**$87 at Target** – Warm blankets, children’s underwear, socks, winter boots for a small girl, and a winter jacket.
**$312 at Stop & Shop** – Groceries. Real food. Fruits, vegetables, milk, chicken, bread. Nothing extravagant.
**$1,247 at Macy’s** – Not designer clothes for herself. Two warm coats, snow boots, gloves, hats. One set for a child. One set for an adult.
Brennan leaned back in his leather chair, frowning. Still nothing crazy.
But then the pattern shifted.
**$2,890 at Boston Children’s Hospital** – Payment toward an outstanding balance.
Brennan sat up straighter. He called his assistant immediately.
“Find out whose bill that is.”
Ten minutes later, the report came back. It was for Indie Reeves. She had a congenital heart condition that required regular medication and monitoring. Sutton had been making $25 monthly payments when she could.
Brennan felt the first crack in his armor.
The transactions kept coming.
**$4,800 at a modest apartment complex in Dorchester** – First and last month’s rent plus security deposit for a one-bedroom.
**$1,350 at IKEA** – A child’s bed, mattress, blankets, a small table, and dishes.
**$980 at Walmart** – School supplies, a backpack, clothes for Indie, and hygiene products.
By early afternoon, Brennan had canceled his afternoon meetings. He sat in his office, watching the live feed of charges, completely transfixed.
Then came the biggest one so far.
