My Son Called A False Airport Security Threat On Me To Steal My $4m Inheritance. He Didn’t Know His Wife Was Setting Him Up The Whole Time. How Do I Deal With This Level Of Betrayal?
What followed took seven days. Amanda called the FBI the next morning. Agent Karen Wright flew to Montana that afternoon and sat with Amanda for 6 hours at Arthur’s kitchen table while Benjamin and Scott waited. Amanda gave everything. Text messages, payment records, bank accounts, names of other victims, and recordings—dozens of phone calls she had secretly taped after Shane threatened to break Benjamin’s hands.
Three days later, Shane and Chase Monroe were arrested in Las Vegas while boarding a flight to Mexico City. The charges were overwhelming. RICO violations, illegal gambling across five states, laundering $2.3 million, witness intimidation, and loan sharking involving 47 victims.
Agent Wright called Scott on the fourth day. “They’re in federal custody facing 8 to 15 years.”
“And Benjamin’s debt?” Scott asked.
“Void. Illegal from the start. And Amanda? No charges. She’s a victim.”
Benjamin spoke to Amanda days later on Arthur’s porch at sunset.
“Why testify against your brothers?”
“They stopped being my family when they threatened you,” Amanda said. “And our daughter.”
“Daughter?”
“The ultrasound confirmed it.”
Benjamin sat silently absorbing betrayal, truth, and fatherhood at once.
“I don’t know if I can forgive you.”
“I’m not asking for that yet,” Amanda said. “Just a chance to earn it.”
Benjamin looked at Scott. “What do I do?”
Scott remembered Arthur’s words. “Forgiveness must be earned. She’s trying,” Scott said. “The question is whether you’ll let her.”
Benjamin studied Amanda. The woman he loved, the woman who lied. Both real.
“Okay,” he said. “You can try. I need time.”
“I’ll wait,” Amanda said.
They were broken but together. And as dawn crept through Arthur’s windows, it felt like a beginning.
The Second Betrayal
A week later, Philip called with different news. Philip Garrett’s voice came through the phone tight with frustration.
“Scott, I need you to sit down for this.”
Scott was at the ranch repairing the north fence, the same one Arthur had written about in his journal. He set his hammer down.
“What happened?”
“Benjamin hired a new lawyer. Allison Drake from Seattle. Sharp, expensive. And she just filed a notice of appeal.”
Scott froze. “Appeal? The case is closed. Judge Merrick ruled the will valid.”
“They’re claiming new evidence. Alleged oral promises Arthur made to Benjamin. They have a witness.”
Scott drove straight to Billings and met Philip at his office. Philip slid the filing across the desk. The claim argued that in 2018 Arthur verbally promised the ranch to Benjamin. The witness was listed as Lester Wade, a former ranch hand. The filing cited Montana precedent allowing oral promises to challenge a written will if proven.
Scott recognized the name immediately. “Arthur fired Lester in 2018 for stealing diesel fuel.”
“I know,” Philip said. “But we still have to answer. The hearing is tomorrow morning.”
Park County Courthouse was packed again. Judge Merrick entered, clearly irritated.
“Why are we here again?”
Allison Drake stood. She was polished, confident, and calm. “Your Honor, new evidence has emerged regarding the true intentions of the deceased.”
“It had better be compelling,” the judge said. “I don’t enjoy re-litigating settled matters.”
Allison called her witness. “The petitioner calls Lester Wade.”
Lester took the stand. Mid-50s, weathered, visibly nervous.
“I worked at Fletcher Ranch from May to September 2018.”
“Did you ever hear Arthur Fletcher discuss estate plans with his grandson Benjamin?” Allison asked.
“Yes,” Lester said. “Summer of 2018. I was in the horse barn. Arthur told Benjamin, ‘This ranch will be yours. I’m building it for family. You’re my family.'”
A murmur rippled through the gallery.
“You’re certain?” Allison asked.
“Clear as day.”
Philip rose for cross-examination. “Mr. Wade, when were you terminated from Fletcher Ranch?”
“September 2018.”
“And why?”
“There was a misunderstanding.”
Philip produced documents. “You were fired for stealing 200 gallons of diesel fuel and selling it to a trucking company. Charges were filed. They were later dropped after restitution and a plea agreement barring you from agricultural employment. Correct?”
“Yes.”
“So you’re testifying against the man who showed you mercy on behalf of the grandson? Interesting.” Lester shifted. “When did Benjamin contact you?”
“Last week.”
“What did he offer you?”
Allison objected. “Speculation.”
“I’ll allow it,” Judge Merrick said.
“He said I’d get $5,000 if the will was overturned.”
The courtroom erupted. Judge Merrick leaned forward.
“You were promised money to testify? Only if he won? That is witness tampering,” the judge said sharply. “Miss Drake?”
Allison looked stunned. “Your Honor, I had no knowledge…”
“I believe you,” the judge replied. “But this witness is completely impeached. Proceed.”
Allison regrouped. “We call our second witness. Amanda Fletcher.”
The judge sighed. “Very well.”
Amanda took the stand, visibly shaken, tears already forming.
“Mrs. Fletcher, were you present at your wedding in December 2015?”
“Yes.”
“Was Arthur Fletcher there?”
“Yes.”
“Did you observe Arthur having a private conversation with Benjamin?”
“Yes. In the garden area.” It was emotional. “Benjamin told me afterward that Arthur promised him the ranch as his legacy.”
Benjamin stared at the floor. Scott understood immediately. Benjamin had coached her. This was perjury. Philip approached slowly.
“Mrs. Fletcher, you said this occurred near a garden? Yes, near a stable-style building?”
