Tell them I was just trying to manage your family’s messy estate!”

And Derek took a deep, shuddering breath.

He looked at his mother, at the head of the table she had cooked for.

He looked at his father, in the chair he had carved.

And he looked, last, at his wife.

“No, Veronica,” Derek said softly.

“I used Mom and Dad’s money to cover my debts.

I stayed quiet while you pushed them into the shed.