Marcus had the answer by Wednesday.

"Karen Marsh is listed as the second account holder," he said.

"She co-signed when the account was opened.

Under the bank's rules for a child account, that gives her full transaction authority alongside Diane."

Daniel sat very still.

"So she could make withdrawals too."

"She could.

Whether she did is what we need to establish." Marcus turned his laptop to face Daniel.

"I've submitted a formal request for the full transaction history.

We'll have it within ten working days.

But here's what I can tell you already — the account was opened three weeks after your divorce was finalised."

Three weeks.

"She planned this before the ink was dry," Daniel said.

"It appears so." Marcus turned the laptop back.

"Now.

Hale contacted me this morning.

He wants to propose a settlement — you agree not to pursue the financial audit, Diane agrees not to push for the income review.

Everything stays as it is."

"She wants me to drop it."

"She wants it to go away."

Daniel looked at the window.

Rain again.

The same grey sky it had been all week.

"What happens to Lily if I drop it?"

Marcus was quiet for a moment.

"The same thing that's been happening," he said.

"The money you send goes into that account.

Karen co-signs the withdrawals.

Lily gets nothing."

"Then I'm not dropping it."

"I expected that answer." Marcus picked up his pen.

"There's something else.

I made some enquiries about Hale.

He's represented Diane before — not in family law.

In a civil matter, four years ago.

Before your divorce."

Daniel frowned.

"What kind of civil matter?"

"A dispute with a former employer.

Diane claimed constructive dismissal.

The case was settled out of court." Marcus paused.

"The employer's name on the filing was a company called Marsh Property Holdings."

The name landed slowly.

"That's her mother's company," Daniel said.

"Yes." Marcus set the pen down.

"Karen Marsh owns Marsh Property Holdings.

She was Diane's employer.

And four years ago, Diane sued her own mother for constructive dismissal — then settled privately." He looked at Daniel steadily.

"These two women have a complicated history.

And right now they are presenting a united front.

I want you to think about what happens if that front cracks."

Daniel thought about Diane's text.

*My mum had nothing to do with this.

Leave her out of it.*

Not *my mum is innocent.*

Leave her out of it.

"She's protecting her," he said slowly.

"Or she's afraid of her."

"Possibly both," Marcus said.

"Either way — we don't need to crack them apart ourselves.

We just need the transaction records.

If Karen was making withdrawals, the records will show it.

And at that point, Diane's position becomes very difficult."

Daniel's phone buzzed on the table between them.

He turned it over.

A message from Diane.

*I need to see you.

Not through solicitors.

Just us.

For Lily's sake.

Please.*

He showed it to Marcus without a word.

Marcus read it.

Looked up.

"Don't go," he said.

"Not alone."