At the bottom of the steps stood a woman wearing a gray suit and holding a digital tablet. She was the lead financial auditor assigned to the foreclosure transfer.
She opened my parents suitcases and conducted a quick inspection.
Within seconds she found a solid gold Rolex hidden inside one of my father’s socks and a diamond bracelet sewn into the lining of my mother’s cosmetic pouch.
Without speaking she removed both items and placed them on a nearby evidence table.
“You are cleared to leave the property,” she said calmly.
My parents stood on the gravel driveway looking completely lost.
“Where are our cars,” Gregory asked with a trembling voice while scanning the empty valet parking area.
The auditor did not even glance up from her tablet.
“Those vehicles were leased through your son’s corporate accounts. They have been seized as part of the federal investigation. You will need to walk.”
My mother let out a quiet sob when she realized she would be walking miles in freezing temperatures while wearing thin designer heels.
I walked to the buffet table where one catering employee was packing the remaining glassware.
I lifted a crystal champagne flute and nodded toward the open bottle beside him.