Chapter 7: ## Chapter 7: The Woman Behind the Signature
Michael Reed dropped: The Woman Behind the Signature
Michael Reed dropped his phone onto the table as if it had burned his phone onto the table as if it had burned him.
For three seconds, nobody moved.
Then the security guard stationed outside the apartment opened him.
For three seconds, nobody moved.
Then the security guard stationed outside the apartment opened the door and stepped inside.
“Is everything all right?””
Samantha pointed toward the phone the door and stepped inside.
“Is everything all right?””
Samantha pointed toward the phone.
“Someone may have access to this apartment. I need you to check the hallway cameras and.
“Someone may have access to this apartment. I need you to check the hallway cameras and contact building security immediately.””
The guard nodded and disappeared.
I stood beside Gabriel's contact building security immediately.””
The guard nodded and disappeared.
I stood beside Gabriel's bassinet, my son sleeping peacefully beneath a knitted blanket, while the room around me bassinet, my son sleeping peacefully beneath a knitted blanket, while the room around me seemed to shrink.
Someone had photographed Michael's notebook from inside our apartment.
Someone knew where he was.
And someone had apparently known where I was since the seemed to shrink.
Someone had photographed Michael's notebook from inside our apartment.
Someone knew where he was.
And someone had apparently known where I was since the day I gave birth.
“Michael,” I said, forcing my voice to remain steady day I gave birth.
“Michael,” I said, forcing my voice to remain steady, “who else knew you were coming here?””
“No one.””
“Think carefully.””
“I swear, Naomi. I didn't tell, “who else knew you were coming here?””
“No one.””
“Think carefully.””
“I swear, Naomi. I didn't tell anyone.””
Samantha picked up his phone without touching the screen and examined the message from a distance.
“Did you receive anyone.””
Samantha picked up his phone without touching the screen and examined the message from a distance.
“Did you receive any unusual calls today?””
Michael rubbed his face.
“I've been getting calls from blocked numbers for any unusual calls today?””
Michael rubbed his face.
“I've been getting calls from blocked numbers for weeks. Most of them hang up when I answer.””
“Why didn't you tell me?”” I asked.
“Because I weeks. Most of them hang up when I answer.””
“Why didn't you tell me?”” I asked.
“Because I didn't know if it was connected to Charles. I didn't want to drag you into something I couldn't prove.””
I looked at the photograph of my forged didn't know if it was connected to Charles. I didn't want to drag you into something I couldn't prove.””
I looked at the photograph of my forged signature.
“You're already here. And someone has already threatened my child.””
Michael lowered his head.
“I signature.
“You're already here. And someone has already threatened my child.””
Michael lowered his head.
“I know.””
“No, you don't.”” My voice broke despite my effort to control it.
“You can leave this room. You can know.””
“No, you don't.”” My voice broke despite my effort to control it.
“You can leave this room. You can change your name, move to another state, and try to forget everything you change your name, move to another state, and try to forget everything you know. I have a newborn son and a father who thinks he can take our future away know. I have a newborn son and a father who thinks he can take our future away whenever he wants.””
I took a breath.
“So I need you to stop protecting whenever he wants.””
I took a breath.
“So I need you to stop protecting me from the truth and start telling me all of it.””
Michael stared at the black notebook.
Then he nodded me from the truth and start telling me all of it.””
Michael stared at the black notebook.
Then he nodded.
“There is one thing I haven't told you.””
Samantha pulled out a chair.
“Start there.
“There is one thing I haven't told you.””
Samantha pulled out a chair.
“Start there.””
Michael opened the notebook to a page marked with a strip of yellow paper.
“Three weeks before Lucas died,.””
Michael opened the notebook to a page marked with a strip of yellow paper.
“Three weeks before Lucas died, he asked me to trace a series of payments from one of Charles's former construction companies. The payments had passed he asked me to trace a series of payments from one of Charles's former construction companies. The payments had passed through several accounts before reaching a holding company called Northstar Development.””
“That's the company trying to buy the mansion,” Samantha said through several accounts before reaching a holding company called Northstar Development.””
“That's the company trying to buy the mansion,” Samantha said.
“Yes. But Northstar wasn't the final destination. The money moved again, this time into an.
“Yes. But Northstar wasn't the final destination. The money moved again, this time into an account controlled by a private trust.””
“Whose trust?”” I asked.
Michael looked at me.
“Denise Bennett's.””
account controlled by a private trust.””
“Whose trust?”” I asked.
Michael looked at me.
“Denise Bennett's.””
I felt my stomach tighten.
“Denise isn't married to my father.””
“She doesn't need to be.I felt my stomach tighten.
“Denise isn't married to my father.””
“She doesn't need to be. The trust was established years before they became a couple. The company records suggest she's been connected to The trust was established years before they became a couple. The company records suggest she's been connected to Northstar since its formation.””
Samantha flipped through the notebook.
“Why didn't Lucas include this in Northstar since its formation.””
Samantha flipped through the notebook.
“Why didn't Lucas include this in the documents he left me?””
“Because he was still trying to verify the connection. He believed someone the documents he left me?””
“Because he was still trying to verify the connection. He believed someone had deliberately separated the financial records to make it look as though Charles was the only person involved.””
I thought about Denise standing in the doorway had deliberately separated the financial records to make it look as though Charles was the only person involved.””
I thought about Denise standing in the doorway of my home, holding my keys while my father told me to leave.
Her calm of my home, holding my keys while my father told me to leave.
Her calm expression.
Her irritation when I begged for an ambulance.
Her warning that families survived when people knew when to stop digging expression.
Her irritation when I begged for an ambulance.
Her warning that families survived when people knew when to stop digging.
Suddenly, her behavior made terrible sense.
She hadn't been watching my father throw me out because she was uncomfortable.
.
Suddenly, her behavior made terrible sense.
She hadn't been watching my father throw me out because she was uncomfortable.
She had been waiting to see whether I would leave quietly.
“Why does she want the house?”” I asked.
Michael turned anotherShe had been waiting to see whether I would leave quietly.
“Why does she want the house?”” I asked.
Michael turned another page.
“Because Lucas's mansion was used as collateral for a private financial agreement. page.
“Because Lucas's mansion was used as collateral for a private financial agreement. The trust was supposed to prevent the property from being transferred without your consent. But if the forged authorization is accepted, Northstar could acquire the property and gain access The trust was supposed to prevent the property from being transferred without your consent. But if the forged authorization is accepted, Northstar could acquire the property and gain access to the related records.””
“Which would make the missing money harder to trace,” Samantha said.
Michael nodded.
“Exactly to the related records.””
“Which would make the missing money harder to trace,” Samantha said.
Michael nodded.
“Exactly.””
I stared at the paperwork.
“So my father is trying to sell my home to a company connected to Denise, and.””
I stared at the paperwork.
“So my father is trying to sell my home to a company connected to Denise, and Denise is helping him do it.””
“We have evidence of financial connections,” Samantha cautioned.
“We still Denise is helping him do it.””
“We have evidence of financial connections,” Samantha cautioned.
“We still need to establish who authorized the attempted transfer and whether Denise knowingly participated.””
I looked at her.
“There's a forged signature bearing need to establish who authorized the attempted transfer and whether Denise knowingly participated.””
I looked at her.
“There's a forged signature bearing my name.””
“Yes. And that is serious. But we need the original document examined and the chain of custody established.””
my name.””
“Yes. And that is serious. But we need the original document examined and the chain of custody established.””
I hated how careful she had to be.
I hated that every truth came with another qualification.
But I also understood that LucasI hated how careful she had to be.
I hated that every truth came with another qualification.
But I also understood that Lucas had left us a puzzle, and solving it required more than anger.
It required evidence that couldn't had left us a puzzle, and solving it required more than anger.
It required evidence that couldn't be explained away.
Michael closed the notebook.
“There is another document. The original beneficial ownership agreement for Northstar. Lucas told me it named be explained away.
Michael closed the notebook.
“There is another document. The original beneficial ownership agreement for Northstar. Lucas told me it named the person who controlled the company.””
“Where is it?”” Samantha asked.
“I don't know.””
I stepped closer.
“You said the person who controlled the company.””
“Where is it?”” Samantha asked.
“I don't know.””
I stepped closer.
“You said Lucas gave you documents before he died.””
“He gave me copies of the ledger and some emails. He told me the ownership Lucas gave you documents before he died.””
“He gave me copies of the ledger and some emails. He told me the ownership agreement was stored separately. He said he'd secured it somewhere Charles wouldn't think to search.””
My pulse quick agreement was stored separately. He said he'd secured it somewhere Charles wouldn't think to search.””
My pulse quickened.
“The mansion.””
Michael shook his head.
“I don't think so. He told me the original agreement was outside the house.””
“Then where?””
“Iened.
“The mansion.””
Michael shook his head.
“I don't think so. He told me the original agreement was outside the house.””
“Then where?””
“I don't know. But he mentioned a place he called the room where our life don't know. But he mentioned a place he called the room where our life began.””
I stared at him.
“What does that mean?””
Michael shook his head again.
“I thought it was a metaphor.””
It wasn't began.””
I stared at him.
“What does that mean?””
Michael shook his head again.
“I thought it was a metaphor.””
It wasn't.
Lucas had proposed to me in a little lakeside cottage in Vermont. We had rented it for a long weekend during our first year together.
Lucas had proposed to me in a little lakeside cottage in Vermont. We had rented it for a long weekend during our first year together, back when our biggest worry was whether we could afford a wedding without borrowing money.
He had placed a ring inside a coffee, back when our biggest worry was whether we could afford a wedding without borrowing money.
He had placed a ring inside a coffee mug and watched me search the entire cottage before finally finding it.
The room where our life began.
I looked at Samantha.
“The cottage.””
She frowned.
“Do mug and watched me search the entire cottage before finally finding it.
The room where our life began.
I looked at Samantha.
“The cottage.””
She frowned.
“Do you still have access to it?””
“Lucas bought it after we got married. He said it was a place you still have access to it?””
“Lucas bought it after we got married. He said it was a place we could escape to when the city became too much.””
“Does your father know about it?””
I thought about the way Charles we could escape to when the city became too much.””
“Does your father know about it?””
I thought about the way Charles had dismissed Lucas for years, calling him a man who had built his fortune from nothing.
“No. I had dismissed Lucas for years, calling him a man who had built his fortune from nothing.
“No. I don't think he ever cared enough to ask where we went.””
Michael leaned forward.
“If the agreement is there, it could prove who controlled don't think he ever cared enough to ask where we went.””
Michael leaned forward.
“If the agreement is there, it could prove who controlled Northstar. But you need to be careful. If Denise is involved, she may already know about the cottage Northstar.
But you need to be careful. If Denise is involved, she may already know about the cottage.””
My phone vibrated.
A message from an unknown number appeared on the screen.
**You have until tomorrow morning.””
My phone vibrated.
A message from an unknown number appeared on the screen.
*You have until tomorrow morning to withdraw the trust dispute.*
A second message followed.
*Or the people you love will pay to withdraw the trust dispute.*
A second message followed.
*Or the people you love will pay for your stubbornness.*
I looked at Gabriel.
My hands went cold.
Samantha immediately called the police and reported for your stubbornness.**
I looked at Gabriel.
My hands went cold.
Samantha immediately called the police and reported the threat. She also arranged for the building's security team to escort Michael to a protected location while we waited for further instructions.
But as the threat. She also arranged for the building's security team to escort Michael to a protected location while we waited for further instructions.
But as the security guard led him toward the door, Michael turned back.
“Naomi, there's one more thing.””
“What?””
He the security guard led him toward the door, Michael turned back.
“Naomi, there's one more thing.””
“What?””
He looked at the notebook.
“Lucas didn't just suspect Denise was involved. He told me he had proof that she had been using your name for looked at the notebook.
“Lucas didn't just suspect Denise was involved. He told me he had proof that she had been using your name for years.””
I stared at him.
“What do you mean, using my name?””
Michael swallowed.
“He believed she had opened financial years.””
I stared at him.
“What do you mean, using my name?””
Michael swallowed.
“He believed she had opened financial accounts under your identity before you married Lucas.””
The room went silent.
My father had always insisted that family business was too complicated for me to accounts under your identity before you married Lucas.””
The room went silent.
My father had always insisted that family business was too complicated for me to understand. He had discouraged me from looking at his company records, handled financial paperwork on my behalf when understand. He had discouraged me from looking at his company records, handled financial paperwork on my behalf when I was younger, and told me not to worry about documents he said were routine.
I had trusted him.
I had signed things I was younger, and told me not to worry about documents he said were routine.
I had trusted him.
I had signed things because he told me they were harmless.
But I had never authorized anyone to use my name to move money.
Samantha gathered because he told me they were harmless.
But I had never authorized anyone to use my name to move money.
Samantha gathered the documents.
“We need to check Naomi's credit and financial records, with her authorization, and notify the documents.
“We need to check Naomi's credit and financial records, with her authorization, and notify the appropriate institutions if we find evidence of identity misuse.””
I nodded, barely hearing her.
The the appropriate institutions if we find evidence of identity misuse.””
I nodded, barely hearing her.
The forged signature on the bank authorization had looked almost perfect.
What if it wasn't the first?
What if someone had been forged signature on the bank authorization had looked almost perfect.
What if it wasn't the first?
What if someone had been building a financial trail under my name for years?
I looked at the nursery photograph Lucas had left behind, the one showing him building a financial trail under my name for years?
I looked at the nursery photograph Lucas had left behind, the one showing him outside an office building with the investigator who had closed his case.
He had been trying to protect me from something much bigger than the mansion.
And now I understood why he had hidden the outside an office building with the investigator who had closed his case.
He had been trying to protect me from something much bigger than the mansion.
And now I understood why he had hidden the evidence instead of leaving it in the house.
He hadn't been protecting a property.
He had been protecting my identity.
That evidence instead of leaving it in the house.
He hadn't been protecting a property.
He had been protecting my identity.
That evening, Samantha arranged for a police officer to accompany us to a secure hotel outside the city. Gabriel slept in my arms as we moved through the lobby, surrounded evening, Samantha arranged for a police officer to accompany us to a secure hotel outside the city. Gabriel slept in my arms as we moved through the lobby, surrounded by people who had no idea that the quiet woman in the champagne-colored coat was carrying evidence that could unravel by people who had no idea that the quiet woman in the champagne-colored coat was carrying evidence that could unravel a powerful family's secrets.
I sat beside the window while Samantha reviewed the court filing.
“We need to prepare for tomorrow,” she said.
“Your father a powerful family's secrets.
I sat beside the window while Samantha reviewed the court filing.
“We need to prepare for tomorrow,” she said.
“Your father may attempt to withdraw the sale application, claim the signature was authorized, or argue that the dispute should be handled privately.””
“Can he may attempt to withdraw the sale application, claim the signature was authorized, or argue that the dispute should be handled privately.””
“Can he still get control of the trust?””
“Not without persuading the court that the existing protections are inadequate. Today's order makes that more difficult.””
still get control of the trust?””
“Not without persuading the court that the existing protections are inadequate. Today's order makes that more difficult.””
I looked at her.
“What happens if we find the Northstar agreement?””
“If it identifies the beneficial owner, we can giveI looked at her.
“What happens if we find the Northstar agreement?””
“If it identifies the beneficial owner, we can give it to investigators and use it to challenge the attempted transfer. Depending on what it contains, it may also help establish it to investigators and use it to challenge the attempted transfer. Depending on what it contains, it may also help establish the financial motive behind your father's actions.””
“And Lucas's death?””
“That requires a separate investigation. We mustn't assume the financial evidence proves anything about how the financial motive behind your father's actions.””
“And Lucas's death?””
“That requires a separate investigation. We mustn't assume the financial evidence proves anything about how he died.””
I nodded.
Then I reached for the black notebook.
“There is something I need to understand.””
Samantha looked up.
“What?””
he died.””
I nodded.
Then I reached for the black notebook.
“There is something I need to understand.””
Samantha looked up.
“What?””
“If Denise opened accounts under my name before Lucas and I married, she might have used information from my father“If Denise opened accounts under my name before Lucas and I married, she might have used information from my father. How would she have gotten my personal records?””
Samantha hesitated.
“Someone with access to your financial information could have provided. How would she have gotten my personal records?””
Samantha hesitated.
“Someone with access to your financial information could have provided them. That doesn't automatically mean your father participated, but it would need to be investigated.””
I remembered the years Charles had managed them. That doesn't automatically mean your father participated, but it would need to be investigated.””
I remembered the years Charles had managed my first bank account.
The tax forms he had asked me to sign.
The envelopes he had my first bank account.
The tax forms he had asked me to sign.
The envelopes he had collected from my old apartment because he said it was easier for him to handle the paperwork.
I had never thought to question him.
My collected from my old apartment because he said it was easier for him to handle the paperwork.
I had never thought to question him.
My phone rang.
This time, the caller ID displayed a name.
*Denise Bennett.*
Samantha immediately motioned for me to put it phone rang.
This time, the caller ID displayed a name.
*Denise Bennett.*
Samantha immediately motioned for me to put it on speaker.
I answered.
“What do you want?””
Denise's voice was smooth.
“Naomi, I think we should talk.””
on speaker.
I answered.
“What do you want?””
Denise's voice was smooth.
“Naomi, I think we should talk.””
“We've talked enough.””
“Not about the things that matter.””
I glanced at Samantha.
She was recording the“We've talked enough.””
“Not about the things that matter.””
I glanced at Samantha.
She was recording the call on her own device after confirming the applicable legal requirements with counsel.
“Then say call on her own device after confirming the applicable legal requirements with counsel.
“Then say what you have to say,” I replied.
Denise sighed.
“Your father has made mistakes. So has Lucas. But you don't understand what you have to say,” I replied.
Denise sighed.
“Your father has made mistakes. So has Lucas. But you don't understand how much damage will be done if you keep pursuing this.””
“What damage?””
“Financial damage how much damage will be done if you keep pursuing this.””
“What damage?””
“Financial damage. Reputational damage. Damage to people who had nothing to do with your husband's death.””
“Then why. Reputational damage. Damage to people who had nothing to do with your husband's death.””
“Then why are you afraid of the records?””
“I'm not afraid.””
“Then help us identify who owns Northstar.””
Sil are you afraid of the records?””
“I'm not afraid.””
“Then help us identify who owns Northstar.””
Silence.
For the first time, Denise didn't have an immediate answer.
I leaned forward.
“What's the matter?ence.
For the first time, Denise didn't have an immediate answer.
I leaned forward.
“What's the matter? Is that question too complicated?””
Her voice sharpened.
“You have no idea what Lucas was doing. He was preparing to destroy people Is that question too complicated?””
Her voice sharpened.
“You have no idea what Lucas was doing. He was preparing to destroy people who trusted him.””
“Did you open accounts in my name?””
Another silence.
Then she said, “You who trusted him.””
“Did you open accounts in my name?””
Another silence.
Then she said, “You should ask your father what you signed when you were nineteen.””
My entire body went rigid.
“What does that should ask your father what you signed when you were nineteen.””
My entire body went rigid.
“What does that mean?””
“It means you were not always as innocent as you like to believe.””
“I was nineteen. I trusted my father.””
“And mean?””
“It means you were not always as innocent as you like to believe.””
“I was nineteen. I trusted my father.””
“And that was your choice.””
I gripped the phone.
“If you have evidence I authorized those that was your choice.””
I gripped the phone.
“If you have evidence I authorized those accounts, produce it.””
Denise gave a small, humorless laugh.
“Ask Charles about the summer accounts, produce it.””
Denise gave a small, humorless laugh.
“Ask Charles about the summer you worked at his office. Ask him what happened to the documents you signed before you left for college.””
I felt as you worked at his office. Ask him what happened to the documents you signed before you left for college.””
I felt as though someone had opened a trapdoor beneath me.
“I don't remember signing anything like that.””
“Memory is a convenient though someone had opened a trapdoor beneath me.
“I don't remember signing anything like that.””
“Memory is a convenient thing, Naomi.””
“Did you forge my signature?””
“I didn't call to discuss signatures.””
“Then why did thing, Naomi.””
“Did you forge my signature?””
“I didn't call to discuss signatures.””
“Then why did you call?””
Her voice lowered.
“Because your father is about to do something foolish, and I am giving you a you call?””
Her voice lowered.
“Because your father is about to do something foolish, and I am giving you a chance to stop him.””
“What is he going to do?””
“Withdraw the court petition. Transfer the remaining chance to stop him.””
“What is he going to do?””
“Withdraw the court petition. Transfer the remaining assets. And leave the country.””
I stared at Samantha.
She raised her eyebrows.
“Why tell me?”” assets. And leave the country.””
I stared at Samantha.
She raised her eyebrows.
“Why tell me?”” I asked.
“Because once he leaves, you'll never get the truth.””
“Then help us stop him.””
Denise I asked.
“Because once he leaves, you'll never get the truth.””
“Then help us stop him.””
Denise exhaled.
“I can't.””
“Can't or won't?””
Before she answered, I heard a exhaled.
“I can't.””
“Can't or won't?””
Before she answered, I heard a man's voice in the background.
Charles.
“Who are you talking to?””
Denise immediately lowered her voice.
“No one.””
I heard man's voice in the background.
Charles.
“Who are you talking to?””
Denise immediately lowered her voice.
“No one.””
I heard a chair scrape.
Then Charles spoke directly into the phone.
“Naomi, listen carefully. If you go a chair scrape.
Then Charles spoke directly into the phone.
“Naomi, listen carefully. If you go to that cottage, you will regret it.””
My blood turned cold.
He knew.
He knew where Lucas had hidden the agreement.
“Why?”” to that cottage, you will regret it.””
My blood turned cold.
He knew.
He knew where Lucas had hidden the agreement.
“Why?”” I asked.
“Because there's nothing there for you.””
“Then you won't mind if I look.””
His I asked.
“Because there's nothing there for you.””
“Then you won't mind if I look.””
His breathing grew heavier.
“Stay away from that property.””
“Is it yours?””
“It's breathing grew heavier.
“Stay away from that property.””
“Is it yours?””
“It's family property.””
“No. Lucas bought it.””
“Lucas made a great many mistakes.””
I swallowed family property.””
“No. Lucas bought it.””
“Lucas made a great many mistakes.””
I swallowed.
“Did you kill him?””
The silence that followed was so complete that I could hear Gabriel breathing against.
“Did you kill him?””
The silence that followed was so complete that I could hear Gabriel breathing against my chest.
Then my father said, in a voice I had never heard before:
“You have no idea what I did to keep this family alive.””
The my chest.
Then my father said, in a voice I had never heard before:
“You have no idea what I did to keep this family alive.””
The call ended.
I stared at the phone.
Samantha was already standing.
“We're going to Vermont.””
I looked down at Gabriel.
Then call ended.
I stared at the phone.
Samantha was already standing.
“We're going to Vermont.””
I looked down at Gabriel.
Then I looked at the photograph of Lucas, the hidden key, and the forged signature bearing my name.
My father had just I looked at the photograph of Lucas, the hidden key, and the forged signature bearing my name.
My father had just admitted that he had done something he was desperate to keep hidden.
I didn't know whether it involved money, the admitted that he had done something he was desperate to keep hidden.
I didn't know whether it involved money, the investigation, or Lucas's death.
But I knew one thing.
The cottage held the answer.
And my father was terrified of what I would find there.
## Chapter investigation, or Lucas's death.
But I knew one thing.
May you like
The cottage held the answer.
And my father was terrified of what I would find there.
