Chapter 7: ## Chapter 7: The Signature of a Dead Woman
My father stared: The Signature of a Dead Woman
My father stared at the photograph on his phone.
The document showed my mother's name at the photograph on his phone.
The document showed my mother's name at the bottom, followed by his.
But there at the bottom, followed by his.
But there was something impossible about it.
The date.
Three days after Mom died.
I remembered that day clearly. My was something impossible about it.
The date.
Three days after Mom died.
I remembered that day clearly. My father had barely left the hospital. He'd sat beside me on the couch, still wearing the same gray sweater he'd worn when father had barely left the hospital. He'd sat beside me on the couch, still wearing the same gray sweater he'd worn when the doctors told us there was nothing more they could do.
He hadn't signed anything.
He could barely hold a cup of coffee.
“Dad,” the doctors told us there was nothing more they could do.
He hadn't signed anything.
He could barely hold a cup of coffee.
“Dad,” I whispered, “did you sign that?””
He shook his head.
“No.””
“Are you sure?””
He looked at me.
“Sweetheart, I would I whispered, “did you sign that?””
He shook his head.
“No.””
“Are you sure?””
He looked at me.
“Sweetheart, I would remember signing a document involving your mother's estate.””
He enlarged the photograph.
The document was titled *Amendment to Family remember signing a document involving your mother's estate.””
He enlarged the photograph.
The document was titled Amendment to Family Trust.
Beneath the title was a paragraph stating that certain assets could be transferred to a designated third party Trust.*
Beneath the title was a paragraph stating that certain assets could be transferred to a designated third party.
The designated third party was Raymond Cole.
The same man in the photograph Evelyn had shown us.
The designated third party was Raymond Cole.
The same man in the photograph Evelyn had shown us.
My father slowly lowered the phone.
“Someone forged our signatures.””
I looked at the document.
My father slowly lowered the phone.
“Someone forged our signatures.””
I looked at the document again.
“Can they do that?””
“Not legally.””
“But what if they already did?””
He didn't answer.
again.
“Can they do that?””
“Not legally.””
“But what if they already did?””
He didn't answer.
Instead, he called Evelyn.
She answered after two rings.
“Marcus?””
“We have a problem.””
He explained the message andInstead, he called Evelyn.
She answered after two rings.
“Marcus?””
“We have a problem.””
He explained the message and sent her the photograph.
There was a long silence.
Then Evelyn spoke.
“Do not respond to that number. Don't delete sent her the photograph.
There was a long silence.
Then Evelyn spoke.
“Do not respond to that number. Don't delete anything. I'm coming over.””
“Can you identify the document?””
“Not from a photograph. I need to see the original, but if the date is accurate anything. I'm coming over.””
“Can you identify the document?””
“Not from a photograph. I need to see the original, but if the date is accurate, this is extremely serious.””
My father glanced at me.
“Someone is threatening my daughter.””
“I understand. I'll contact the, this is extremely serious.””
My father glanced at me.
“Someone is threatening my daughter.””
“I understand. I'll contact the appropriate people and bring the trust records.””
He ended the call.
I looked toward the staircase.
“Mom said to look appropriate people and bring the trust records.””
He ended the call.
I looked toward the staircase.
“Mom said to look beneath the third stair.””
My father nodded.
“But we're not doing that alone. Evelyn specifically told us to preserve everything.””
I swallowed beneath the third stair.””
My father nodded.
“But we're not doing that alone. Evelyn specifically told us to preserve everything.””
I swallowed.
“What if the evidence disappears?””
“It won't.””
He placed his phone on the counter and opened the security application.
He checked the.
“What if the evidence disappears?””
“It won't.””
He placed his phone on the counter and opened the security application.
He checked the front door camera.
Then the driveway.
Then the garage.
Nothing unusual appeared.
But when he opened the camera covering the staircase front door camera.
Then the driveway.
Then the garage.
Nothing unusual appeared.
But when he opened the camera covering the staircase, he stopped.
“What's wrong?”” I asked.
He rewound the footage.
At 2:17 that, he stopped.
“What's wrong?”” I asked.
He rewound the footage.
At 2:17 that afternoon, while we were talking to the officers, someone had entered the house.
A person wearing a dark coat.
afternoon, while we were talking to the officers, someone had entered the house.
A person wearing a dark coat.
The camera showed only the back of their head.
They walked directly toward the staircase.
Then they disappeared from view.
My fatherThe camera showed only the back of their head.
They walked directly toward the staircase.
Then they disappeared from view.
My father replayed the footage.
“Who has a key?””
I thought about it.
“Vanella.””
“Anyone else?””
“ replayed the footage.
“Who has a key?””
I thought about it.
“Vanella.””
“Anyone else?””
“Brielle.””
He shook his head.
“Anyone outside the family?””
I remembered RaymondBrielle.””
He shook his head.
“Anyone outside the family?””
I remembered Raymond's photograph.
“Maybe him.””
My father paused the video.
“'s photograph.
“Maybe him.””
My father paused the video.
“Why would he come here?””
Neither of us had an answer.
Then the doorbell rang.
We both turned.
My father checked the camera.
Evelyn stood on the porch.
He openedWhy would he come here?””
Neither of us had an answer.
Then the doorbell rang.
We both turned.
My father checked the camera.
Evelyn stood on the porch.
He opened the door immediately.
She entered carrying a leather briefcase and a thick folder.
“Have you received any more messages?””
“No,” my the door immediately.
She entered carrying a leather briefcase and a thick folder.
“Have you received any more messages?””
“No,” my father replied.
“But someone entered the house while we were speaking to the officers.””
He showed her the footage.
Evelyn watched it twice.
“Do father replied.
“But someone entered the house while we were speaking to the officers.””
He showed her the footage.
Evelyn watched it twice.
“Do you recognize the person?””
“No.””
She placed her briefcase on the table.
“Then let's deal with the documents first.””
My you recognize the person?””
“No.””
She placed her briefcase on the table.
“Then let's deal with the documents first.””
My father showed her the photograph.
Evelyn's expression became serious.
“This appears to be an attempted amendment to the trust.””
“Can it be verified?””
“Yes father showed her the photograph.
Evelyn's expression became serious.
“This appears to be an attempted amendment to the trust.””
“Can it be verified?””
“Yes. The original records are maintained by the trustee. I'll request an immediate preservation of the account history and all submitted.
The original records are maintained by the trustee. I'll request an immediate preservation of the account history and all submitted documents.””
She examined the signatures.
Then she looked at my father.
“Marcus, I need you to understand something. The document may have been submitted without documents.””
She examined the signatures.
Then she looked at my father.
“Marcus, I need you to understand something. The document may have been submitted without your knowledge. That doesn't mean it was accepted.””
“So the house is still protected?””
“Based on the original deed we reviewed, yes. But your knowledge. That doesn't mean it was accepted.””
“So the house is still protected?””
“Based on the original deed we reviewed, yes. But we need confirmation from the trustee.””
I felt my shoulders relax slightly.
Then Evelyn turned to me.
“ we need confirmation from the trustee.””
I felt my shoulders relax slightly.
Then Evelyn turned to me.
“Your mother left something beneath the staircase?””
I nodded.
She opened her briefcase and removed a small camera.
“WeYour mother left something beneath the staircase?””
I nodded.
She opened her briefcase and removed a small camera.
“We can document whatever we find.””
My father led us into the hallway.
The staircase was made can document whatever we find.””
My father led us into the hallway.
The staircase was made of dark oak, with a small decorative panel beneath the third step.
I knelt beside it.
The panel looked exactly as I remembered.
There was a tiny wooden of dark oak, with a small decorative panel beneath the third step.
I knelt beside it.
The panel looked exactly as I remembered.
There was a tiny wooden knob near the bottom.
I pulled it.
Nothing happened.
My father crouched beside me.
“Try lifting it slightly.””
knob near the bottom.
I pulled it.
Nothing happened.
My father crouched beside me.
“Try lifting it slightly.””
I did.
The panel moved.
A narrow compartment appeared behind it.
Inside was a metal tin wrapped in an old blue scarf.
I did.
The panel moved.
A narrow compartment appeared behind it.
Inside was a metal tin wrapped in an old blue scarf.
My mother's scarf.
I carefully pulled it out.
The metal was cold against my fingers.
Evelyn took photographsMy mother's scarf.
I carefully pulled it out.
The metal was cold against my fingers.
Evelyn took photographs before allowing us to open it.
Inside were three things.
A small notebook.
A USB drive.
And a sealed envelope addressed to Marcus.
My father picked before allowing us to open it.
Inside were three things.
A small notebook.
A USB drive.
And a sealed envelope addressed to Marcus.
My father picked up the envelope.
His hands trembled.
He opened it.
Marcus,
*If you are reading this, then someone has attempted to alter the documents protecting up the envelope.
His hands trembled.
He opened it.
Marcus,
If you are reading this, then someone has attempted to alter the documents protecting our daughter.
I need you to know that I never authorized any transfer of our property or the funds established our daughter.
I need you to know that I never authorized any transfer of our property or the funds established for her education.
I also need you to understand that Raymond Cole is not the only person involved.
My father stopped reading.
“Not the only person?””
Evelyn leaned for her education.*
I also need you to understand that Raymond Cole is not the only person involved.
My father stopped reading.
“Not the only person?””
Evelyn leaned closer.
“Keep going.””
He continued.
*I discovered that someone close to us had been providing information about our finances. closer.
“Keep going.””
He continued.
I discovered that someone close to us had been providing information about our finances. Someone who knew our schedules, our passwords, and the location of important documents.
I initially believed it was Raymond. But the Someone who knew our schedules, our passwords, and the location of important documents.
I initially believed it was Raymond. But the records showed that he was receiving information from someone inside the house.
I looked at my father.
“Who?””
He turned the page.
There was no name records showed that he was receiving information from someone inside the house.*
I looked at my father.
“Who?””
He turned the page.
There was no name.
Instead, Mom had written:
*The notebook contains the dates and account numbers. The USB contains copies of the original correspondence.
Instead, Mom had written:
The notebook contains the dates and account numbers. The USB contains copies of the original correspondence. Evelyn knows what to do with them.
Evelyn took the notebook.
She opened it carefully.
Several pages contained dates. Evelyn knows what to do with them.*
Evelyn took the notebook.
She opened it carefully.
Several pages contained dates, transaction numbers, and handwritten notes.
She turned to the final page.
Her face changed.
“What?”” my father asked.
She, transaction numbers, and handwritten notes.
She turned to the final page.
Her face changed.
“What?”” my father asked.
She showed him the entry.
It was dated six weeks before Mom died.
Beside the date were three words.
**Marcus showed him the entry.
It was dated six weeks before Mom died.
Beside the date were three words.
*Marcus's office computer.*
My father frowned.
“What about my computer?””
Evelyn pointed to the next line.
*Access's office computer.*
My father frowned.
“What about my computer?””
Evelyn pointed to the next line.
*Accessed after midnight.*
My father slowly stepped backward.
“Vanella had access to my office.””
I looked at him.
ed after midnight.**
My father slowly stepped backward.
“Vanella had access to my office.””
I looked at him.
“She used to go in there when you were at work.””
He turned.
“What?””
“She said she was organizing the bills.””
My father“She used to go in there when you were at work.””
He turned.
“What?””
“She said she was organizing the bills.””
My father closed his eyes.
Evelyn looked at him.
“Did she have access to your business accounts?””
“Yes.””
“Your closed his eyes.
Evelyn looked at him.
“Did she have access to your business accounts?””
“Yes.””
“Your email?””
“Yes.””
“Your company documents?””
My father didn't answer.
He didn't need to.
Evelyn placed the notebook on the table.
“We email?””
“Yes.””
“Your company documents?””
My father didn't answer.
He didn't need to.
Evelyn placed the notebook on the table.
“We need to preserve the devices and have the records examined. Don't attempt to access or alter anything yourself.””
My father nodded.
Then his phone rang need to preserve the devices and have the records examined. Don't attempt to access or alter anything yourself.””
My father nodded.
Then his phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered on speaker.
“Hello?””
A man's voice came through.
“Marcus. We need to talk.””
My father's.
Unknown number.
He answered on speaker.
“Hello?””
A man's voice came through.
“Marcus. We need to talk.””
My father's face hardened.
“Who is this?””
“You know exactly who this is.””
I looked at Evelyn.
She silently sign face hardened.
“Who is this?””
“You know exactly who this is.””
I looked at Evelyn.
She silently signaled for my father to keep the call going.
“Raymond?””
A short laugh.
“Good. Saves us time.””
“Whataled for my father to keep the call going.
“Raymond?””
A short laugh.
“Good. Saves us time.””
“What do you want?””
“I want you to stop digging into things that don't concern you.””
My father stood straighter.
“You threatened my daughter.””
“I didn't threaten do you want?””
“I want you to stop digging into things that don't concern you.””
My father stood straighter.
“You threatened my daughter.””
“I didn't threaten anybody.””
“You sent a photograph of my house.””
“People take photographs of houses every day.””
My father clenched his jaw anybody.””
“You sent a photograph of my house.””
“People take photographs of houses every day.””
My father clenched his jaw.
“Stay away from my family.””
Raymond laughed again.
“You should have thought about that before trusting the.
“Stay away from my family.””
Raymond laughed again.
“You should have thought about that before trusting the wrong people.””
Then the line went dead.
For a few seconds, nobody spoke.
Evelyn immediately documented the call.
My wrong people.””
Then the line went dead.
For a few seconds, nobody spoke.
Evelyn immediately documented the call.
My father looked at me.
“Go upstairs and lock your bedroom door.””
I didn't move.
“Dad, I'm not father looked at me.
“Go upstairs and lock your bedroom door.””
I didn't move.
“Dad, I'm not leaving you.””
He knelt.
“I'm not sending you away. I'm making sure you're safe.””
I nodded reluctantly.
But before I climbed leaving you.””
He knelt.
“I'm not sending you away. I'm making sure you're safe.””
I nodded reluctantly.
But before I climbed the stairs, I looked at the open tin.
There was one more photograph inside.
It showed Mom standing outside a bank the stairs, I looked at the open tin.
There was one more photograph inside.
It showed Mom standing outside a bank.
Beside her was Raymond.
And behind them, partially visible through the glass entrance, stood another person.
A.
Beside her was Raymond.
And behind them, partially visible through the glass entrance, stood another person.
A person I recognized immediately.
I picked it up.
“Dad?””
He turned.
I pointed to the photograph.
“That's person I recognized immediately.
I picked it up.
“Dad?””
He turned.
I pointed to the photograph.
“That's Brielle's father.””
My father stared at the Brielle's father.””
My father stared at the image.
Evelyn took it from my hands.
Her lips parted.
“Then we have a much bigger problem than we thought.””
Because Brielle's father had supposedly died five years image.
Evelyn took it from my hands.
Her lips parted.
“Then we have a much bigger problem than we thought.””
Because Brielle's father had supposedly died five years earlier.
And now we had photographic evidence that he had been meeting my mother shortly before her death.
May you like
earlier.
And now we had photographic evidence that he had been meeting my mother shortly before her death.
