Then a voice whispered:
“Dad?”
I knew that voice.
Ned.
My youngest son.
I screamed.
Clara grabbed my hand.
“Mom!”
I stared at the screen.
Roscoe looked toward the sound.
“It’s okay, buddy.”
Then he turned back toward the camera.
His eyes filled with tears.
“Margaret, if you find this, please forgive me.”
I couldn’t breathe.
He continued.
“I thought I could fix everything.”
He swallowed.
“But I was wrong.”
Then he whispered:
“THE BOAT ACCIDENT WAS STAGED.”
I replayed the video.
Again.
And again.
Roscoe explained that he’d discovered serious financial misconduct involving his brother.
Garrison had been using a small equipment business to move money through fraudulent contracts.
He had also become involved with dangerous people who expected repayment.
Roscoe had initially helped him.
Not because he wanted to commit crimes.
But because Garrison had begged for assistance.
He claimed he was trying to protect his family.
Then the situation escalated.
