Chapter 7: The## Chapter 7: The Letter My Father Left Behind
I Letter My Father Left Behind
I read Detective Harris's message three times.
Vanessa read Detective Harris's message three times.
Vanessa was at the Hawthorne Grand.
She wanted to speak with me.
And she was at the Hawthorne Grand.
She wanted to speak with me.
And she was claiming that my father had been involved in another financial crime.
I looked at the letter in my hands.
*If anything happens to me, please make sure was claiming that my father had been involved in another financial crime.
I looked at the letter in my hands.
If anything happens to me, please make sure my daughter knows I never agreed to this.
My father had written those words seven years ago.
He had known someone was using his identity.
He had tried to warn Robert my daughter knows I never agreed to this.*
My father had written those words seven years ago.
He had known someone was using his identity.
He had tried to warn Robert Hayes.
And now, seven years later, the same people were trying to make me pay for it.
Daniel stood beside me.
"Emma, you're not going anywhere near Vanessa alone.""
"I wasn't planning to.""
"Good.""
Robert Hayes.
And now, seven years later, the same people were trying to make me pay for it.
Daniel stood beside me.
"Emma, you're not going anywhere near Vanessa alone.""
"I wasn't planning to.""
"Good.""
Robert slowly closed the folder.
"There's something else you should know.""
I turned toward him.
"What?""
He looked at the letter.
"Richard slowly closed the folder.
"There's something else you should know.""
I turned toward him.
"What?""
He looked at the letter.
"Richard didn't simply disappear after the investment collapsed. He came to see me several times. Each time, he brought new documents.""
"What kind of documents?""
didn't simply disappear after the investment collapsed. He came to see me several times. Each time, he brought new documents.""
"What kind of documents?""
"Transfers. Loan agreements. Company registrations. He claimed he was trying to straighten out the accounts.""
Daniel frowned.
"Why"Transfers. Loan agreements. Company registrations. He claimed he was trying to straighten out the accounts.""
Daniel frowned.
"Why would he keep coming back?""
"Because I kept asking for my money.""
Robert rubbed his forehead.
" would he keep coming back?""
"Because I kept asking for my money.""
Robert rubbed his forehead.
"Eventually, he told me the problem had been solved. He said the money had been transferred through a company owned by your father,Eventually, he told me the problem had been solved. He said the money had been transferred through a company owned by your father, Emma.""
"My father didn't own a company.""
"I know that now.""
I placed the letter on the table.
"Did you tell him?""
Emma.""
"My father didn't own a company.""
"I know that now.""
I placed the letter on the table.
"Did you tell him?""
"Yes. He insisted your father was involved in a private investment arrangement.""
"Did you believe"Yes. He insisted your father was involved in a private investment arrangement.""
"Did you believe him?""
Robert looked at me.
"At the time, I did.""
I swallowed.
"Then you were wrong.""
He nodded.
"Yes. I was.""
Daniel took a him?""
Robert looked at me.
"At the time, I did.""
I swallowed.
"Then you were wrong.""
He nodded.
"Yes. I was.""
Daniel took a breath.
"Dad, do you have anything connecting Richard to the forged signature?""
Robert opened the folder again.
" breath.
"Dad, do you have anything connecting Richard to the forged signature?""
Robert opened the folder again.
"One thing.""
He removed a small envelope.
Inside was a photocopy of a payment receipt.
The recipient was a document preparation service in Pennsylvania.
The paymentOne thing.""
He removed a small envelope.
Inside was a photocopy of a payment receipt.
The recipient was a document preparation service in Pennsylvania.
The payment had been made by Reed Development Group.
The description read:
*Estate authorization and signature verification.*
I stared at it.
"What's had been made by Reed Development Group.
The description read:
*Estate authorization and signature verification.*
I stared at it.
"What's this?""
"Richard said he needed to verify the documents before the transfer could be completed.""
I examined the date.
It this?""
"Richard said he needed to verify the documents before the transfer could be completed.""
I examined the date.
It was three weeks after my father's death.
"That's when someone forged his signature.""
Robert nodded.
"Possibly.""
Daniel photographed the receipt.
"We was three weeks after my father's death.
"That's when someone forged his signature.""
Robert nodded.
"Possibly.""
Daniel photographed the receipt.
"We need to give all of this to Harris.""
Robert looked at me.
"Emma, I am sorry.""
I didn't answer immediately.
I need to give all of this to Harris.""
Robert looked at me.
"Emma, I am sorry.""
I didn't answer immediately.
I wanted to tell him that everything was fine.
That he hadn't known.
That there was nothing to forgive.
But my father's letter wanted to tell him that everything was fine.
That he hadn't known.
That there was nothing to forgive.
But my father's letter was still sitting between us.
And I couldn't ignore what it represented.
"Your mistake allowed Richard was still sitting between us.
And I couldn't ignore what it represented.
"Your mistake allowed Richard to use my father's name," I said.
"And now his daughter is using the same lie to destroy my wedding.""
to use my father's name," I said.
"And now his daughter is using the same lie to destroy my wedding.""
Robert lowered his eyes.
"I understand.""
"I don't think you do.""
I picked up the letter.
"My father spent his entireRobert lowered his eyes.
"I understand.""
"I don't think you do.""
I picked up the letter.
"My father spent his entire life making sure I never had to question whether he was an honest man. He worked until his hands hurt. He paid his bills. life making sure I never had to question whether he was an honest man.
He worked until his hands hurt. He paid his bills. He kept every receipt in labelled folders.""
My voice trembled.
"And somewhere along the way, people decided his reputation He kept every receipt in labelled folders.""
My voice trembled.
"And somewhere along the way, people decided his reputation was worth less than their money.""
Daniel wrapped his arm around my shoulders.
"We'll make this right.""
I nodded.
But I wasn't sure how.
At 8 was worth less than their money.""
Daniel wrapped his arm around my shoulders.
"We'll make this right.""
I nodded.
But I wasn't sure how.
At 8:36 a.m., we returned to the hotel.
Detective Harris was waiting in the lobby.
He looked at the documents Robert had provided and immediately:36 a.m., we returned to the hotel.
Detective Harris was waiting in the lobby.
He looked at the documents Robert had provided and immediately asked us to accompany him to a private meeting room.
Two officers were already there.
One of them was speaking to the hotel security asked us to accompany him to a private meeting room.
Two officers were already there.
One of them was speaking to the hotel security manager.
"Ms. Collins," Harris said, "before we discuss the evidence, I want to make one thing clear. You are not under manager.
"Ms. Collins," Harris said, "before we discuss the evidence, I want to make one thing clear. You are not under arrest, and nothing we've reviewed establishes that you committed a crime.""
I nodded.
"Thank you.""
"We're investigating a suspected forged authorization and arrest, and nothing we've reviewed establishes that you committed a crime.""
I nodded.
"Thank you.""
"We're investigating a suspected forged authorization and possible financial deception. Your father's name appears in several documents, but the signatures and dates raise serious questions.""
I handed him the original letter.
He read it carefully.
Then he looked up.
"Your possible financial deception. Your father's name appears in several documents, but the signatures and dates raise serious questions.""
I handed him the original letter.
He read it carefully.
Then he looked up.
"Your father wrote this before his death?""
"Yes.""
"Can you identify the handwriting?""
"Absolutely father wrote this before his death?""
"Yes.""
"Can you identify the handwriting?""
"Absolutely.""
"Do you have other examples?""
"Letters, birthday cards, old paperwork. My cousin has some too.""
"That may help.""
He placed the letter inside a protective sleeve.
Then he examined the payment receipt.
"Who.""
"Do you have other examples?""
"Letters, birthday cards, old paperwork. My cousin has some too.""
"That may help.""
He placed the letter inside a protective sleeve.
Then he examined the payment receipt.
"Who is Richard Reed?""
"Vanessa's father," Daniel replied.
"Do you know where he is?""
"Not currently.""
Harris made a is Richard Reed?""
"Vanessa's father," Daniel replied.
"Do you know where he is?""
"Not currently.""
Harris made a note.
"That's something we'll look into.""
He turned toward me.
"Ms. Collins, Vanessa Reed has given a statement claiming you were aware of the disputed transfer note.
"That's something we'll look into.""
He turned toward me.
"Ms. Collins, Vanessa Reed has given a statement claiming you were aware of the disputed transfer.""
I felt my jaw tighten.
"She's lying.""
"She says you inherited money that was connected to the investment.""
"I inherited money from my father's.""
I felt my jaw tighten.
"She's lying.""
"She says you inherited money that was connected to the investment.""
"I inherited money from my father's savings. The account was legally closed after his death.""
"She claims the account was used to conceal funds.""
"Then she needs to savings. The account was legally closed after his death.""
"She claims the account was used to conceal funds.""
"Then she needs to explain why she forged my signature to obtain the records.""
Harris raised an eyebrow.
"How do you know she obtained them explain why she forged my signature to obtain the records.""
Harris raised an eyebrow.
"How do you know she obtained them?""
I showed him the bank's message.
He read it.
"That's important.""
Daniel leaned forward.
"Can we?""
I showed him the bank's message.
He read it.
"That's important.""
Daniel leaned forward.
"Can we see her statement?""
"Not in full at this stage. But I can tell you she has submitted a document claiming your see her statement?""
"Not in full at this stage. But I can tell you she has submitted a document claiming your fiancée received $48,000 from a company connected to her father's estate.""
I laughed bitterly.
"That's the transfer from my father's savings.""
"Yes fiancée received $48,000 from a company connected to her father's estate.""
I laughed bitterly.
"That's the transfer from my father's savings.""
"Yes.""
"But she knows it wasn't an inheritance from a company. It was his personal savings.""
Harris nodded.""
"But she knows it wasn't an inheritance from a company. It was his personal savings.""
Harris nodded.
"That distinction matters.""
He looked at the second officer.
"Please add the bank's authorization record to the evidence request.""
Then.
"That distinction matters.""
He looked at the second officer.
"Please add the bank's authorization record to the evidence request.""
Then he turned back to me.
"There's another reason Ms. Reed wants to speak with you.""
I waited.
"She says she has information about a he turned back to me.
"There's another reason Ms. Reed wants to speak with you.""
I waited.
"She says she has information about a separate agreement between your father and Richard Reed.""
"What agreement?""
"She claims your father signed a document promising to repay money if separate agreement between your father and Richard Reed.""
"What agreement?""
"She claims your father signed a document promising to repay money if the property investment failed.""
I shook my head.
"That's impossible.""
"Do you recognize this?""
He the property investment failed.""
I shook my head.
"That's impossible.""
"Do you recognize this?""
He slid a photograph across the table.
It showed a contract with my father's name at the bottom.
The signature looked convincing.
Almost perfect.
slid a photograph across the table.
It showed a contract with my father's name at the bottom.
The signature looked convincing.
Almost perfect.
But there was something wrong with the date.
It was six months after his death.
I pushed the photograph away.
"That's forged.""
Harris noddedBut there was something wrong with the date.
It was six months after his death.
I pushed the photograph away.
"That's forged.""
Harris nodded.
"We're aware of the date discrepancy.""
"Then why are you entertaining her story?""
"Because we need to establish where.
"We're aware of the date discrepancy.""
"Then why are you entertaining her story?""
"Because we need to establish where the document came from and who created it.""
Daniel leaned forward.
"Where is Vanessa now?""
"In a separate room with the document came from and who created it.""
Daniel leaned forward.
"Where is Vanessa now?""
"In a separate room with another officer.""
"Can we speak to her?""
Harris looked at him.
"Not yet.""
I stared at the photograph.
Then I noticed a another officer.""
"Can we speak to her?""
Harris looked at him.
"Not yet.""
I stared at the photograph.
Then I noticed a line at the bottom.
A witness.
Vanessa Reed.
Again.
She had signed as a witness on a document dated months after my father died.
I line at the bottom.
A witness.
Vanessa Reed.
Again.
She had signed as a witness on a document dated months after my father died.
I pointed at it.
"Look.""
Harris examined the page.
His expression changed.
"That's useful.""
I leaned forward.
"She's been pointed at it.
"Look.""
Harris examined the page.
His expression changed.
"That's useful.""
I leaned forward.
"She's been connected to every document.""
"Potentially, yes.""
"And she wants to tell you I'm the criminal connected to every document.""
"Potentially, yes.""
"And she wants to tell you I'm the criminal?""
Harris didn't answer.
He didn't need to.
My phone vibrated.
A message from Vanessa.
**I can explain everything if you meet me privately.?""
Harris didn't answer.
He didn't need to.
My phone vibrated.
A message from Vanessa.
*I can explain everything if you meet me privately.*
I showed Harris.
He photographed it.
Then another message appeared.
*You have no idea what your father promised my family.*
I stared at the screen.
**
I showed Harris.
He photographed it.
Then another message appeared.
*You have no idea what your father promised my family.*
I stared at the screen.
Then I typed one sentence.
*My father is dead. You can stop threatening him.*
I didn't sendThen I typed one sentence.
*My father is dead. You can stop threatening him.*
I didn't send it.
I deleted the draft.
Harris watched me.
"Good decision.""
He stood.
"We're going to speak with Ms it.
I deleted the draft.
Harris watched me.
"Good decision.""
He stood.
"We're going to speak with Ms. Reed now. But I want you to understand something.
If she approaches you, don't argue. Don't threaten her. Let us handle it.""
I nodded.
He. Reed now. But I want you to understand something.
If she approaches you, don't argue. Don't threaten her. Let us handle it.""
I nodded.
He walked toward the door.
Then stopped.
"One more thing, Ms. Collins.""
"Yes?""
"We received a call from the walked toward the door.
Then stopped.
"One more thing, Ms. Collins.""
"Yes?""
"We received a call from the bank this morning. They've identified the person who collected your father's archived statement.""
My heart began beating faster.
"Who?""
Harris looked at bank this morning. They've identified the person who collected your father's archived statement.""
My heart began beating faster.
"Who?""
Harris looked at Daniel.
Then back at me.
"The collection record names a woman called Jessica Reed.""
I frowned.
"Vanessa's sister Daniel.
Then back at me.
"The collection record names a woman called Jessica Reed.""
I frowned.
"Vanessa's sister?""
Harris nodded.
"She collected the document using a driver's licence and an authorization letter bearing your signature.""
I stared at?""
Harris nodded.
"She collected the document using a driver's licence and an authorization letter bearing your signature.""
I stared at him.
"Vanessa has a sister?""
Daniel looked equally confused.
"She never mentioned one.""
Harris opened him.
"Vanessa has a sister?""
Daniel looked equally confused.
"She never mentioned one.""
Harris opened his folder.
"Jessica Reed is twenty-nine. She worked at Northbridge Residential until last year.""
I felt the his folder.
"Jessica Reed is twenty-nine. She worked at Northbridge Residential until last year.""
I felt the room tilt.
Two sisters.
One company.
One forged signature.
And both had apparently been involved in obtaining my father's bank records.
Then Harris added:
"There's room tilt.
Two sisters.
One company.
One forged signature.
And both had apparently been involved in obtaining my father's bank records.
Then Harris added:
"There's something else. Jessica Reed is currently employed by your wedding venue.""
My mouth went dry.
"Doing what?""
He looked at the hotel something else. Jessica Reed is currently employed by your wedding venue.""
My mouth went dry.
"Doing what?""
He looked at the hotel security manager.
"She's the assistant event coordinator assigned to your ceremony.""
I slowly turned toward Daniel.
Vanessa hadn't just infiltr security manager.
"She's the assistant event coordinator assigned to your ceremony.""
I slowly turned toward Daniel.
Vanessa hadn't just infiltrated my wedding through friendship.
She had placed someone inside the venue.
And that person had access to everything.
Including the ceremony schedule.
Including the rings.
May you like
Including the microphone.
Including the moment I was supposed to walk down the aisle.
