Chapter 8: My## Chapter 8: My Mother's Signature Was the Missing Mother's Signature Was the Missing Piece
I couldn't take my eyes off the tablet Piece
I couldn't take my eyes off the tablet.
My mother's name was printed beneath my father's signature.
Margaret Reed.
Witness.
I slowly turned toward.
My mother's name was printed beneath my father's signature.
Margaret Reed.
Witness.
I slowly turned toward her.
“Mom?””
She looked as though someone had pulled the ground out from beneath her.
“I didn't her.
“Mom?””
She looked as though someone had pulled the ground out from beneath her.
“I didn't sign that.””
Michael placed the tablet on the table.
“Daniel submitted it this morning. According to the sign that.””
Michael placed the tablet on the table.
“Daniel submitted it this morning. According to the filing, your father transferred his controlling shares to him shortly filing, your father transferred his controlling shares to him shortly before his death.””
“That never happened,” my mother whispered.
Rebecca pulled the tablet closer.
“Let before his death.””
“That never happened,” my mother whispered.
Rebecca pulled the tablet closer.
“Let me see.””
She examined the document, then zoomed in on the me see.””
She examined the document, then zoomed in on the signature.
Her face changed.
“This is a forgery.””
Michael nodded.
“That's signature.
Her face changed.
“This is a forgery.””
Michael nodded.
“That's what our preliminary review suggests.””
My mother sank into a chair.
“But why would Daniel put my name on it what our preliminary review suggests.””
My mother sank into a chair.
“But why would Daniel put my name on it?””
Rebecca answered quietly.
“Because he needs a?””
Rebecca answered quietly.
“Because he needs a witness who can confirm that the document was signed in the family home.””
My mother looked horrified.
“He witness who can confirm that the document was signed in the family home.””
My mother looked horrified.
“He wants me to say I saw it?””
“He wants the court to believe you did.””
I looked at Michael.
“What wants me to say I saw it?””
“He wants the court to believe you did.””
I looked at Michael.
“What happens if the court accepts it?””
“Daniel could obtain temporary authority over happens if the court accepts it?””
“Daniel could obtain temporary authority over certain company assets while the ownership certain company assets while the ownership dispute is investigated.””
“And Tyler?””
Michael's expression hardened.
“Tyler would be positioned to manage dispute is investigated.””
“And Tyler?””
Michael's expression hardened.
“Tyler would be positioned to manage those assets.””
I stared at the tablet.
The plan was suddenly clear.
Daniel those assets.””
I stared at the tablet.
The plan was suddenly clear.
Daniel needed the company.
Tyler needed the signature.
Slo needed the company.
Tyler needed the signature.
Sloane needed the money.
And my mother had unknowingly become the final piece of their fabricated story.
“Can weane needed the money.
And my mother had unknowingly become the final piece of their fabricated story.
“Can we stop him?”” I asked.
Michael nodded.
“We can challenge the filing. But we need the original records stop him?”” I asked.
Michael nodded.
“We can challenge the filing. But we need the original records and testimony from people who were present when your father made his final arrangements.””
Rebecca closed her and testimony from people who were present when your father made his final arrangements.””
Rebecca closed her eyes.
“Then I have to tell you what happened six years ago.””
She reached into her handbag and removed eyes.
“Then I have to tell you what happened six years ago.””
She reached into her handbag and removed another envelope.
This one was smaller.
The paper was worn.
“I was the person another envelope.
This one was smaller.
The paper was worn.
“I was the person who prepared the original share-transfer agreement,” she said.
I stared at her.
“You said you destroyed it.””
who prepared the original share-transfer agreement,” she said.
I stared at her.
“You said you destroyed it.””
“I did. But I kept a copy of the draft.””
She placed it on the“I did. But I kept a copy of the draft.””
She placed it on the table.
“Daniel had asked your father to transfer his shares to him. Your father refused. table.
“Daniel had asked your father to transfer his shares to him. Your father refused. Daniel then produced a document claiming the transfer had already been agreed.””
“Was it Daniel then produced a document claiming the transfer had already been agreed.””
“Was it real?””
“No. Your father never signed it.””
“Then why destroy the original?””
Rebecca looked real?””
“No. Your father never signed it.””
“Then why destroy the original?””
Rebecca looked at my mother.
“Because Daniel was using the document to threaten your father. He told him that if he didn't at my mother.
“Because Daniel was using the document to threaten your father. He told him that if he didn't cooperate, he would expose certain private financial transactions.””
My mother began shaking her head.
“What transactions?””
Rebecca hes cooperate, he would expose certain private financial transactions.””
My mother began shaking her head.
“What transactions?””
Rebecca hesitated.
“Money that Daniel had diverted from the company.””
Michael leaned forward.
“Howitated.
“Money that Daniel had diverted from the company.””
Michael leaned forward.
“How much?””
“More than two million dollars.””
The room went silent.
I looked at the documents.
“Did my much?””
“More than two million dollars.””
The room went silent.
I looked at the documents.
“Did my father know?””
“Yes. He had discovered the missing funds. He intended to report Daniel and recover father know?””
“Yes. He had discovered the missing funds. He intended to report Daniel and recover the money.””
“And then he died.””
Rebecca nodded.
I felt cold.
“Do you think Daniel the money.””
“And then he died.””
Rebecca nodded.
I felt cold.
“Do you think Daniel had something to do with Dad's death?””
Rebecca had something to do with Dad's death?””
Rebecca didn't answer.
Michael spoke carefully.
“We have no evidence establishing that. We mustn't confuse didn't answer.
Michael spoke carefully.
“We have no evidence establishing that. We mustn't confuse suspicious circumstances with proof.””
I nodded.
But my mind was suspicious circumstances with proof.””
I nodded.
But my mind was already racing.
My father had discovered financial misconduct.
He had confronted someone.
He had died already racing.
My father had discovered financial misconduct.
He had confronted someone.
He had died three days later.
And the person who had been threatened by his discoveries was now trying three days later.
And the person who had been threatened by his discoveries was now trying to take control of his company.
I looked at Rebecca.
“What exactly did you destroy?””
“The fraudulent transfer agreement. to take control of his company.
I looked at Rebecca.
“What exactly did you destroy?””
“The fraudulent transfer agreement. Not your father's original records.””
“Where are those records?””
She hesitated.
“Some were Not your father's original records.””
“Where are those records?””
She hesitated.
“Some were placed in a private archive. Your father gave me instructions to keep them separate from placed in a private archive. Your father gave me instructions to keep them separate from the company's main servers.””
Michael immediately straightened.
“Where?””
Rebecca looked at me.
“Your father's old house.””
I frowned.
the company's main servers.””
Michael immediately straightened.
“Where?””
Rebecca looked at me.
“Your father's old house.””
I frowned.
“The house was sold.””
“Not the property he used as his private office.“The house was sold.””
“Not the property he used as his private office. The small building behind it.””
I remembered it.
A converted guesthouse The small building behind it.””
I remembered it.
A converted guesthouse with dark wooden windows.
My with dark wooden windows.
My father had called it his library.
He'd spent hours there, surrounded by books and old photographs.
“Who father had called it his library.
He'd spent hours there, surrounded by books and old photographs.
“Who owns it now?””
Rebecca looked down.
“The trust.””
I felt a sudden owns it now?””
Rebecca looked down.
“The trust.””
I felt a sudden rush of hope.
“Then we can go there.””
“Not yet,” Michael said.
“Why?””
“Because rush of hope.
“Then we can go there.””
“Not yet,” Michael said.
“Why?””
“Because Daniel knows about the archive.””
My phone vibrated.
An incoming message from Tyler.
*Your mother is Daniel knows about the archive.””
My phone vibrated.
An incoming message from Tyler.
Your mother is about to make a terrible mistake. Tell her to stay out of this.
I showed Michael.
He read it about to make a terrible mistake. Tell her to stay out of this.*
I showed Michael.
He read it.
Then his phone rang.
Sloane.
He stared at the screen for several seconds before answering.
“What.
Then his phone rang.
Sloane.
He stared at the screen for several seconds before answering.
“What?””
Her voice was loud enough for us to hear.
“Michael, please. You have to listen?””
Her voice was loud enough for us to hear.
“Michael, please. You have to listen to me.””
“I'm listening.””
“Daniel has gone too far.””
Michael leaned to me.””
“I'm listening.””
“Daniel has gone too far.””
Michael leaned back.
“You helped him.””
“I didn't know what he was planning.””
“You transferred money to Tyler back.
“You helped him.””
“I didn't know what he was planning.””
“You transferred money to Tyler.””
“That was different.””
“You provided access to my company's records.””
“I was trying.””
“That was different.””
“You provided access to my company's records.””
“I was trying to protect myself!””
Michael's expression hardened.
“From what?””
A pause.
Then Sloane began crying.
“Daniel to protect myself!””
Michael's expression hardened.
“From what?””
A pause.
Then Sloane began crying.
“Daniel told me he had evidence that you were planning to leave me with nothing.””
Michael said told me he had evidence that you were planning to leave me with nothing.””
Michael said nothing.
“He said the company was going to collapse. He said nothing.
“He said the company was going to collapse. He said I needed to secure my position before you destroyed everything.””
“And you believed him?””
“I was scared.””
Michael looked at I needed to secure my position before you destroyed everything.””
“And you believed him?””
“I was scared.””
Michael looked at me.
Then he spoke into the phone.
“Where are you?””
“Home me.
Then he spoke into the phone.
“Where are you?””
“Home.””
“Stay there.””
“Michael, please. Tyler is here.””
His.””
“Stay there.””
“Michael, please. Tyler is here.””
His eyes narrowed.
“What?””
“Tyler came over eyes narrowed.
“What?””
“Tyler came over. He says Daniel has the original document.””
Michael stood.
“Don't give. He says Daniel has the original document.””
Michael stood.
“Don't give him anything.””
“I haven't.””
“Don't open the safe. Don't sign anything.””
Slo him anything.””
“I haven't.””
“Don't open the safe. Don't sign anything.””
Sloane began sobbing.
“Michael, he's threateningane began sobbing.
“Michael, he's threatening me.””
“Then call the police.””
“Michael—”
He ended the call.
I looked at him.
“Ty me.””
“Then call the police.””
“Michael—”
He ended the call.
I looked at him.
“Tyler is with her?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
Michael grabbed his jacket.
“Because Daniel has apparently decidedler is with her?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
Michael grabbed his jacket.
“Because Daniel has apparently decided that the easiest way to control the situation is to make sure nobody trusts anybody else.””
He turned that the easiest way to control the situation is to make sure nobody trusts anybody else.””
He turned toward Rebecca.
“Can you get the archive?””
“Yes.””
“Then we need to move.””
My toward Rebecca.
“Can you get the archive?””
“Yes.””
“Then we need to move.””
My mother reached for my hand.
“What about the babies?””
Michael looked mother reached for my hand.
“What about the babies?””
Michael looked toward the carriers.
“My security team will arrange transportation. You won't be alone.””
I stood.
“I'm coming.””
Michael shook his head.
toward the carriers.
“My security team will arrange transportation. You won't be alone.””
I stood.
“I'm coming.””
Michael shook his head.
“Vanessa, I don't recommend it.””
“It's my father's house.””
“It's also where Daniel may be expecting“Vanessa, I don't recommend it.””
“It's my father's house.””
“It's also where Daniel may be expecting you.””
I looked at the photograph of my father on the table.
Then you.””
I looked at the photograph of my father on the table.
Then I looked at Piper and Poppy.
“I've spent my entire marriage being told to stay I looked at Piper and Poppy.
“I've spent my entire marriage being told to stay out of things I had every right to understand.””
I picked up the out of things I had every right to understand.””
I picked up the envelope.
“I'm not doing that anymore.””
Michael studied me.
Finally, he nodded.
“Then we do envelope.
“I'm not doing that anymore.””
Michael studied me.
Finally, he nodded.
“Then we do this carefully.””
The old property stood at the end of a quiet this carefully.””
The old property stood at the end of a quiet road lined with oak trees.
The main house had been renovated, but the smaller building behind it looked almost exactly as I remembered.
road lined with oak trees.
The main house had been renovated, but the smaller building behind it looked almost exactly as I remembered.
Its wooden door still had the brass handle my father had installed himself.
Rebecca approached with a key.
Its wooden door still had the brass handle my father had installed himself.
Rebecca approached with a key.
“Your father gave me this before he died.””
The lock clicked.
The door opened.
The familiar smell of old books“Your father gave me this before he died.””
The lock clicked.
The door opened.
The familiar smell of old books and cedar wood filled the room.
I stopped and cedar wood filled the room.
I stopped.
For a moment, I was twelve years old again.
My father was sitting behind his desk.
.
For a moment, I was twelve years old again.
My father was sitting behind his desk.
He was laughing.
He was telling me that the world was full of peopleHe was laughing.
He was telling me that the world was full of people who would try to convince me that I wasn't capable of understanding complicated things.
Then who would try to convince me that I wasn't capable of understanding complicated things.
Then he would hand me a book and tell me to prove them wrong.
My eyes filled.
“He loved this place,” I whispered.
Rebecca he would hand me a book and tell me to prove them wrong.
My eyes filled.
“He loved this place,” I whispered.
Rebecca nodded.
“He came here when he needed to think.””
She walked toward the desk.
“There should be a second nodded.
“He came here when he needed to think.””
She walked toward the desk.
“There should be a second drawer.””
She pulled open the bottom compartment.
Inside was a metal box.
Michael examined the lock.
“Do drawer.””
She pulled open the bottom compartment.
Inside was a metal box.
Michael examined the lock.
“Do you have the key?””
Rebecca shook her head.
“No.””
I you have the key?””
Rebecca shook her head.
“No.””
I stepped forward.
There was a small brass key taped underneath the desk.
I stepped forward.
There was a small brass key taped underneath the desk.
I recognized it immediately.
My father used to hide spare keys there.
I removed it.
The lock turned.
Inside were several recognized it immediately.
My father used to hide spare keys there.
I removed it.
The lock turned.
Inside were several folders, a small voice recorder, and a sealed envelope.
Rebecca reached for the top folder.
“Here folders, a small voice recorder, and a sealed envelope.
Rebecca reached for the top folder.
“Here.””
She opened it.
The first document was a shareholder register.
The second was a handwritten declaration.
The third.””
She opened it.
The first document was a shareholder register.
The second was a handwritten declaration.
The third was a letter from my father.
I recognized the words before I even finished reading the first line was a letter from my father.
I recognized the words before I even finished reading the first line.
To my daughter, Vanessa.
My hands began trembling.
I opened the letter.
*If you have found this, then.
To my daughter, Vanessa.
My hands began trembling.
I opened the letter.
If you have found this, then someone has attempted to take control of the company without your permission.
Do not trust anyone who tells someone has attempted to take control of the company without your permission.
Do not trust anyone who tells you that the shares were transferred to Daniel.
I never signed such an agreement.
The person you that the shares were transferred to Daniel.
I never signed such an agreement.
The person who has the original proof is not Rebecca.
I stopped.
My heart pounded.
I looked at Rebecca.
who has the original proof is not Rebecca.*
I stopped.
My heart pounded.
I looked at Rebecca.
“Who is it?””
She shook her head.
“I don't know.””
I continued reading.
*I placed the final evidence somewhere“Who is it?””
She shook her head.
“I don't know.””
I continued reading.
I placed the final evidence somewhere that only one person would think to look.
The person who knows where I kept the that only one person would think to look.
The person who knows where I kept the first photograph of Vanessa's mother.
I looked at my mother.
Her eyes widened.
“The photograph?””
She reached into her handbag and first photograph of Vanessa's mother.*
I looked at my mother.
Her eyes widened.
“The photograph?””
She reached into her handbag and pulled out her old wallet.
Inside was a faded picture of my parents on their wedding day.
My father had been holding a pulled out her old wallet.
Inside was a faded picture of my parents on their wedding day.
My father had been holding a small framed photograph.
My mother turned the picture over.
On the back, in my father's handwriting, were small framed photograph.
My mother turned the picture over.
On the back, in my father's handwriting, were four words.
Under the blue clock.
I looked around the room.
Above the fireplace hung four words.
Under the blue clock.
I looked around the room.
Above the fireplace hung an old blue clock.
I walked toward it.
The hands had stopped at 4:15 an old blue clock.
I walked toward it.
The hands had stopped at 4:15.
I lifted it from the wall.
Behind it was a small compartment.
Inside was a black USB drive.
And.
I lifted it from the wall.
Behind it was a small compartment.
Inside was a black USB drive.
And a folded sheet of paper.
I opened the paper.
It contained a single sentence.
*Daniel a folded sheet of paper.
I opened the paper.
It contained a single sentence.
Daniel did not act alone.
Before I could say anything, the building's lights went out did not act alone.*
Before I could say anything, the building's lights went out.
Michael immediately moved toward the door.
“Everyone stay where you are.””
A.
Michael immediately moved toward the door.
“Everyone stay where you are.””
A loud crash came from the main house.
Then footsteps.
Rebecca whispered:
“Someone's inside.””
I cl loud crash came from the main house.
Then footsteps.
Rebecca whispered:
“Someone's inside.””
I clutched the USB drive.
Michael pulled out his phone.
“Security, I need you atutched the USB drive.
Michael pulled out his phone.
“Security, I need you at the rear entrance. Now.””
Another crash.
Then a familiar voice called from the the rear entrance. Now.””
Another crash.
Then a familiar voice called from the hallway.
“Vanessa?””
Tyler.
My stomach dropped.
“Vanessa, I hallway.
“Vanessa?””
Tyler.
My stomach dropped.
“Vanessa, I know you're in there.””
Michael moved in front of me.
Tyler knocked once know you're in there.””
Michael moved in front of me.
Tyler knocked once.
Then he spoke again.
“Listen. I don't want to hurt anyone.””
Michael's expression.
Then he spoke again.
“Listen. I don't want to hurt anyone.””
Michael's expression became ice.
“Then walk away.””
Tyler laughed.
“You don't understand. I'm trying to became ice.
“Then walk away.””
Tyler laughed.
“You don't understand. I'm trying to save her.””
I looked down at the USB drive in my hand.
Then I heard Tyler say save her.””
I looked down at the USB drive in my hand.
Then I heard Tyler say the one thing that made me realize he knew exactly what we'd found.
“Vanessa, give me the one thing that made me realize he knew exactly what we'd found.
“Vanessa, give me the recording.””
And suddenly, I understood why he had come.
He wasn't looking for money.
He was looking the recording.””
And suddenly, I understood why he had come.
He wasn't looking for money.
He was looking for the one piece of evidence that could destroy the entire conspiracy.
The original proof.
The proof that my father had for the one piece of evidence that could destroy the entire conspiracy.
The original proof.
May you like
The proof that my father had hidden before he died.
hidden before he died.
