The business partner told investigators that the old mechanic's son had recently been arguing about missing funds.
Then the charity account records revealed something worse.
More than thirty-one thousand dollars had disappeared.
Several withdrawals appeared to carry authorization associated with the son's workshop credentials.
The father was devastated.
At first, he refused to believe it.
His son had worked beside him since childhood.
He'd never stolen so much as a screwdriver from another mechanic.
But the business partner insisted the evidence was clear.
He showed the old mechanic copies of payment approvals.
He explained that the son had access to the relevant computer.
And he suggested the fire might have been started to destroy documents.
The father demanded that his son explain.
The young man arrived at the garage the following morning.
His face was pale.
He hadn't slept.
He looked at the accusations, then shook his head.
"Those aren't my approvals."
The business partner laughed bitterly.
"Your name's right there."
"Somebody used my login."
The father stared.
"Who?"
The son looked toward the partner.
For several seconds, the room remained silent.
Then the young man answered.
"You know who."
The partner's expression changed.
He stepped closer.
"Careful, boy."
The father slammed his hand onto the desk.
"Enough!"
The young man turned toward him.
"Dad, I can prove it if you'll give me time."
The father felt anger rising.
He'd spent his entire life trusting his son.
Now the business was damaged.
Charity money was missing.
And his closest friend was accusing the boy of something unthinkable.
The father looked toward the copied approvals.
Then toward the burned storage building visible through the office window.
He wanted a simple explanation.
Instead, his son was asking him to question the man he'd trusted for decades.
"Tell me where the money went."
The young man shook his head.
"I didn't take it."
The father leaned forward.
"Then explain the documents."
"They were changed."
"By who?"
The son looked toward the business partner again.
The father lost his temper.
He pointed toward the garage door.
"Get out."
The young man stared.
For a moment, he seemed unable to understand what he'd heard.
"Dad?"
The older mechanic's voice broke.
"I said get out."
His son took a step forward.
"Please. Just listen."
The father turned away.
He couldn't bear looking at him.
"Until you tell me the truth, don't come back."
The room became silent.
Then the young man asked one final question.
"You're choosing him?"