He targeted Linda Chen in Nevada, whose family had a land development company. He targeted Patricia Williams in California, whose family ran a chain of auto repair shops. “What happened to them?” I asked, though I wasn’t sure I wanted to know.
“Sarah Montgomery’s family lost everything, and she committed suicide 6 months after Derek disappeared with their money. Linda Chen’s family is still fighting criminal charges Dererick fabricated to cover his theft. Patricia Williams spent two years in prison for embezzlement she didn’t commit before investigators finally proved Dererick had framed her.”
The weight of Dererick’s destructive pattern was staggering.
“How does he get away with it?”
Tom clicked to another screen showing bank records and corporate filings. “He’s extremely sophisticated. Derek creates multiple shell companies, establishes false identities, and uses psychological manipulation to turn family members against each other.
By the time anyone realizes what’s happening, he’s already moved the assets offshore and disappeared.”
Marcus leaned forward. “Tom, show her what we discovered about Dererick’s current operation.”
“Derek has already stolen $375,000 from Hartwell and Son’s, not $300,000 like you thought. The additional 75,000 was taken through a series of small transfers disguised as tax payments and insurance premiums.”
I felt sick.
“How much more is he planning to steal?”
“Everything. Our analysis of the business record suggests Derek could access up to $800,000 in business assets, plus whatever personal assets your parents have that he can convince them to leverage for business expansion.”
Tom showed me financial documents I’d never seen before. “Derek has been preparing your father to sign loan applications secured by the family home, the business property, and your parents’ retirement accounts.
He’s convinced your father that these loans are necessary to stabilize the business after your supposed embezzlement.”
“But dad would never risk the house and mom’s retirement money.”
“He would if he believed his daughter was a thief and Derek was the only person who could save the family from financial ruin,” Tom said grimly. “Dererick has been systematically undermining your credibility while positioning himself as the family’s savior. It’s psychological warfare, and Derek is very good at it.”
Marcus pulled out his phone.
“Tom, show her the recording from Dererick’s recruitment call.”
Tom connected his phone to a small speaker and played an audio file. Dererick’s voice was clear and confident. “The beauty of this particular target is how attached they are to their business legacy.
The daughter has been working herself to death, trying to save the company, which makes it easy to paint her as unstable and desperate. Once we eliminate her credibility, the old man will sign anything we put in front of him.”
Another voice responded, “What about the sister?”
“Amanda’s perfect. She’s jealous of Barl’s relationship with the parents and hungry for attention.
I just had to convince her that Barl was stealing her inheritance and she became my biggest ally. She’ll help me get the father to sign the loan applications without even realizing she’s participating in fraud.”
Hearing Dererick’s casual discussion of destroying my family made me feel like I might throw up, but it also filled me with cold determination. “How do we stop him?”
“We need to catch him in the act of stealing money or get him to confess to his plans on record,” Tom said.
“The problem is that Dererick’s smart enough to never put his real intentions in writing, and he’s careful about what he says in front of witnesses.”
Marcus stood up and started pacing. “Tom, what about using me as bait? Derek still thinks I’m a potential investor in his schemes.”
“That could work.
If Dererick believes he’s recruiting another victim, he might reveal enough details to incriminate himself.”
I had an idea that scared and excited me. “What if I pretend to have a breakdown? Derrick’s been telling everyone I’m mentally unstable.
What if I show up at my parents house acting confused and desperate, begging them to forgive me for my theft and asking Derek to help me get better?”
Tom considered this. “That’s risky. If Dererick realizes you’re acting, he could become dangerous.”
“But if he believes I’ve given up fighting him, he might let his guard down enough to reveal his real plans.”
Marcus looked worried.
“Barl, I don’t like the idea of you pretending to be vulnerable around someone we know is dangerous.”
“I’ll be wearing recording devices and you’ll be monitoring everything. Besides, Dererick thinks he’s already won. He won’t expect me to be investigating him.”
Tom nodded slowly.
“It could work. Dererick’s arrogant and he loves feeling superior to his victims. If he thinks Barl has accepted his version of reality, he might brag about his plans.”
We spent the next hour planning the operation.
Tom would provide hidden recording equipment and coordinate with federal agents who had been tracking Derrick’s fraud ring. Marcus would maintain his cover as a potential investor and try to get Derek to reveal financial details. I would play the role of a defeated daughter begging for forgiveness and help.
Sarah, who had been listening from the kitchen, knocked on the door. “I hate to interrupt, but you should know that Derek’s car just pulled up outside the hardware store. He’s on his phone again.”
Tom immediately pulled out binoculars and watched Derek through the window.
After 5 minutes, Derek drove away and Tom’s expression was grim. “He was on the phone with someone discussing timeline acceleration. I heard him say 72 hours in emergency liquidation.”
My blood went cold.
“What does that mean?”
“It means Derek knows something’s wrong and he’s moving up his timeline to steal the money and disappear. We don’t have weeks or days to build a case. We have hours.”
Marcus grabbed my hand.
“Barl, this is too dangerous now. If Dererick’s panicking, he could become unpredictable.”
“All the more reason to stop him immediately. Tom, what’s our fastest option?”
“We go with your plan today.
You convince your family you’re having a breakdown and need Derek’s help. Meanwhile, Marcus arranges an emergency meeting with Derek about a time-sensitive investment opportunity. If we’re lucky, Dererick will reveal enough to arrest him before he can steal more money or hurt anyone.”
I took a deep breath, knowing I was about to walk into the most dangerous situation of my life.
“Let’s do it. But if something goes wrong, promise me you’ll protect my family, even if you can’t protect me.”
“Nothing’s going wrong,” Marcus said firmly. “We’re going to stop Derek, save your family’s business, and expose him for what he really is.”
Tom started setting up the recording equipment.
“Miss Hartwell, you’re about to become an undercover operative in a federal fraud investigation. Are you ready for that?”
I thought about Amanda’s celebration emoji, Derek’s smug manipulation, and my parents’ disappointed faces when they accused me of stealing. “I’ve been ready since the moment Derek decided to target my family.”
Within an hour, I would begin the most important performance of my life.
Derek thought he’d destroyed my relationship with my family and eliminated me as a threat. He was about to learn that sometimes the most dangerous opponent is the one who has nothing left to lose. At 2:00 that afternoon, I stood outside my parents house wearing a wire and trying to summon the courage to walk into Dererick’s trap voluntarily.
Tom had fitted me with recording devices so small I couldn’t even feel them, and Marcus was positioned three blocks away with backup equipment. Federal agents were monitoring everything from a van disguised as a cable repair truck. I’d spent the morning practicing my role: the defeated daughter who’d finally accepted that Derek was right about her mental state.
It went against every instinct I had. But I knew this was the only way to get Derek to reveal his true plans. Dererick’s rental car was in the driveway alongside Amanda’s sedan, which meant they were both inside with my parents.
I took a shaky breath and knocked on the door. Mom answered, looking surprised and worried. “Barl, sweetie, what are you doing here?”
“Mom, I need help.”
I let my voice break and forced tears to well up in my eyes.
“I think Derek was right about me. I think I’m having a breakdown and I don’t know what’s real anymore.”
She immediately pulled me inside, calling for Dad and Amanda. Within seconds, the whole family was gathered in the living room, with Derek rising from his chair with practiced concern.
“Barl, thank God you’re here,” Derek said smoothly. “We’ve all been so worried about you since yesterday.”
Dad looked confused and agitated, more so than usual. He seemed to be having trouble following the conversation, his eyes unfocused and his hands shaking slightly.
“I’m sorry for everything I said yesterday,” I continued, playing my role. “I’ve been thinking all night and I realized
