But halfway up the staircase, she heard Trevor say something that frightened her.
"We need the money before Daniel gets back."
Amelia stopped.
She didn't understand what money he meant.
Only that her father was away, Vanessa was angry, and something bad seemed to be happening.
She hurried to her room.
Then looked beneath her bed for the little silver music box Naomi had left her.
She opened it.
A delicate melody began playing.
Inside the lid was a photograph of her mother.
Amelia touched it.
"Mommy, I want Daddy."
For a long time, she sat listening to the music.
Then she fell asleep without dinner.
The next morning, Daniel received a call from Westbridge Trust Company's risk review department.
He was sitting in a conference room in Chicago when his phone vibrated.
He nearly ignored it.
Then he recognized the institution's number.
He excused himself.
Stepped into the hallway.
And answered.
"Daniel Carter."
A woman introduced herself as Rebecca Sloan, a senior account officer handling a matter related to Amelia's trust.
She verified his identity through the institution's established process.
Then explained that a recent request for payment required clarification.
Daniel frowned.
"What payment?"
"An invoice for home-based developmental and respite services."
He stared.
"Amelia doesn't receive those services."
A pause followed.
Rebecca's tone became more careful.
"That's one of the reasons we're contacting you."
Daniel felt his stomach tighten.
"What do you mean?"
She explained that records showed an earlier disbursement of eighteen thousand four hundred and fifty dollars associated with a similar service arrangement, and that a new request had raised questions during review.
Daniel stopped walking.
He stood beside a hotel window overlooking traffic far below.
"Eighteen thousand four hundred and fifty?"
"Yes."
"When?"
Rebecca gave the period.
He closed his eyes.
He remembered reviewing the quarterly summary.
He had noticed an unusual expense category but assumed it related to a professional service agreement previously handled by advisers.
He had intended to ask.
Then work intervened.
He never followed up.
Now Rebecca asked whether he had authorized the arrangement.
Daniel's mouth went dry.
"No."
There was a silence.
Then she asked whether he recognized the named service provider.
He did not.
She explained that the trust company's review had identified concerns regarding the submitted documentation and that the pending payment was being held while the matter was examined.
Daniel leaned against the wall.
"Was my signature on the authorization?"
Rebecca confirmed that a document represented as bearing his signature had been submitted.
Daniel closed his eyes.
"I didn't sign it."
The account officer became very still.