McClure pretends to read the page some more. “So, you are making the monthly payments? Or were I should say.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“All we need is your bank information.” McClure points to the form Tom is holding. “You can take that home, fill it out, and send it back to me.” McClure picks up the folder as if they are wrapping up.
“I’ll fill it out now,” Tom says. “I have all my information with me.” He reaches into his jacket and retrieves his wallet, then grabs something out of it.
“Can we have the money by this afternoon?” Patsy asks.
McClure frowns. “I want to clarify this policy is to be paid out to John Williams. That is his information you are providing, correct?”
Tom glances up. “Oh yes, we have a joint account.”
McClure glances back to John. “Yes, a joint account.”
McClure stares at John as Tom fills in the form. “John, I will need you to sign an affidavit that must be notarized. If you could please come with me, our notary’s office is this way.”
McClure stands and waits for John at the door to the back offices.
“What is he doing?” I ask quietly.
Faron waves me off, then holds his finger to his lips.
Patsy jumps up. “Let me come with him.” She’s at the door before John is.
“No, only John and the notary will be in the room. Please wait here.”
McClure leads John through the door, and one of the monitors switches over to an empty office. The door opens, and John walks in with our agent right behind him.
“John, I need to ask you if you are all right with the money going into the joint account. It appears your parents want access to it.”
John smiles. “That’s fine. I’m giving it to them anyway.”
McClure acts surprised. “Oh, can I ask why?”
John shrugs. “They need it for their business.” He doesn’t elaborate.
“Well, if that’s the case, then perhaps you should talk to your attorney first. I believe there is a way you can gift this money to your parents to avoid taxes.”
“Taxes? I didn’t think this sort of thing was taxed.”
McClure shrugs. “I don’t know the rules of your state.”
I cross my arms. There is no way John is going to buy that this guy doesn’t know the tax implications when it’s likely his job to know it. Or that the tax law that would apply here is likely federal.
“Yeah, I’m sure Montana is a lot different from New York,” John says.
Okay, I was wrong. John does buy it.
“What the hell is taking so long?” Tom asks from the other room.
Patsy grabs his arm. “Do you think they’re onto us?”
Tom sets the paper on the desk and shakes his head. “No, how could they? That girl’s death was ruled anaccident. No one suspects a thing, so please calm down. Don’t say another word until we leave. Okay?”
Patsy nods.
John steps away from McClure in their little office. “Where’s this notary?”
