Chapter 3 - THE INVOICES ON THE TABLE
Diane moved closer as I opened the folder.
“How much did you contribute?”
I turned the transfer record toward her.
Her eyes remained fixed on the figure.
“That cannot be right.”
“It is supported by the bank transfer, closing statement and agreement Trevor signed.”
She looked at her son.
“Did you sign this?”
Trevor said nothing.
His silence changed the room.
Vanessa lowered herself into a chair.
“You told us she barely contributed.”
“I said the house was part of the marital estate.”
“Part of it,” I replied. “The protected contribution was documented before closing.”
Diane glanced toward the contractor invoices scattered across the table.
“What are those?”
“Charges submitted after our separation.”
Trevor stepped forward.
“Ordinary maintenance.”
“One invoice is for converting my office.”
Diane looked toward the hallway.
“Another is for custom shelving in the primary closet.”
Vanessa placed the keys on the table.
“I thought Trevor approved it.”
“He can approve necessary maintenance during temporary possession. He cannot charge personal renovations to a shared-property account while ownership is unresolved.”
The third invoice was for a poolside event planned for the following month.
It listed wine service, lighting, rented furniture and a floral arch.
The client name had been blurred on the copy, but the billing address belonged to the house.
Vanessa shifted uncomfortably.
“It was supposed to be a small birthday.”
“It was billed as property staging and exterior improvement.”
Trevor reached for the papers.
I pulled them back.
“Why was your sister’s party submitted as a property expense?”
He lowered his voice.
“You could have discussed this privately.”
“I emailed you two days ago.”
“I’ve been busy.”
“I know. That is why I reviewed them myself.”
The invoices contained something stranger than personal spending.
All three had been issued by the same company.
Hale Residential Services.
May you like
I had never heard of it.
The registered business address belonged to Vanessa’s apartment.
