Chapter 8: The Attorney's Missing Signature
Nobody moved.
Daniel stood beside the conference room entrance, hisNobody moved.
Daniel stood beside the conference room entrance, his leather briefcase hanging from one hand. My mother was pressed against the wall, her face leather briefcase hanging from one hand. My mother was pressed against the wall, her face wet with tears. Marcus had gone so pale that the dark stubble along his jaw stood out sharply.
I looked at Daniel.
"What did you take from my father?""
He wet with tears. Marcus had gone so pale that the dark stubble along his jaw stood out sharply.
I looked at Daniel.
"What did you take from my father?""
He set down his briefcase.
"Nia, your mother is frightened. She's repeating something she doesn't understand.""
"Then explain it.""
"I visited Thomas in the hospital before he died. I was his attorney. Of course I visited him set down his briefcase.
"Nia, your mother is frightened. She's repeating something she doesn't understand.""
"Then explain it.""
"I visited Thomas in the hospital before he died. I was his attorney. Of course I visited him.""
"Did you take something?""
His silence lasted only a second.
But I'd learned how much a second could reveal.
Daniel pulled out a chair and sat down.
"Your father gave me a sealed envelope containing documents related to the property dispute. He asked me to keep them somewhere secure.""
"Did you?""
".""
"Did you take something?""
His silence lasted only a second.
But I'd learned how much a second could reveal.
Daniel pulled out a chair and sat down.
"Your father gave me a sealed envelope containing documents related to the property dispute. He asked me to keep them somewhere secure.""
"Did you?""
"Yes.""
"Where are they?""
"In my office.""
"Then why is a man who's been hiding for eleven years telling me you took something from my father?""
Daniel removed his glasses and cleaned them with a handkerchief.
"Because Whitmore has spent years trying to implicate everyone connected to the case. HeYes.""
"Where are they?""
"In my office.""
"Then why is a man who's been hiding for eleven years telling me you took something from my father?""
Daniel removed his glasses and cleaned them with a handkerchief.
"Because Whitmore has spent years trying to implicate everyone connected to the case. He believes that if enough people look guilty, nobody will know whom to trust.""
Marcus laughed bitterly.
"That's rich coming from you.""
Daniel turned toward him.
"You have no right to lecture anyone about honesty.""
"At least I haven't pretended to be an innocent by believes that if enough people look guilty, nobody will know whom to trust.""
Marcus laughed bitterly.
"That's rich coming from you.""
Daniel turned toward him.
"You have no right to lecture anyone about honesty.""
"At least I haven't pretended to be an innocent bystander.""
"You used a false identity to approach Nia.""
"And you helped bury the truth about her father!""
"Enough!"" I shouted.
Both men stopped.
I looked from one to the other.
"Neither of you gets to turn this into an argument about whostander.""
"You used a false identity to approach Nia.""
"And you helped bury the truth about her father!""
"Enough!"" I shouted.
Both men stopped.
I looked from one to the other.
"Neither of you gets to turn this into an argument about who is worse. I want answers, and I want them backed by evidence.""
Daniel nodded slowly.
"That's reasonable.""
"Then tell me exactly what happened during your last visit to my father.""
He drew a breath.
"Thomas had discovered that is worse. I want answers, and I want them backed by evidence.""
Daniel nodded slowly.
"That's reasonable.""
"Then tell me exactly what happened during your last visit to my father.""
He drew a breath.
"Thomas had discovered that the company attempting to acquire his property had made payments to several individuals connected to the transaction. He believed the payments were intended to influence the valuation and transfer process. He asked me to preserve the records and prepare a formal complaint the company attempting to acquire his property had made payments to several individuals connected to the transaction.
He believed the payments were intended to influence the valuation and transfer process. He asked me to preserve the records and prepare a formal complaint.""
"Did he mention Vanessa?""
"Not by name.""
"Did he mention Michael Reed?""
"Yes.""
Marcus leaned forward.
"What did he tell you about him?""
Daniel looked at Marcus.
"He said Reed had approached him privately and offered to make the dispute disappear if Thomas agreed to transfer the building.""
"And your.""
"Did he mention Vanessa?""
"Not by name.""
"Did he mention Michael Reed?""
"Yes.""
Marcus leaned forward.
"What did he tell you about him?""
Daniel looked at Marcus.
"He said Reed had approached him privately and offered to make the dispute disappear if Thomas agreed to transfer the building.""
"And your father refused," I said.
"Yes.""
"What happened next?""
"Thomas became increasingly concerned about his safety. He asked me to make copies of the records and arrange for them to be delivered to an investigator outside the company. Before I could complete the arrangement, he died.""
I swallowed.
"And the documents?""
"I placed them in a father refused," I said.
"Yes.""
"What happened next?""
"Thomas became increasingly concerned about his safety. He asked me to make copies of the records and arrange for them to be delivered to an investigator outside the company. Before I could complete the arrangement, he died.""
I swallowed.
"And the documents?""
"I placed them in a secure archive.""
"Why didn't you give them to the police?""
"Because the original complaint was never filed. Thomas wanted to verify the information before making accusations that could expose innocent people to serious consequences.""
Marcus shook his head.
"You're leaving out the part where you changed the ownership records.""
Daniel's expression hardened.
"What are you talking secure archive.""
"Why didn't you give them to the police?""
"Because the original complaint was never filed. Thomas wanted to verify the information before making accusations that could expose innocent people to serious consequences.""
Marcus shook his head.
"You're leaving out the part where you changed the ownership records.""
Daniel's expression hardened.
"What are you talking about?""
"The property trust. The records were altered after Thomas died. You were the attorney responsible for maintaining them.""
"I did not alter the trust.""
"Then why does the original deed list a different beneficiary?""
Daniel went completely still.
My heart hammered.
"What beneficiary?""
Marcus looked at me.
"Your about?""
"The property trust. The records were altered after Thomas died. You were the attorney responsible for maintaining them.""
"I did not alter the trust.""
"Then why does the original deed list a different beneficiary?""
Daniel went completely still.
My heart hammered.
"What beneficiary?""
Marcus looked at me.
"Your father didn't leave the building directly to you.""
Mom covered her mouth.
Daniel stood.
"That is a misleading interpretation of the original trust.""
"Then explain it," I said.
Daniel stared at the table for several seconds before opening his briefcase.
He removed a document sleeve and placed a deed inside father didn't leave the building directly to you.""
Mom covered her mouth.
Daniel stood.
"That is a misleading interpretation of the original trust.""
"Then explain it," I said.
Daniel stared at the table for several seconds before opening his briefcase.
He removed a document sleeve and placed a deed inside it.
"This is a copy of the original property instrument. Your father placed the building in a trust that would eventually benefit you, but the trust was established through a holding company. The arrangement was designed to protect the property from the ongoing dispute it.
"This is a copy of the original property instrument. Your father placed the building in a trust that would eventually benefit you, but the trust was established through a holding company. The arrangement was designed to protect the property from the ongoing dispute.""
I examined the page.
There were several names, dates, and legal references. I couldn't make sense of all of it.
Then I saw the signature.
*Daniel Brooks, Witness.*
Beneath it was another signature, partially obscured by a stamp.
**E.""
I examined the page.
There were several names, dates, and legal references. I couldn't make sense of all of it.
Then I saw the signature.
*Daniel Brooks, Witness.*
Beneath it was another signature, partially obscured by a stamp.
*Evelyn Harper.*
I turned toward my mother.
"You signed this?""
She leaned closer.
Then she shook her head.
"No.""
Daniel took the document from me.
"That signature was part of avelyn Harper.**
I turned toward my mother.
"You signed this?""
She leaned closer.
Then she shook her head.
"No.""
Daniel took the document from me.
"That signature was part of a later filing.""
Mom stepped toward him.
"I never signed anything transferring Thomas's property. Not after he died. Not before.""
Daniel's face tightened.
"Then someone used your name without authorization.""
"Someone with later filing.""
Mom stepped toward him.
"I never signed anything transferring Thomas's property. Not after he died. Not before.""
Daniel's face tightened.
"Then someone used your name without authorization.""
"Someone with access to the original documents," Marcus said.
He looked directly at Daniel.
"And someone who knew exactly how the trust was structured.""
I felt sick.
"Did you know about the forged signature, Daniel?""
"No.""
"Can access to the original documents," Marcus said.
He looked directly at Daniel.
"And someone who knew exactly how the trust was structured.""
I felt sick.
"Did you know about the forged signature, Daniel?""
"No.""
"Can you prove that?""
His expression faltered.
"I can provide the records in my possession.""
"That's not what I asked.""
For the first time, Daniel looked genuinely wounded.
"I served your father for twenty years. I helped him build his business, protect his family, and prepare for the possibility that he might not recover from his illness. I have never knowingly participated in a scheme to you prove that?""
His expression faltered.
"I can provide the records in my possession.""
"That's not what I asked.""
For the first time, Daniel looked genuinely wounded.
"I served your father for twenty years. I helped him build his business, protect his family, and prepare for the possibility that he might not recover from his illness. I have never knowingly participated in a scheme to steal from you.""
"Then help me prove it.""
He nodded.
"I will.""
My phone vibrated.
An unknown number.
**The person who changed the trust records was not the person who forged the medication chart. steal from you.""
"Then help me prove it.""
He nodded.
"I will.""
My phone vibrated.
An unknown number.
*The person who changed the trust records was not the person who forged the medication chart. Two separate crimes. Two separate motives. Do not let them convince you that one explanation accounts for everything.*
I showed the message to Daniel.
He read it twice.
"That Two separate crimes. Two separate motives. Do not let them convince you that one explanation accounts for everything.**
I showed the message to Daniel.
He read it twice.
"That distinction is important," he said.
"Someone may be trying to make us believe the property dispute and Thomas's death were part of the same plan. We need to establish whether they were actually connected.""
Marcus looked at him.
"Or someone wants us chasing two suspects while the real culprit walks away.""
"Do you know who the real culprit is?"" I asked.
Marcus lowered distinction is important," he said.
"Someone may be trying to make us believe the property dispute and Thomas's death were part of the same plan. We need to establish whether they were actually connected.""
Marcus looked at him.
"Or someone wants us chasing two suspects while the real culprit walks away.""
"Do you know who the real culprit is?"" I asked.
Marcus lowered his eyes.
"No.""
"Then stop pretending you have the answers.""
He flinched.
I turned to Daniel.
"Where is your office?""
"Downtown.""
"Take us there.""
He hesitated.
his eyes.
"No.""
"Then stop pretending you have the answers.""
He flinched.
I turned to Daniel.
"Where is your office?""
"Downtown.""
"Take us there.""
He hesitated.
"Why?""
"Because you said the documents are in your archive. I want to see the records you kept and have another attorney review them.""
"That can be arranged tomorrow.""
"Why?""
"Because you said the documents are in your archive. I want to see the records you kept and have another attorney review them.""
"That can be arranged tomorrow.""
"No. We have already lost eleven years to delays, missing files, and people deciding what I was allowed to know. I'll wait for a lawyer"No.
We have already lost eleven years to delays, missing files, and people deciding what I was allowed to know. I'll wait for a lawyer to advise me on what I can access, but I will not accept another vague promise.""
Daniel studied me for a long moment.
Then he nodded.
"I'll arrange for an independent attorney to meet us there.""
Marcus rose.
"I'm coming.""
"No," I said.
"Nia—"
"You have no right to involve yourself in this investigation.""
"I have information you need to advise me on what I can access, but I will not accept another vague promise.""
Daniel studied me for a long moment.
Then he nodded.
"I'll arrange for an independent attorney to meet us there.""
Marcus rose.
"I'm coming.""
"No," I said.
"Nia—"
"You have no right to involve yourself in this investigation.""
"I have information you need.""
"Then give it to the lawyer. You don't get private access to me anymore.""
His expression turned desperate.
"Please. Just give me one chance to explain why I approached you.""
I stared at him.
"Was.""
"Then give it to the lawyer. You don't get private access to me anymore.""
His expression turned desperate.
"Please. Just give me one chance to explain why I approached you.""
I stared at him.
"Was it because you loved me?""
He looked down.
"At first, I was looking for the trust.""
The words seemed to empty the room of air.
My mother made a small sound.
I forced myself to remain still.
"At first?""
Marcus's eyes filled with tears.
"I found out who you were before we met. I it because you loved me?""
He looked down.
"At first, I was looking for the trust.""
The words seemed to empty the room of air.
My mother made a small sound.
I forced myself to remain still.
"At first?""
Marcus's eyes filled with tears.
"I found out who you were before we met. I knew your father had established the trust. I thought if I could build a relationship with you, I might finally understand where the original records were hidden.""
"And then?""
"Then I fell in love with you.""
I wanted to believe him.
That was the cruelest part.
Some memories still felt real. The night knew your father had established the trust. I thought if I could build a relationship with you, I might finally understand where the original records were hidden.""
"And then?""
"Then I fell in love with you.""
I wanted to believe him.
That was the cruelest part.
Some memories still felt real. The night he'd held me after I found an old photograph of my father. The weekend we'd spent driving along the coast. The way he'd kissed my forehead when he thought I was asleep.
But every tender moment now had a shadow behind it.
"Did you ever intend to tell me the truth?""
He wiped his face.
"Yes.""
"When?""
He couldn't answer.
"After he'd held me after I found an old photograph of my father. The weekend we'd spent driving along the coast. The way he'd kissed my forehead when he thought I was asleep.
But every tender moment now had a shadow behind it.
"Did you ever intend to tell me the truth?""
He wiped his face.
"Yes.""
"When?""
He couldn't answer.
"After the wedding? After you gained control of my inheritance? After I signed every document you placed in front of me?""
"Nia, I was trying to find a way out.""
"Of what?""
"Of the people who got me involved in this.""
I stared at him.
"Who?""
He looked toward the wedding? After you gained control of my inheritance? After I signed every document you placed in front of me?""
"Nia, I was trying to find a way out.""
"Of what?""
"Of the people who got me involved in this.""
I stared at him.
"Who?""
He looked toward the door.
Then he whispered, "Vanessa wasn't working alone.""
Before I could ask another question, a crash came from the hallway.
A security guard shouted.
Daniel rushed to the door and opened it.
At the far end of the corridor, a woman in a dark coat was running toward the emergency exit.
Vanessa.
In her hand was a thick leather the door.
Then he whispered, "Vanessa wasn't working alone.""
Before I could ask another question, a crash came from the hallway.
A security guard shouted.
Daniel rushed to the door and opened it.
At the far end of the corridor, a woman in a dark coat was running toward the emergency exit.
Vanessa.
In her hand was a thick leather folder.
My father's missing records.
"Stop!"" Marcus shouted.
Vanessa glanced over her shoulder.
Then she disappeared through the exit.
Marcus started after her, but Daniel caught his arm.
"Don't. Let security handle it.""
"She's carrying the evidence!""
"Then we folder.
My father's missing records.
"Stop!"" Marcus shouted.
Vanessa glanced over her shoulder.
Then she disappeared through the exit.
Marcus started after her, but Daniel caught his arm.
"Don't. Let security handle it.""
"She's carrying the evidence!""
"Then we need to preserve the chain of custody, not turn this into a chase through a hotel.""
Marcus struggled against him.
I watched the emergency door swing shut.
Then I looked at my phone.
A new message had appeared.
**Vanessa is heading to the old railway station. If you want the truth about your father, be there at need to preserve the chain of custody, not turn this into a chase through a hotel.""
Marcus struggled against him.
I watched the emergency door swing shut.
Then I looked at my phone.
A new message had appeared.
*Vanessa is heading to the old railway station. If you want the truth about your father, be there at ten.*
I showed it to Daniel.
He shook his head immediately.
"We're not going anywhere without notifying the authorities.""
Marcus stared at the message.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then he looked at me.
"If Vanessa gets to Whitmore first, he'll never tell you what really happened.""
"Why ten.**
I showed it to Daniel.
He shook his head immediately.
"We're not going anywhere without notifying the authorities.""
Marcus stared at the message.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then he looked at me.
"If Vanessa gets to Whitmore first, he'll never tell you what really happened.""
"Why?""
May you like
Marcus's voice dropped.
"Because the last time they met, one of them tried to kill the other.""
