Chapter 9: Her Mother's Last Warning
The room remained silent after Patricia read the name.
Danielle looked at Michael.
“Why would my mother tell me to contact you?””
Michael didn't answer.
Charles stood beside his daughter, his face read the name.
Danielle looked at Michael.
“Why would my mother tell me to contact you?””
Michael didn't answer.
Charles stood beside his daughter, his face filled with confusion and anger.
“Michael, what did Evelyn know?””
His younger brother stared at the table.
“More than she should have.””
Danielle's filled with confusion and anger.
“Michael, what did Evelyn know?””
His younger brother stared at the table.
“More than she should have.””
Danielle's voice trembled.
“What does that mean?””
Michael rubbed his hands together.
“Your mother discovered something before she died.””
“What?””
“That the company was being used to move money between voice trembled.
“What does that mean?””
Michael rubbed his hands together.
“Your mother discovered something before she died.””
“What?””
“That the company was being used to move money between accounts that weren't supposed to be connected.””
David leaned forward.
“Which accounts?””
Michael looked at him.
“The estate account. The hotel acquisition fund. And a accounts that weren't supposed to be connected.””
David leaned forward.
“Which accounts?””
Michael looked at him.
“The estate account. The hotel acquisition fund. And a private investment account.””
David immediately began typing.
“Who controlled the private account?””
Michael glanced at Daniel's empty chair.
“Daniel.””
Charles shook his head.
“You're telling me Evelyn discovered private investment account.””
David immediately began typing.
“Who controlled the private account?””
Michael glanced at Daniel's empty chair.
“Daniel.””
Charles shook his head.
“You're telling me Evelyn discovered financial irregularities twelve years ago?””
Michael nodded.
“She asked me to investigate.””
“And you did?””
“Yes.””
“Then why didn't you tell me?””
Michael looked at financial irregularities twelve years ago?””
Michael nodded.
“She asked me to investigate.””
“And you did?””
“Yes.””
“Then why didn't you tell me?””
Michael looked at his brother.
“Because by then, you were already signing documents prepared by Daniel's office.””
Charles frowned.
“I trusted the people working for us.””
“I know.””
Michael leaned forward.
“Evel his brother.
“Because by then, you were already signing documents prepared by Daniel's office.””
Charles frowned.
“I trusted the people working for us.””
“I know.””
Michael leaned forward.
“Evelyn told me that someone was using your signature without your knowledge. She believed the same thing might be happening to her estate.””
Danielle feltyn told me that someone was using your signature without your knowledge. She believed the same thing might be happening to her estate.””
Danielle felt her throat tighten.
“Did Mom know someone had taken her money?””
Michael nodded slowly.
“She suspected it.””
“Did she tell Dad?””
Michael looked toward Charles.
“She tried.””
Charles stared at him.
“What?””
“She called you several her throat tighten.
“Did Mom know someone had taken her money?””
Michael nodded slowly.
“She suspected it.””
“Did she tell Dad?””
Michael looked toward Charles.
“She tried.””
Charles stared at him.
“What?””
“She called you several times. You were overseas negotiating an acquisition. She said she couldn't get you to listen.””
Charles closed his eyes.
He remembered those times. You were overseas negotiating an acquisition. She said she couldn't get you to listen.””
Charles closed his eyes.
He remembered those days.
He remembered being away for weeks.
He remembered Evelyn telling him she was worried about some paperwork.
He remembered promising to look into it.
Then she days.
He remembered being away for weeks.
He remembered Evelyn telling him she was worried about some paperwork.
He remembered promising to look into it.
Then she became ill.
The investigation never happened.
Charles lowered his head.
“I should have listened.””
Danielle reached for his hand.
“Dad, you couldn't have known everything.””
“But I could have listened to your became ill.
The investigation never happened.
Charles lowered his head.
“I should have listened.””
Danielle reached for his hand.
“Dad, you couldn't have known everything.””
“But I could have listened to your mother.””
Michael opened his briefcase again.
He removed a sealed envelope.
The paper was yellowed around the edges.
Across the front, in familiar handwriting, were five mother.””
Michael opened his briefcase again.
He removed a sealed envelope.
The paper was yellowed around the edges.
Across the front, in familiar handwriting, were five words.
*For Danielle, when she is ready.*
Danielle recognized her mother's handwriting immediately.
Her fingers began trembling.
“Is that words.
*For Danielle, when she is ready.*
Danielle recognized her mother's handwriting immediately.
Her fingers began trembling.
“Is that it?””
Michael nodded.
“I kept it.””
“Why?””
“Because Evelyn asked me to.””
“Then why didn't you give it to me?””
Michael looked ashamed.
“Because I was afraid of what it contained.””
Danielle carefully took the envelope.
Her mother's handwriting looked exactly as she remembered it.
it?””
Michael nodded.
“I kept it.””
“Why?””
“Because Evelyn asked me to.””
“Then why didn't you give it to me?””
Michael looked ashamed.
“Because I was afraid of what it contained.””
Danielle carefully took the envelope.
Her mother's handwriting looked exactly as she remembered it.
The rounded letters.
The little heart Evelyn used to draw above the letter i in Danielle's name.
Danielle sat down.
Charles moved closer.
“The rounded letters.
The little heart Evelyn used to draw above the letter i in Danielle's name.
Danielle sat down.
Charles moved closer.
“Would you like me to read it?””
She shook her head.
“No. I want to.””
She opened the envelope.
Inside was a handwritten letter and a small photograph.
The photograph showed Evelyn sitting on a bench outside a hospital, holding aWould you like me to read it?””
She shook her head.
“No. I want to.””
She opened the envelope.
Inside was a handwritten letter and a small photograph.
The photograph showed Evelyn sitting on a bench outside a hospital, holding a much younger Danielle.
Danielle smiled through her tears.
Then she unfolded the letter.
My beautiful Danielle,
If you're reading this, it means something happened that I hoped would never happen.
*I wanted you to much younger Danielle.
Danielle smiled through her tears.
Then she unfolded the letter.
My beautiful Danielle,
If you're reading this, it means something happened that I hoped would never happen.
I wanted you to receive the money I saved for you. Not because money can replace love, but because I wanted you to have choices.
I have learned that some people in our family have been making decisions about money that do not belong to them.
I don't receive the money I saved for you. Not because money can replace love, but because I wanted you to have choices.
I have learned that some people in our family have been making decisions about money that do not belong to them.
I don't know how much your father knows. I don't want you to think badly of him. Charles has always believed the best in people, sometimes even when they don't deserve it.
But I need you to be careful.
Your uncle Michael knows know how much your father knows. I don't want you to think badly of him. Charles has always believed the best in people, sometimes even when they don't deserve it.
But I need you to be careful.
Your uncle Michael knows about the missing records. I asked him to keep copies.
If the money is ever taken, don't accept the first explanation you are about the missing records. I asked him to keep copies.
If the money is ever taken, don't accept the first explanation you are given.
Find the original account statements given.
Find the original account statements.
Find the document dated October 14.
And ask who signed the transfer.
I love you more than anything in this world.
Never let anyone convince you that you are less deserving of respect because of where you come from or what you have.
You.
Find the document dated October 14.
And ask who signed the transfer.
I love you more than anything in this world.
Never let anyone convince you that you are less deserving of respect because of where you come from or what you have.
You were my greatest blessing.
Love,
Mom.
Danielle stopped reading.
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
She pressed the letter against her chest.
Charles wrapped his arms around her.
“I'm sorry, sweetheart.””
She leaned against him.
“I miss her were my greatest blessing.*
Love,
Mom.
Danielle stopped reading.
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
She pressed the letter against her chest.
Charles wrapped his arms around her.
“I'm sorry, sweetheart.””
She leaned against him.
“I miss her.””
“I know.””
“I wish she could see Amara.””
Charles looked at his granddaughter.
“Your mother would have loved her.””
Danielle smiled through.””
“I know.””
“I wish she could see Amara.””
Charles looked at his granddaughter.
“Your mother would have loved her.””
Danielle smiled through her tears.
“She would have spoiled her.””
Charles laughed softly.
“She absolutely would.””
For a few seconds, the conference room felt like a family room instead of the center of a corporate investigation.
Then David spoke.
“Mr. Carter?””
Charles turned.
“Yes her tears.
“She would have spoiled her.””
Charles laughed softly.
“She absolutely would.””
For a few seconds, the conference room felt like a family room instead of the center of a corporate investigation.
Then David spoke.
“Mr. Carter?””
Charles turned.
“Yes?””
“The letter mentions October 14.””
David opened the archive records.
“I've found a document with that date.””
Michael looked?””
“The letter mentions October 14.””
David opened the archive records.
“I've found a document with that date.””
Michael looked up sharply.
“Where?””
David rotated his laptop.
A scanned transaction appeared.
It was an original transfer authorization.
The date was October up sharply.
“Where?””
David rotated his laptop.
A scanned transaction appeared.
It was an original transfer authorization.
The date was October 14, twelve years earlier.
The document listed Evelyn Carter's estate account as the source.
The receiving account belonged to an investment company.
David enlarged the14, twelve years earlier.
The document listed Evelyn Carter's estate account as the source.
The receiving account belonged to an investment company.
David enlarged the final section.
“There's a second authorization here.””
Charles leaned closer.
His eyes narrowed.
“That's final section.
“There's a second authorization here.””
Charles leaned closer.
His eyes narrowed.
“That's my signature.””
David nodded.
“But the digital metadata suggests the document was modified after it was signed.””
Charles stared at the screen.
“Can you determine what changed?””
“Not my signature.””
David nodded.
“But the digital metadata suggests the document was modified after it was signed.””
Charles stared at the screen.
“Can you determine what changed?””
“Not yet. We need the original physical copy.””
Michael suddenly spoke.
“I know where it is.””
Everyone turned.
“Where?”” Charles asked.
Michael looked toward the window.
“In the old family office.””
Charles frowned.
“That office was sold years ago.””
yet. We need the original physical copy.””
Michael suddenly spoke.
“I know where it is.””
Everyone turned.
“Where?”” Charles asked.
Michael looked toward the window.
“In the old family office.””
Charles frowned.
“That office was sold years ago.””
“Not all of it.””
Michael explained that when the family business was reorganized, certain original records had been transferred to a private storage facility.
He had kept a key.
A physical key.
Not a digital access code.
“Not all of it.””
Michael explained that when the family business was reorganized, certain original records had been transferred to a private storage facility.
He had kept a key.
A physical key.
Not a digital access code.
He removed it from his briefcase and placed it on the table.
“Everything Evelyn collected is in a locked cabinet.””
Charles stared at him.
“You've had those documents for twelve years?””
“Yes.””
“He removed it from his briefcase and placed it on the table.
“Everything Evelyn collected is in a locked cabinet.””
Charles stared at him.
“You've had those documents for twelve years?””
“Yes.””
“Why didn't you give them to me?””
Michael's eyes filled.
“Because I was involved too.””
Danielle looked at him.
“Involved how?””
Michael lowered his head.
“I signedWhy didn't you give them to me?””
Michael's eyes filled.
“Because I was involved too.””
Danielle looked at him.
“Involved how?””
Michael lowered his head.
“I signed the original transfer as a witness. I knew the money wasn't supposed to be moved. But Daniel convinced me the account would be restored before anyone noticed.””
Charles stood the original transfer as a witness. I knew the money wasn't supposed to be moved. But Daniel convinced me the account would be restored before anyone noticed.””
Charles stood.
“You knew?””
Michael nodded.
“I was afraid of losing everything. The company was struggling, and I believed I could fix it.””
Charles's.
“You knew?””
Michael nodded.
“I was afraid of losing everything. The company was struggling, and I believed I could fix it.””
Charles's voice grew louder.
“You let your own niece lose her mother's inheritance because you were afraid of losing a business?””
Michael didn't defend voice grew louder.
“You let your own niece lose her mother's inheritance because you were afraid of losing a business?””
Michael didn't defend himself.
“I was wrong.””
Danielle wiped her face.
“Uncle Michael, you could have told me.””
“I know.””
“You could have called me. You could have sent me the letter. You could have given me the truth.””
“I know.””
She looked down himself.
“I was wrong.””
Danielle wiped her face.
“Uncle Michael, you could have told me.””
“I know.””
“You could have called me. You could have sent me the letter. You could have given me the truth.””
“I know.””
She looked down at her mother's handwriting.
“Do you understand how many times I thought my mother had simply forgotten to finish what she promised?””
Michael closed his eyes at her mother's handwriting.
“Do you understand how many times I thought my mother had simply forgotten to finish what she promised?””
Michael closed his eyes.
“I'm sorry.””
Danielle shook her head.
“I'm not ready to forgive you.””
“I understand.””
David examined the storage key.
“Mr. Carter, if the original records are still there.
“I'm sorry.””
Danielle shook her head.
“I'm not ready to forgive you.””
“I understand.””
David examined the storage key.
“Mr. Carter, if the original records are still there, we should retrieve them with proper documentation and independent witnesses.””
Charles nodded.
“Arrange it.””
Then James Morgan's phone rang.
He looked at the screen and stepped outside.
A minute later, he returned.
“, we should retrieve them with proper documentation and independent witnesses.””
Charles nodded.
“Arrange it.””
Then James Morgan's phone rang.
He looked at the screen and stepped outside.
A minute later, he returned.
“Charles, there's a serious problem.””
Charles turned.
“What now?””
“The hotel's security team reports that someone attempted to access the archive office.””
David stood.
“Who?””
James looked toward Richard's empty chair.
“TheCharles, there's a serious problem.””
Charles turned.
“What now?””
“The hotel's security team reports that someone attempted to access the archive office.””
David stood.
“Who?””
James looked toward Richard's empty chair.
“The access card belongs to Richard Collins.””
Charles's expression hardened.
“Where is Richard?””
James checked his phone.
“He left the property twenty access card belongs to Richard Collins.””
Charles's expression hardened.
“Where is Richard?””
James checked his phone.
“He left the property twenty minutes ago.””
Michael suddenly looked alarmed.
“Then we need to get to the storage facility.””
Charles picked up his coat.
“Why?””
Michael looked at him.
“Because Richard knows where the original documents are.””
David grabbed his laptop.
“Has anyone confirmed minutes ago.””
Michael suddenly looked alarmed.
“Then we need to get to the storage facility.””
Charles picked up his coat.
“Why?””
Michael looked at him.
“Because Richard knows where the original documents are.””
David grabbed his laptop.
“Has anyone confirmed whether the storage facility is secure?””
Michael shook his head.
“Not yet.””
Charles turned toward Danielle.
“Sweetheart, you're coming with me.””
Danielle looked at her sleeping daughter.
“Dad, I don't want Amara anywhere near this.””
whether the storage facility is secure?””
Michael shook his head.
“Not yet.””
Charles turned toward Danielle.
“Sweetheart, you're coming with me.””
Danielle looked at her sleeping daughter.
“Dad, I don't want Amara anywhere near this.””
Charles nodded.
“Then David will arrange for a trusted employee to accompany you to a private suite while we secure the records.””
Danielle looked at Michael.
“AreCharles nodded.
“Then David will arrange for a trusted employee to accompany you to a private suite while we secure the records.””
Danielle looked at Michael.
“Are you coming?””
He nodded.
“Yes.””
She hesitated.
“Then this time, no more secrets.””
Michael looked directly at her.
“No more secrets.””
They headed toward the conference room door.
But before they could leave, Danielle's phone vibr you coming?””
He nodded.
“Yes.””
She hesitated.
“Then this time, no more secrets.””
Michael looked directly at her.
“No more secrets.””
They headed toward the conference room door.
But before they could leave, Danielle's phone vibrated.
A message had arrived from an unknown number.
It contained a photograph.
Danielle opened it.
Her blood ran cold.
The picture showed the storageated.
A message had arrived from an unknown number.
It contained a photograph.
Danielle opened it.
Her blood ran cold.
The picture showed the storage facility's entrance.
A black vehicle was parked outside.
Beside it stood Richard Collins.
And in his hand was a metal case.
Under the photograph was a message.
**YOU'RE LOOKING IN THE WRONG PLACE. THE facility's entrance.
A black vehicle was parked outside.
Beside it stood Richard Collins.
And in his hand was a metal case.
Under the photograph was a message.
*YOU'RE LOOKING IN THE WRONG PLACE. THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS ARE ALREADY GONE.*
Danielle looked up.
“Dad.””
Charles turned.
She handed him the phone.
He studied the photograph.
Then Michael whispered something ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS ARE ALREADY GONE.**
Danielle looked up.
“Dad.””
Charles turned.
She handed him the phone.
He studied the photograph.
Then Michael whispered something that made everyone's stomach drop.
“That's not Richard's car.””
David zoomed in on the image.
The license plate belonged to a vehicle registered to Daniel Whitmore.
Charles slowly looked that made everyone's stomach drop.
“That's not Richard's car.””
David zoomed in on the image.
The license plate belonged to a vehicle registered to Daniel Whitmore.
Charles slowly looked toward the conference room entrance.
“Where is Daniel?””
James checked the room.
His chair was empty.
Van toward the conference room entrance.
“Where is Daniel?””
James checked the room.
His chair was empty.
Vanessa's handbag was gone too.
Charles immediately called security.
“Lock down the archive records. Contact the authorities. Nobody leaves this property without beingessa's handbag was gone too.
Charles immediately called security.
“Lock down the archive records. Contact the authorities. Nobody leaves this property without being identified.””
Then he looked at Danielle.
“Stay with David. Don't go anywhere alone.””
Danielle clutched her mother's letter.
“Dad, what if they destroy everything?””
Charles looked at the photograph again.
“Then we'll find another way to prove the identified.””
Then he looked at Danielle.
“Stay with David. Don't go anywhere alone.””
Danielle clutched her mother's letter.
“Dad, what if they destroy everything?””
Charles looked at the photograph again.
“Then we'll find another way to prove the truth.””
But David was already examining the message's original attachment.
He suddenly stopped.
“Mr. Carter?””
“What?””
“This photograph wasn't sent from truth.””
But David was already examining the message's original attachment.
He suddenly stopped.
“Mr. Carter?””
“What?””
“This photograph wasn't sent from an anonymous number.””
Charles stepped closer.
David enlarged the sender information.
The message had originated from an internal hotel device.
One registered to the regional operations office.
James stared at the screen.
“That's my an anonymous number.””
Charles stepped closer.
David enlarged the sender information.
The message had originated from an internal hotel device.
One registered to the regional operations office.
James stared at the screen.
“That's my office.””
David nodded.
“And the person who sent it used your access credentials.””
James looked horrified.
Charles slowly turned toward him.
“James, I need you to tell me something.””
James swallowed.
office.””
David nodded.
“And the person who sent it used your access credentials.””
James looked horrified.
Charles slowly turned toward him.
“James, I need you to tell me something.””
James swallowed.
“What?””
“Are you helping us find the truth, or have you been helping someone hide it?””
James opened his mouth.
But before he could answer, the lights in the conference room went out.
And somewhere down the corridor, a security alarm began screaming“What?””
“Are you helping us find the truth, or have you been helping someone hide it?””
James opened his mouth.
But before he could answer, the lights in the conference room went out.
And somewhere down the corridor, a security alarm began screaming.
.
TheThe emergency lights flickered on.
emergency lights flickered on.
James stepped toward the door.
“Stay here!””
David grabbed his arm.
“Wait.James stepped toward the door.
“Stay here!””
David grabbed his arm.
“Wait. Nobody moves until we know what's happening.””
A security announcement crackled through the speakers.
“Attention Nobody moves until we know what's happening.””
A security announcement crackled through the speakers.
“Attention. A security incident has been reported in the east administrative corridor. Please remain in your current locations.””
Charles looked at Danielle.
“Are you all right?””
. A security incident has been reported in the east administrative corridor. Please remain in your current locations.””
Charles looked at Danielle.
“Are you all right?””
She nodded, holding Amara close.
Then someone knocked violently on the conference room door.
“Mr. Carter!””
It was Olivia, the receptionist.
David opened the door cautiously.
Olivia rushed inside, breathingShe nodded, holding Amara close.
Then someone knocked violently on the conference room door.
“Mr. Carter!””
It was Olivia, the receptionist.
David opened the door cautiously.
Olivia rushed inside, breathing heavily.
“I'm sorry. I know I'm not supposed to be here, but I need to tell you something.””
Charles looked at her.
“What happened?””
Olivia glanced at James.
Then she looked directly at Charles.
“I saw Mr. Collins before the alarms started. He was heavily.
“I'm sorry. I know I'm not supposed to be here, but I need to tell you something.””
Charles looked at her.
“What happened?””
Olivia glanced at James.
Then she looked directly at Charles.
“I saw Mr. Collins before the alarms started. He was speaking to someone on the phone near the service elevator.””
“Who?””
“I couldn't hear the whole speaking to someone on the phone near the service elevator.””
“Who?””
“I couldn't hear the whole conversation. But I heard him say, 'The original is with the girl now.''”
Danielle froze.
“What girl?””
Olivia looked at her.
“You.””
David immediately examined Danielle's belongings.
Her diaper bag was beside the chair.
Her conversation. But I heard him say, 'The original is with the girl now.''”
Danielle froze.
“What girl?””
Olivia looked at her.
“You.””
David immediately examined Danielle's belongings.
Her diaper bag was beside the chair.
Her mother's letter was still in her hand.
Nothing appeared to be missing.
Then Olivia added something else.
“He also said something about a second copy.””
Charles looked at Michael.
Michael slowly closed his eyes.
“There was another copy,” mother's letter was still in her hand.
Nothing appeared to be missing.
Then Olivia added something else.
“He also said something about a second copy.””
Charles looked at Michael.
Michael slowly closed his eyes.
“There was another copy,” he whispered.
Charles turned.
“Where?””
Michael looked at Danielle.
“Your mother's letter.””
Danielle unfolded the paper.
At the bottom, beneath her mother's signature, was a small handwritten note he whispered.
Charles turned.
“Where?””
Michael looked at Danielle.
“Your mother's letter.””
Danielle unfolded the paper.
At the bottom, beneath her mother's signature, was a small handwritten note she hadn't noticed before.
*The original account statement is hidden with the photograph.*
Danielle looked at the photograph she had received in the envelope.
She turned it over.
A tiny folded paper was she hadn't noticed before.
*The original account statement is hidden with the photograph.*
Danielle looked at the photograph she had received in the envelope.
She turned it over.
A tiny folded paper was taped to the back.
Her hands trembled as she removed it.
It was a bank reference number and the name of an independent estate trustee.
David took a photograph of the information.
Then he looked at Charles.
“Sir, I think we finally have taped to the back.
Her hands trembled as she removed it.
It was a bank reference number and the name of an independent estate trustee.
David took a photograph of the information.
Then he looked at Charles.
“Sir, I think we finally have a way to trace the original funds.””
Charles nodded.
“Then let's make sure nobody gets to them first.””
Outside, the security alarm continued to sound.
And for the first time that afternoon, Charles understood something important.
The truth hadn't disappeared.
Someone a way to trace the original funds.””
Charles nodded.
“Then let's make sure nobody gets to them first.””
Outside, the security alarm continued to sound.
And for the first time that afternoon, Charles understood something important.
The truth hadn't disappeared.
Someone had simply spent twelve years trying to keep it hidden.
Danielle looked down at Amara.
Her daughter slept peacefully.
She kissed her forehead and whispered:
“ had simply spent twelve years trying to keep it hidden.
Danielle looked down at Amara.
Her daughter slept peacefully.
She kissed her forehead and whispered:
“Your grandmother fought for us, sweetheart. Now it's our turn.””
But as David reached for the conference room phone, another call came through.
The callerYour grandmother fought for us, sweetheart. Now it's our turn.””
But as David reached for the conference room phone, another call came through.
The caller ID displayed a name nobody expected.
*EVELYN CARTER ESTATE TRUST.*
The account her mother had created twelve years earlier had just been activated.
And someone had attempted to withdraw the remaining balance.
The attempt ID displayed a name nobody expected.
*EVELYN CARTER ESTATE TRUST.*
The account her mother had created twelve years earlier had just been activated.
And someone had attempted to withdraw the remaining balance.
The attempt had been blocked.
For the moment.
But the person who tried to take the money had used a security authorization that belonged to someone inside the Carter family.
had been blocked.
For the moment.
But the person who tried to take the money had used a security authorization that belonged to someone inside the Carter family.
David looked at the screen.
Then at Charles.
“Sir, we have a new problem.””
Charles's expression hardened.
“Who authorized the withdrawal?””
David read the name.
And Danielle realized the final betrayal might be much closer to home thanDavid looked at the screen.
Then at Charles.
“Sir, we have a new problem.””
Charles's expression hardened.
“Who authorized the withdrawal?””
David read the name.
And Danielle realized the final betrayal might be much closer to home than anyone had imagined.
May you like
*The authorization belonged to Charles Carter himself.* anyone had imagined.
*The authorization belonged to Charles Carter himself.*
