“I’m not sure that she took any of it. Brewer was the trust funds’ trustee.”

Her mouth fell open, surprised. “How did he manage that?”

“He was Rowland Senior’s attorney. Brewer used to be part of a firm downtown and another attorney from the firm set up the trust before the boys’ father was deployed. For whatever reason, Rowland appointed Brewer as the executor. Brewer’s been steadily draining money from the fund for the past four years, a little at a time. It sped up in the past year.”

“Doesn’t someone keep an eye on the trustees?”

“Supposed to. The trustee submits a report detailing the money spent and for what purpose. Brewer did this and kept copies on his hard drive. But I think he faked some of the reports. One says they spent money on cochlear implant surgery for Michael. We’ll have to ask him if he has an implant, but he wasn’t wearing a processor.”

Dani’s jaw tightened. “He doesn’t have a cochlear implant. I asked him yesterday. That surgery runs about fifty grand, and it went right into Brewer’s pocket. How did he claim a surgery that never happened?”

Diesel shrugged. “He has a doctor’s letter and copies of bills, but he could have forged those. It looks like he mostly stayed just under the minimum he was allowed to withdraw until the past year. That’s when most of the money was taken. He would have needed to submit his report soon.”

“And he wouldn’t have good reasons for spending the money. He needed to replace what he’d taken or he’d be charged with stealing. So he sells his house.” Dani swallowed hard. “And maybe his stepson?”

Diesel had to swallow back his own anger. “Possibly.” He’d assumed the same thing. “Whatever he was doing with Joshua the night Michael fought him, it wasn’t anything legit. Nothing about this whole mess is legit. Looks like Brewer withdrew the money in cash every month after it was deposited.”

“Are we back to him needing money for gambling and/or drugs?”

He nodded. “Looks like. The good news is that, because Brewer kept all of his e-mails, there are several references to casinos and bookies.”

“So you’re back to following the money.”

“Or the lack thereof. Hopefully the court required Brewer to be bonded with an insurance company when they appointed him trustee. Maybe some of the money can be reimbursed.”

“I hope so.” Folding her hands on the table, she leaned back, putting distance between them. Her whole demeanor became reserved. Not angry, just remote enough to send a shiver of dread down his spine. “What will you do next?”

What will you do next? You, not we. The question hit him hard because she asked it in the same tone that she’d take with a banker or a lawyer or . . .