Chapter 7: ## Chapter 7: The Night They Tried to Steal the Last Piece of: The Night They Tried to Steal the Last Piece of Laura
I had never driven home so Laura
I had never driven home so fast in my life.
When Brandon called, I was still sitting in Daniel's office. By the time he finished fast in my life.
When Brandon called, I was still sitting in Daniel's office. By the time he finished telling me Denise and Richard were searching Maya's bedroom, I telling me Denise and Richard were searching Maya's bedroom, I was already grabbing my car keys.
Daniel followed me outside.
"Marcus, wait. Don't go in there alone.""
"My daughter is in that house.""
"I understand. But if Richard is involved in financial fraud, we need to was already grabbing my car keys.
Daniel followed me outside.
"Marcus, wait. Don't go in there alone.""
"My daughter is in that house.""
"I understand. But if Richard is involved in financial fraud, we need to be careful.""
I stopped beside my car.
"Then call the police. I'm not be careful.""
I stopped beside my car.
"Then call the police. I'm not waiting for permission to protect my child.""
Daniel pulled out his phone.
"I'll meet you there.""
The drive took twenty-three minutes.
It felt like two hours.
My phone kept lighting waiting for permission to protect my child.""
Daniel pulled out his phone.
"I'll meet you there.""
The drive took twenty-three minutes.
It felt like two hours.
My phone kept lighting up with messages from Brandon.
*They're upstairs.*
*Mom is opening drawers.*
*Richard keeps asking about a blue folder.*
Then another up with messages from Brandon.
*They're upstairs.*
*Mom is opening drawers.*
*Richard keeps asking about a blue folder.*
Then another message arrived.
*Maya isn't home. I took her to Tasha's friend's house. She's safe.*
I nearly cried with relief.
At message arrived.
*Maya isn't home. I took her to Tasha's friend's house. She's safe.*
I nearly cried with relief.
At least Brandon had done one thing right.
When I turned onto our street, I saw a black SUV parked in the driveway.
Richard's vehicle least Brandon had done one thing right.
When I turned onto our street, I saw a black SUV parked in the driveway.
Richard's vehicle.
The front door was open.
I left my car halfway up the driveway and rushed inside.
"Denise!""
My voice echoed through the hallway.
The front door was open.
I left my car halfway up the driveway and rushed inside.
"Denise!""
My voice echoed through the hallway.
No answer.
I heard drawers opening upstairs.
Then a man's voice.
"Check underneath.
No answer.
I heard drawers opening upstairs.
Then a man's voice.
"Check underneath the mattress.""
I took the stairs two at a time.
Maya's bedroom door was wide open.
Denise stood beside the dresser, holding a stack of papers.
Richard was the mattress.""
I took the stairs two at a time.
Maya's bedroom door was wide open.
Denise stood beside the dresser, holding a stack of papers.
Richard was kneeling beside the bed.
Brandon stood in the corner, his face pale.
"What the hell are you doing?""
Denise spun around.
kneeling beside the bed.
Brandon stood in the corner, his face pale.
"What the hell are you doing?""
Denise spun around.
"Marcus!""
I stepped into the doorway.
"Put those papers down.""
She clutched them tighter.
"We"Marcus!""
I stepped into the doorway.
"Put those papers down.""
She clutched them tighter.
"We're looking for something that belongs to me.""
"Nothing in my daughter's bedroom belongs to you.""
Richard stood.
"Mr. Carter,'re looking for something that belongs to me.""
"Nothing in my daughter's bedroom belongs to you.""
Richard stood.
"Mr. Carter, this is a misunderstanding.""
I looked at him.
"You're the attorney who's been helping my wife forge documents?""
His this is a misunderstanding.""
I looked at him.
"You're the attorney who's been helping my wife forge documents?""
His expression changed.
"I'd be careful about making accusations.""
"Then explain why you're searching my daughter's bedroom with a key.""
Richard adjusted his jacket.
"Mrs. Carter requested my assistance in retrieving certain family documents.""
"From a expression changed.
"I'd be careful about making accusations.""
"Then explain why you're searching my daughter's bedroom with a key.""
Richard adjusted his jacket.
"Mrs. Carter requested my assistance in retrieving certain family documents.""
"From a seventeen-year-old girl's bedroom?""
"Documents relating to an estate matter.""
I stepped toward him.
"Get out.""
Denise moved between us.
" seventeen-year-old girl's bedroom?""
"Documents relating to an estate matter.""
I stepped toward him.
"Get out.""
Denise moved between us.
"Marcus, stop acting crazy!""
I looked at her.
"You came into my house with aMarcus, stop acting crazy!""
I looked at her.
"You came into my house with a man who has been helping you move my daughter's inheritance.""
"It's my house too!""
"Then explain why you're sneaking into her bedroom while she's away.""
Richard picked up a leather man who has been helping you move my daughter's inheritance.""
"It's my house too!""
"Then explain why you're sneaking into her bedroom while she's away.""
Richard picked up a leather folder.
"Mrs. Carter, we should leave.""
Denise shook her head.
"Not without the blue folder.""
I froze.
"What blue folder?""
She looked at Richard.
He closed his eyes briefly.
That was enough.
I folder.
"Mrs. Carter, we should leave.""
Denise shook her head.
"Not without the blue folder.""
I froze.
"What blue folder?""
She looked at Richard.
He closed his eyes briefly.
That was enough.
I turned toward Brandon.
"What are they looking for?""
He swallowed.
"I don't know. They said there was an original document.""
I looked turned toward Brandon.
"What are they looking for?""
He swallowed.
"I don't know. They said there was an original document.""
I looked at Denise.
"Original document of what?""
She said nothing.
Then Richard made a mistake.
He walked toward the dresser and opened at Denise.
"Original document of what?""
She said nothing.
Then Richard made a mistake.
He walked toward the dresser and opened the bottom drawer.
I moved between him and the furniture.
"Don't touch anything.""
He raised both hands.
"Fine the bottom drawer.
I moved between him and the furniture.
"Don't touch anything.""
He raised both hands.
"Fine.""
Denise threw the papers onto the bed.
"You don't understand what you're doing, Marcus.""
"Then explain it.""
"You think Laura was some perfect.""
Denise threw the papers onto the bed.
"You don't understand what you're doing, Marcus.""
"Then explain it.""
"You think Laura was some perfect woman who planned everything correctly? She left behind complicated financial arrangements. Someone had to manage them.""
"That someone wasn't you.""
"You're woman who planned everything correctly? She left behind complicated financial arrangements. Someone had to manage them.""
"That someone wasn't you.""
"You're being unreasonable!""
I pointed toward the hallway.
"Leave.""
Richard looked at Denise.
She shook her head.
"Tell being unreasonable!""
I pointed toward the hallway.
"Leave.""
Richard looked at Denise.
She shook her head.
"Tell him," she said.
Richard stared at her.
"Not here.""
"Tell him what we discussed!""
" him," she said.
Richard stared at her.
"Not here.""
"Tell him what we discussed!""
"Denise, stop.""
But she was already losing control.
"You want to know why I needed the documents? Fine. The trust is worthDenise, stop.""
But she was already losing control.
"You want to know why I needed the documents? Fine. The trust is worth more than you think. The property isn't the only asset.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"What other asset?""
Denise looked at me.
For more than you think. The property isn't the only asset.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"What other asset?""
Denise looked at me.
For the first time, I saw something beyond anger in her expression.
Fear.
"Laura left another account.""
"What account?""
"An investment the first time, I saw something beyond anger in her expression.
Fear.
"Laura left another account.""
"What account?""
"An investment portfolio.""
I stared at her.
"How much?""
She looked away.
Richard stepped forward.
"That's enough.""
I turned toward him.
"How much is it portfolio.""
I stared at her.
"How much?""
She looked away.
Richard stepped forward.
"That's enough.""
I turned toward him.
"How much is it worth?""
Denise's lips trembled.
"Over three hundred thousand dollars.""
The room seemed to tilt.
Three hundred thousand.
Another inheritance I'd worth?""
Denise's lips trembled.
"Over three hundred thousand dollars.""
The room seemed to tilt.
Three hundred thousand.
Another inheritance I'd known nothing about.
Another financial asset Denise had been trying to reach.
I looked at the papers on the bed.
"Did you take money from that account too?""
"No.""
"Did you try?""
She known nothing about.
Another financial asset Denise had been trying to reach.
I looked at the papers on the bed.
"Did you take money from that account too?""
"No.""
"Did you try?""
She didn't answer.
I looked at Richard.
"Did you?""
He picked up his briefcase.
"I have no obligation to discuss my client's affairs with you.""
"Then didn't answer.
I looked at Richard.
"Did you?""
He picked up his briefcase.
"I have no obligation to discuss my client's affairs with you.""
"Then you have no reason to be in this room.""
He walked toward the door.
I stepped aside.
But before he passed, I noticed something sticking out of you have no reason to be in this room.""
He walked toward the door.
I stepped aside.
But before he passed, I noticed something sticking out of his briefcase.
A blue folder.
The same shade as the one Laura had used for her financial papers.
"Stop.""
Richard his briefcase.
A blue folder.
The same shade as the one Laura had used for her financial papers.
"Stop.""
Richard froze.
I pointed.
"What's in that folder?""
"Private documents.""
"Open it.""
"No.""
"Then put it down.""
Denise suddenly stepped between us.
"Marcus, don't touch froze.
I pointed.
"What's in that folder?""
"Private documents.""
"Open it.""
"No.""
"Then put it down.""
Denise suddenly stepped between us.
"Marcus, don't touch his things!""
I looked at her.
"Why are you so desperate to protect that folder?""
She didn't answer.
Richard turned toward the stairs.
Then Brandon his things!""
I looked at her.
"Why are you so desperate to protect that folder?""
She didn't answer.
Richard turned toward the stairs.
Then Brandon spoke.
"That's not the original.""
Everyone looked at him.
Brandon took a shaky breath.
"I spoke.
"That's not the original.""
Everyone looked at him.
Brandon took a shaky breath.
"I found the real folder yesterday.""
Denise went pale.
"What?""
Brandon looked at me.
"I hid it.""
"Where?""
He hesitated.
"Under the found the real folder yesterday.""
Denise went pale.
"What?""
Brandon looked at me.
"I hid it.""
"Where?""
He hesitated.
"Under the loose floorboard in the upstairs hallway.""
Denise lunged toward him.
"Brandon!""
He stepped loose floorboard in the upstairs hallway.""
Denise lunged toward him.
"Brandon!""
He stepped backward.
"Mom, stop!""
Richard dropped his briefcase.
The folder slipped out.
Several documents scattered backward.
"Mom, stop!""
Richard dropped his briefcase.
The folder slipped out.
Several documents scattered across the carpet.
One page landed faceup.
I picked it up.
It was a copy of a property across the carpet.
One page landed faceup.
I picked it up.
It was a copy of a property transfer authorization.
At the bottom was my name.
Again.
But this time, there was something else.
A notarization stamp.
Dated three months earlier.
The notary's name was unfamiliar.
I photographed the page.
Richard transfer authorization.
At the bottom was my name.
Again.
But this time, there was something else.
A notarization stamp.
Dated three months earlier.
The notary's name was unfamiliar.
I photographed the page.
Richard snatched it from my hand.
"That's privileged material.""
"Then explain why it contains my forged signature.""
He said nothing.
I heard footsteps downstairs.
Daniel had arrived.
He entered snatched it from my hand.
"That's privileged material.""
"Then explain why it contains my forged signature.""
He said nothing.
I heard footsteps downstairs.
Daniel had arrived.
He entered the bedroom a moment later, followed by two uniformed officers.
Denise immediately began talking.
"Officer, thank goodness. My husband is threatening me. He's preventing the bedroom a moment later, followed by two uniformed officers.
Denise immediately began talking.
"Officer, thank goodness. My husband is threatening me. He's preventing me from retrieving my personal belongings.""
Daniel stepped forward.
"Officers, my client has reason to believe financial fraud and unauthorized document handling me from retrieving my personal belongings.""
Daniel stepped forward.
"Officers, my client has reason to believe financial fraud and unauthorized document handling are taking place. We have preserved evidence and can provide the relevant records.""
One officer looked at Richard.
"Sir, do are taking place. We have preserved evidence and can provide the relevant records.""
One officer looked at Richard.
"Sir, do you have identification?""
Richard reached into his jacket.
The second officer looked at the scattered documents.
"What's going on here?""
Richard handed over his identification.
you have identification?""
Richard reached into his jacket.
The second officer looked at the scattered documents.
"What's going on here?""
Richard handed over his identification.
Denise began crying.
"This is ridiculous. We're married. I have every right to be here.""
The officer remained calm.
"Ma'am, nobody is asking you to explainDenise began crying.
"This is ridiculous. We're married. I have every right to be here.""
The officer remained calm.
"Ma'am, nobody is asking you to explain your marriage. We're asking why you and this gentleman were searching through a minor's bedroom.""
Richard your marriage. We're asking why you and this gentleman were searching through a minor's bedroom.""
Richard immediately answered.
"We were retrieving documents with her mother's name on immediately answered.
"We were retrieving documents with her mother's name on them.""
"Do you have written authorization?""
He hesitated.
Daniel stepped forward.
"That is precisely what we're investigating.""
The officers separated everyone.
No one was arrested that evening.
But Richard was instructed not to remove anything from the property, and the officers documented the scene.
Denise sat on Maya's them.""
"Do you have written authorization?""
He hesitated.
Daniel stepped forward.
"That is precisely what we're investigating.""
The officers separated everyone.
No one was arrested that evening.
But Richard was instructed not to remove anything from the property, and the officers documented the scene.
Denise sat on Maya's bed, crying into her hands.
I stood near the doorway.
"Where is the money, Denise?""
She looked up.
"I didn't spend all of it.""
"Where is it?""
"Richard bed, crying into her hands.
I stood near the doorway.
"Where is the money, Denise?""
She looked up.
"I didn't spend all of it.""
"Where is it?""
"Richard was supposed to put it back.""
Daniel turned sharply.
"Put what back?""
Denise looked at him.
was supposed to put it back.""
Daniel turned sharply.
"Put what back?""
Denise looked at him.
Then at me.
"The money from the investment account.""
My heart began pounding.
"You accessed Laura's investment account too?""
She started crying harderThen at me.
"The money from the investment account.""
My heart began pounding.
"You accessed Laura's investment account too?""
She started crying harder.
"I only moved a portion.""
"How much?""
"Marcus, please.""
"HOW MUCH?""
She covered her face.
"One.
"I only moved a portion.""
"How much?""
"Marcus, please.""
"HOW MUCH?""
She covered her face.
"One hundred and twenty thousand.""
I gripped the doorframe.
One hundred and twenty thousand dollars.
Maya's future.
Laura's final gift.
Gone.
Or hundred and twenty thousand.""
I gripped the doorframe.
One hundred and twenty thousand dollars.
Maya's future.
Laura's final gift.
Gone.
Or at least moved somewhere Denise didn't want us to find.
I looked at Richard.
"Where did the money go?""
He remained silent.
Daniel approached him.
"Mr. Hale at least moved somewhere Denise didn't want us to find.
I looked at Richard.
"Where did the money go?""
He remained silent.
Daniel approached him.
"Mr. Hale, I strongly suggest you stop speaking about your client's financial affairs without independent legal advice.""
, I strongly suggest you stop speaking about your client's financial affairs without independent legal advice.""
Richard picked up his briefcase.
Then he looked at Denise.
"We're finished.""
Denise stood.
"What?""
"I'm not taking responsibilityRichard picked up his briefcase.
Then he looked at Denise.
"We're finished.""
Denise stood.
"What?""
"I'm not taking responsibility for this.""
Her face twisted.
"You told me everything was legal!""
Richard ignored her for this.""
Her face twisted.
"You told me everything was legal!""
Richard ignored her.
He walked past the officers and left.
Denise watched him disappear down the stairs.
Then she turned toward me.
"Marcus, you have.
He walked past the officers and left.
Denise watched him disappear down the stairs.
Then she turned toward me.
"Marcus, you have to help me.""
I stared at her.
"Help you?""
"He promised everything would be protected.""
"Who?""
"Richard.""
"Where is the money?""
She began shaking to help me.""
I stared at her.
"Help you?""
"He promised everything would be protected.""
"Who?""
"Richard.""
"Where is the money?""
She began shaking.
"I don't know.""
I looked at Daniel.
He was photographing the documents.
Then Brandon approached me.
"Mr..
"I don't know.""
I looked at Daniel.
He was photographing the documents.
Then Brandon approached me.
"Mr. Carter?""
I turned.
He was holding a small brass key.
"I found this in Mom's handbag.""
I looked at it.
"What's it for?""
Br Carter?""
I turned.
He was holding a small brass key.
"I found this in Mom's handbag.""
I looked at it.
"What's it for?""
Brandon swallowed.
"She told Richard it opened the safety deposit box.""
Daniel immediately took the key.
"Which bankandon swallowed.
"She told Richard it opened the safety deposit box.""
Daniel immediately took the key.
"Which bank?""
Brandon shook his head.
"I don't know. But I heard Mom say something about the original beneficiary certificate.""
My heart stopped.
Because I remembered Laura's letter.
She had mentioned a?""
Brandon shook his head.
"I don't know. But I heard Mom say something about the original beneficiary certificate.""
My heart stopped.
Because I remembered Laura's letter.
She had mentioned a sealed envelope.
A separate attorney.
A recording.
And an original document that would protect Maya's inheritance.
I looked at the key.
Then at the woman sitting on my daughter's bed.
" sealed envelope.
A separate attorney.
A recording.
And an original document that would protect Maya's inheritance.
I looked at the key.
Then at the woman sitting on my daughter's bed.
"Denise," I said quietly.
"What is inside that safety deposit box?""
She began crying again.
But this time, she didn't deny knowingDenise," I said quietly.
"What is inside that safety deposit box?""
She began crying again.
But this time, she didn't deny knowing.
She whispered:
"The original document that proves Maya isn't the only person entitled to the estate.""
And just.
She whispered:
"The original document that proves Maya isn't the only person entitled to the estate.""
May you like
And just like that, everything I thought I understood about Laura's inheritance changed.
like that, everything I thought I understood about Laura's inheritance changed.
