Part 2: My aunt wanted to adopt my little sister after our parents d*ed just to get her hands on the money — she had no idea I had one more card to play.

But he wasn’t the only one exposed.

Kessler had helped Howard create false property inspections and signatures connected to the missing funds.

If Dad went to police, both men faced prison.

So Kessler proposed a solution.

Get the ledger.

Destroy the evidence.

Intimidate my parents.

If necessary, silence them.

Howard agreed.

Denise knew nothing about Kessler.

She knew Howard was desperate.

She knew he intended to pressure Mom and Dad.

She followed him to the house.

But the conspiracy was bigger than she realized.

The prosecutors reconstructed the night piece by piece.

At 11:28, Howard entered through the back door.

My father had apparently agreed to one final meeting.

Howard demanded the original ledger.

Dad refused.

They fought.

Denise arrived.

Mom came downstairs.

Howard opened the solvent can and threatened to burn the documents.

A lamp was broken.

Denise chased Howard from the house.

But according to forensic evidence, the fatal fire had not started yet.