“We can settle this quietly, without any courts, without any public records,” he added.

I looked at him, seeing the desperate calculation in his eyes.

He thought this was still a business transaction.

He thought everyone had a price, and that mine was simply a return of my stolen money.

“You think you can just write a check and make me go away, Richard?” I asked.

“It would be the cleanest way for everyone,” he said, trying to project confidence.

“You get your money back, and we handle our family matters in private.”

“No,” I said.

The single word fell like a heavy stone between us.

Margaret gasped again, her face turning a deep shade of red.

“What do you mean, no?” she demanded.

“You want your money, don’t you? We are offering to give it to you!”

“I want the truth on the record,” I said.

“I want the court to list every asset Daniel stole, and I want this house sold on the public steps.”

“You are being vindictive,” Margaret hissed.

“I am being thorough,” I corrected her.