Chapter 17 - Laura’s own case against Derek
Laura was not only Emily’s mother in the criminal process.
She was also a financial victim.
That created ugly family dynamics.
Some people told me:
“Laura is a victim too.”
True.
Others:
“She brought him in.”
Also true.
Victimhood does not cancel judgment.
Judgment failure does not cancel victimhood.
Her financial case involved:
Identity theft.
Forged electronic applications.
Unauthorized transfers.
Pawned jewelry.
Destruction of devices and records.
The bank reversed some fraudulent balances after investigation.
Not all immediately.
Credit reports took months to correct.
She hired counsel.
Filed identity-theft reports.
Cooperated.
No secret settlement making her rich.
Mostly paperwork and headaches.
The experience changed how she understood Derek.
He had not begun by asking for her Social Security number.
He began by:
“Helping with bills.”
Then managing passwords.
Then opening mail.
Then saying:
“You’re too busy; I’ll handle it.”
Control can arrive wearing usefulness.
May you like
That frightened her.
It should.
