She Ain't My Blood, But She's My Girl

Chapter 25

Logan and Dillion are on the way to meet Colin at the diner. Logan told Dillon about Richard meeting them at the diner also. Dillon nodded his head. He thought that would be a good idea. They could use the wisdom that comes with age.

When they arrived, Logan could see Collin sitting in the back of the diner at the table. He also saw Richard approaching him. Dillon parked the car and he and Logan hurried into the diner.

Logan: "Hey guys," he was almost out of breath. His lung was not used to the high altitude. "Richard is going to join us. He has dealt with finances all his life. I'm sure we will find him very useful." Logan was looking at Collin, begging him not to make a comment. "Finn still asleep?"

Collin: "Mr. Gilmore, it is an honor to have you join us. I am sure you will have insight that we don't." Collin shook his hand, as well as Logan and Dillon's. "As for Finn. I hope he is still asleep, but Steph is on her way to help with the dinner party for tonight." Collin sat back down and opened a folder only to close it back when the waitress came to take their order.

After she left, Collin opened the folder and handed a copy to Dillon and One for Richard and Logan to share.

Collin: "This is all I could get on short notice, but I believe this will give a direction to go in. If you will look at the 2nd page. You will notice it is a bank statement." Alway the snob. "I don't believe I have ever seen a bank statement with a balance that low unless I was closing out an account." They all looked at the bottom of the page. $150.00." Collin flipped the page, as did the rest, following his lead. "$235.02. "You can continue to look through the bank statements. I am sure you noticed at the top of each page, most of these belong to Jaylan, some to Nancy, and some with both their names. I even found one with Mia's name on it. Look at the last page." Everyone flipped to the last page. The balance on the account was $10.00. "This $10.00 is probably the amount needed to keep the account open. If you will notice, I only have last year's statements." Collin paused to give them time to look over the statements.

Richard: "This...with Mia's name on it…..this past year," he stopped talking to count. "This past year, $400,000 has been withdrawn a total of 35 times through this year only. What the hell is going on here?" Logan didn't want him to have a heart attack over this. He put his hand on Richard's arm to get his attention.

Logan: "Richard, I need you to stay calm. We need you to be able to help figure out what is going on."

Richard: "I am sure I know what has happened. I just need a little bit more information. Collin, can you get the original date this account was set up...Oh, and the amount that was put into it at the time it was open.." Collin was writing in his notebook. "I don't know if you will be able to get it, but if you can find out who opened the account and who each of the amounts of money came from." Richard was still flipping through the papers in the folder.

Dillon: "Mr. Gilmore, what is it that you think happened?" Richard looked at Dillon, but before he could speak, the waitress brought their food. They put all the folders away. The waitress left, after serving their breakfast and flirting with them. Everyone's eyes went to Richard.

Richard: "Mind you, this is only a guess. An opinion of sorts. Jaylan Sr. left Mia a trust fund. When he passed. Jaylan Jr. was probably appointed as the trustee. Jaylan Sr. and Jr were probably still disappointed that Tristan chose to serve in the Military instead of taking his rightful place in the Dugray family business." He stopped and took a sip of his coffee. "Jaylan Jr probably drained the trust fund. This is referred to as a trustee's breach of fiduciary duty. A trustee is required to act prudently and consistently with what a reasonable trustee would do in a similar circumstance."

Collin: "I have some experience in setting up trust funds. Logan before you say anything. I know, I have experience in spending trust funds. But they are mine." Logan and Collin both were smiling. "When a trust is set up, the grantor, in this case, Jaylan Sr. The grantor determines how much money should be put in the trust and when. He also determines who the trustee will be. In most cases, the grantor can be the trustee, but he has to designate in his Will who will replace him at his passing. The grantor determines when the beneficiary can receive the trust. That can vary. Logan's trust along with mine and several of our friends was set up in tiers. For example, if a beneficiary turns 16, his trust could allow for the purchase of a vehicle, with limitations as well as an allowance. At high school graduation, his trust could allow for another new car, a summer excursion, add to the allowance, then college tuition. At the age to be determined by the grantor, the beneficiary could be giving all or half. All of this is written up in the trust and can not be changed. Even after the original trustee has passed." Collin sat back in his seat when he finished. They all sat there processing what was said.

Dillon: "I know I am not a trust fund kid, no offense to those of you that are." Before Dillon could finish Chris walked up.

Chris: "Rory told me where to find you and what was going on." He sat down at the table. "Don't let me interrupt. I will catch up or ask questions when needed." He motioned for the waitress to bring him a cup of coffee.

Dillon: "I am not as familiar with the working of trust funds. So let me put this in laymen's terms to make sure I understand what Mr. Gilmore thinks it happened." Dillon took a sip of his coffee, taking the time to look at each person at this table. The waitress brought Chris his coffee and topped off the rest. "Sr. set up a trust for Mia when she was born. When he passed, Jr. was in charge of the trust. He has, over time, stolen the money in the trust that was set up for Mia. Is this what you think happened, Mr. Gilmore?" Dillon was looking at Richard, while Chris was thumbing through the folder Logan gave him.

Richard: Yes, I believe this is what happened...I want to know if Collin or Dillon can prove this without hurting my granddaughter and my great-granddaughter?" Richard said, looking at Collin and Dillon.

Logan: "I assure you that Mia does not need the money. Mia will never have to want for anything." He looked at Chris. Who was still looking at the papers, Chris nodded.

Dillon: "I have a question. Is it possible that Sr. set this trust up so that the only way to get to the money is through Mia or Mia's death?" Dillon was watching everyone, this was his training. Logan and Chris's heads whipped around to look at Dillon, then back to Collin waiting on an answer.

Collin: "Yeah, It is possible. We have to get our hands on a copy of the original trust." He hated being the one to confirm the possibility that Mia could be in danger or that she is being used.

Logan: "Do you think Tristan is in on this. Whatever this is?" Logan was waiting on an answer, but it never came. Dillon was texting on his phone. He put the phone back in his pocket.

Dillon: "Okay, these conversations and theories need to be kept quiet." Dillon was watching then. Logan began to say something. "I am advising you to tell Rory just enough that she will not trust the Dugray to be around Mia, without supervision." Logan nodded. "Now, if you gentlemen will excuse me," He stood up and gave them all a business card with his cell number on it. "I have some things to take care of. It is in your best interest that you don't know what it is. I do need you to text me, even if it is something you don't think is important. It could be the thing I am looking for to put the nail in the coffin. Logan, I assume you can get a ride back to the Chalet?" Logan nods. Dillon throws some bills on the table and walks out of the diner.