The Charity Money
Chapter 09 - The Charity Money
The Community Charity Day photograph was more important than anyone realized.
Rachel had kept it because that event was where she and Jax first met.
But the charity itself continued for years.
The Morgan Community Fund.
It provided emergency help to struggling families.
Jax's father helped establish it.
After his death, Caleb managed the finances.
Then the fund quietly closed.
Jax assumed donations dried up.
They hadn't.
Rachel discovered that Martin had volunteered as an accountant for the fund eleven years earlier.
That was how he first entered her life.
He knew who she was.
He knew about Jax.
He knew Caleb.
Most importantly, he knew the charity's financial records were poorly managed.
Money disappeared.
Nearly $400,000 over six years.
Caleb had noticed irregularities but kept silent.
Why?
Because some documents contained his signature.
Caleb feared he would be blamed.
Martin used that fear to control him.
Jax confronted his brother.
"You knew he was stealing?"
"I suspected."
"And you said nothing?"
"I thought I'd go to prison."
"People needed that money."
"I know."
"No, you don't."
Jax was furious.
Caleb finally shouted back.
"You think I don't know what I've done?"
The room became silent.
Caleb's voice broke.
"I lost my wife because I couldn't tell her the truth."
Jax hadn't known.
"She left three years ago."
Caleb looked exhausted.
"I spent sixteen years hiding one lie with another."
Jax stared at him.
For the first time, he didn't see the older brother who controlled his life.
He saw a frightened man who had allowed fear to become character.
Rachel's records gave police enough to open a major fraud investigation.
Martin's attorney immediately tried to negotiate.
Martin would provide information about the missing charity money in exchange for reduced charges.
Jax hated the idea.
Rachel surprised him.
"Let him talk."
"He stole from you."
"He stole from everyone."
Rachel looked toward Ethan.
"If talking puts some of that money back where it belongs, let him talk."
Jax studied her.
"You've changed."
Rachel smiled sadly.
"So have you."
That night, Lily found Jax outside the hospital.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Anything."
"Why didn't you get married?"
Jax laughed.
"That's personal."
"I'm your daughter."
The word stopped him.
Lily smiled slightly.
Jax looked away.
"I think part of me kept waiting for someone I thought had already chosen to leave."
May you like
Lily looked through the hospital window toward Rachel.
"Maybe neither of you really left."
