"Mr. Carter, thank you for telling us. We'll document your statement and follow our procedures."
He took a breath.
"Can I see the records?"
She explained how he and his counsel could obtain relevant information through the proper channels.
Daniel agreed.
Then asked one question that changed his entire day.
"Who submitted the request?"
Rebecca could not provide every detail over the telephone, but she identified the company named on the invoice.
Carter Family Support Services.
Daniel frowned.
He had never heard of it.
Then the account officer described the business contact information.
One name appeared.
Trevor Monroe.
Vanessa's brother.
Daniel went completely still.
For several seconds, he could not speak.
Rebecca asked whether he was still on the line.
He answered quietly.
"Yes."
His mind was racing.
Trevor.
Amelia's trust.
A payment he had never approved.
A signature he did not remember providing.
And Vanessa, who had recently become strangely defensive whenever he asked about household expenses.
He thanked Rebecca.
Ended the call.
Then stood alone in the hallway.
For the first time, Daniel wondered whether the woman in his home was keeping secrets far more serious than unpaid bills.
He called Vanessa immediately.
She did not answer.
He called again.
Voicemail.
Then he checked his missed notifications.
There was a message from Denise.
He listened.
By the time she finished speaking, Daniel felt sick.
His mother-in-law had tried to visit Amelia.
Vanessa refused.
The little girl was supposedly resting during a school morning.
He called Denise.
She answered quickly.
"Daniel?"
He took a breath.
"What happened yesterday?"
She explained.
Vanessa's refusal.
The strange tone.
The fact that Amelia never came to the door.
Daniel listened.
Then asked, "Did she say Amelia was sick?"
"No."
"Then why couldn't you see her?"
Denise hesitated.
"Daniel, I don't know."
Her voice softened.
"But something didn't feel right."
He closed his eyes.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Denise asked, "Is Amelia okay?"
Daniel stared toward the conference room.