Mom had discovered the truth months earlier.
She met with Vanessa.
Changed the will.
Started withdrawing money in cash because Greg had access to her bank accounts.
Vanessa helped build the false freezer bottom.
“Why hide it there?” I asked.
Vanessa almost smiled.
“Your mother said Greg knew every hiding place in the house.”
Then she looked at the basement door.
“But he never looked under the soup.”
That night, I stayed at Mom’s house.
At eleven, Greg called.
“You found it.”
I said nothing.
“The freezer,” he whispered. “I saw the soup on the floor this morning. I knew.”
Then he laughed bitterly.
“I searched everywhere, Beth. Everywhere. I never thought to look under the soup.”
“Where are you?”
“In my truck.”
“Where?”
“Lakemont.”
My stomach dropped.
“I lost four thousand tonight.”
He started crying.
“The men I owe called. If I don’t have twenty thousand by Monday, they’re coming to my house.”
