
Her attorney slid copies across the table.
Audrey’s emails:
Here is Lucas’s tuition invoice. Thank you again for helping.
Attached is the hand therapy bill.
No fake name.
No request to use my deceased son.
Then one email from Lenora:
I’ll put this through the continuation code.
Audrey:
What does that mean?
Lenora:
Old executive benefit category. It’s cleaner.
Audrey never asked again.
I looked at her.
“You should have.”
She nodded.
“I know.”
No excuse.
But not the same as knowing.
Then Nina called with a second finding.
Some reimbursements had not gone to Audrey at all.
They went directly to:
A school.
A pediatric clinic.
A travel company.
All for Lucas.
Under supporting documentation listing the dependent as:
Oliver Mercer.
May you like
That was not Audrey’s doing.
Someone had changed the name after she supplied the receipts.
