The records in my blue folder told a different story.

A family trust held a minority interest in three shopping centers.

Its annual distributions were supposed to cover expenses and, after certain conditions were met, flow to me.

Over time, the trust’s ownership had become tangled with partnerships managed by Brandt Development.

I hadn’t noticed the connection because the payments were routed through companies with unfamiliar names.

The paperwork carried my address, my Social Security number, and signatures that resembled mine closely enough to fool someone looking quickly.

Evelyn was careful when she explained it.