Chapter 5: The Woman Who Knew Elizabeth's Secret
At noon, Marcus received a phone call from an unfamiliar number.
He was sitting in his office with Nia beside him, drawing pictures while Maria prepared lunch.
“Hello?””
A woman's voice answered.
“Mr. Carter? My name is Evelyn Brooks.””
Marcus immediately stood.
“Evelyn?””
“Yes. I believe Maria has told you about me.””
“She has.””
“Then you found Elizabeth's letter.””
Marcus glanced at Nia.
“Yes.””
There was a pause.
“Mr. Carter, I need to see you in person. There are things about your wife's trust that cannot be discussed over the phone.””
“When?””
“Today. But I need you to promise something first.””
“What?””
“Do not allow Vanessa to know we're meeting.””
Marcus looked toward the office door.
“Why?””
“Because she's been looking for the original documents for nearly two years.””
Marcus's jaw tightened.
“Why would she need them if she's already the trustee?””
Evelyn took a breath.
“Because she isn't.””
Marcus went still.
“What?””
“Vanessa was never legally appointed as trustee. The documents she has been using are fraudulent.””
Marcus gripped the phone.
“Then who is the trustee?””
“I am.””
He closed his eyes briefly.
“Where can I meet you?””
Evelyn gave him an address.
Before ending the call, she added one final warning.
“Mr. Carter, bring the letter Elizabeth left you. And please, don't bring Vanessa.””
The call ended.
Marcus looked down at Nia.
She was drawing a house with three people standing outside.
“Is that us?”” he asked.
Nia nodded.
“That's me. That's you. And that's Madison.””
Marcus smiled faintly.
“Where's Chloe?””
Nia paused.
“She's with her mommy.””
Marcus studied the drawing.
“And where's Vanessa?””
Nia shrugged.
“She doesn't like being in my pictures.””
He felt a painful lump form in his throat.
“That's okay, sweetheart.””
Nia added a red flower beside the house.
Then she looked up.
“Daddy, can Madison come over tonight?””
“Of course.””
“Can we all eat dinner together?””
Marcus smiled.
“Yes.””
Nia returned to her drawing.
He watched her for several seconds.
Then he called his attorney.
“Richard, I need you to meet me at a private address this afternoon.””
“What's happened?””
“I believe someone has been forging documents connected to my daughter's inheritance.””
Richard's tone changed immediately.
“Do you have evidence?””
“Enough to start investigating.””
“Don't confront anyone else until we review the paperwork.””
Marcus looked at the wooden box.
“I think we're already past that point.””
At 2:00 p.m., Marcus arrived at a small law office on the edge of downtown.
Evelyn Brooks was waiting inside.
She was a woman in her late fifties, with short silver hair and a calm, serious expression.
When Marcus entered, she stood.
“Mr. Carter.””
“Evelyn.””
They shook hands.
She looked at the wooden box he carried.
“Elizabeth kept that?””
“Maria did.””
Evelyn smiled sadly.
“She was a good woman.””
Marcus sat across from her.
“Tell me everything.””
Evelyn placed a thick folder on the desk.
“Your wife contacted me shortly after her diagnosis.””
“Why?””
“Because she suspected someone was attempting to gain access to Nia's inheritance.””
Marcus leaned forward.
“Vanessa?””
Evelyn nodded.
“She had been asking Elizabeth questions about the trust. At first, she claimed she wanted to help manage the paperwork.””
“Why would she have access?””
“She didn't. But she knew someone who did.””
“Daniel.””
Evelyn nodded again.
“Daniel was involved in reviewing certain financial records. He was never authorized to make decisions about Nia's trust, but he had access to some of the documents.””
Marcus's face hardened.
“So they worked together.””
“Your wife suspected they did.””
“Why didn't Elizabeth tell me?””
Evelyn opened the folder.
“Because she had received a warning.””
“What warning?””
Evelyn removed a printed email.
It was dated four months before Elizabeth died.
The sender was Daniel.
The recipient was Vanessa.
The subject line read:
*THE TRUST ARRANGEMENT.*
Marcus read the message.
Elizabeth is becoming suspicious. We need to wait until the medical situation is resolved. If she changes the trust, we lose the opportunity.
He read it twice.
Then he looked up.
“What opportunity?””
Evelyn opened another folder.
“Elizabeth's trust contains more than money.””
Marcus frowned.
“What else?””
“Shares in Carter Holdings. Property interests. Several commercial developments. The value has increased substantially since her death.””
Marcus stared.
“Elizabeth owned shares in my company?””
“Yes. She purchased them before your marriage, using her own inheritance.””
Marcus leaned back.
He remembered Elizabeth mentioning an investment account years ago.
He had never paid much attention because she preferred managing her own finances.
“How much?””
Evelyn gave him a number.
Marcus's mouth fell open.
The trust was worth nearly thirty million dollars.
And Nia was the sole beneficiary.
“Vanessa wanted all of it?””
“Not exactly.””
Evelyn slid another document toward him.
“Under the original agreement, Nia receives full control when she turns eighteen. Until then, the trustee can manage the assets only for her benefit.””
Marcus examined the document.
“So Vanessa tried to become trustee to control the money.””
“Yes. But that wasn't the only reason.””
Evelyn looked at him carefully.
“Elizabeth discovered that Vanessa had been making arrangements to have Nia declared unsuitable for independent guardianship.””
Marcus frowned.
“Why?””
“Because if Nia were placed under a court-approved guardianship arrangement, Vanessa hoped to influence where the money was held and who managed it.””
Marcus felt sick.
“And Patricia?””
Evelyn nodded.
“Daniel's sister.””
“Why was she named as guardian?””
“Because Vanessa believed Patricia would cooperate with the arrangement.””
Marcus stared at the papers.
Then he noticed a signature.
Elizabeth's name.
“Evelyn, this signature—”
“It's not genuine.””
He looked up.
“What?””
“Elizabeth signed the original trust documents in my office. I have the originals. The signature on the guardianship application is a copy taken from an older document.””
Marcus's hands tightened.
“So they forged my wife's signature.””
“Yes.””
“And tried to take my daughter.””
Evelyn closed the folder.
“That's what Elizabeth feared.””
Marcus stood and walked toward the window.
For several moments, he said nothing.
Then he turned.
“Why didn't you contact me?””
“I tried.””
“When?””
“Several times after Elizabeth's death. Your calls were screened, and your office said you were unavailable.””
Marcus frowned.
“My office?””
“Daniel's assistant handled the messages.””
Marcus felt another piece of the puzzle fall into place.
Daniel had been controlling what information reached him.
He returned to his chair.
“What do you need from me?””
Evelyn removed a final document.
“Your signature on a formal request to freeze any attempted transfer of trust assets. We also need to notify the court about the forged guardianship application.””
Marcus picked up the pen.
“Do it.””
Evelyn watched him sign.
Then she reached into her desk drawer and removed a small sealed envelope.
“Elizabeth asked me to give you this if Vanessa ever became part of your family.””
Marcus stared at it.
“Another letter?””
“Yes.””
He opened it carefully.
Inside was a single photograph.
It showed Elizabeth sitting in a hospital room.
Vanessa stood beside her.
But it wasn't the image that shocked him.
It was the date.
The photograph had been taken six months before Marcus and Vanessa first met.
On the back, Elizabeth had written:
She came back today. She says she wants forgiveness. I don't believe her.
Marcus looked up.
“What does this mean?””
Evelyn's expression darkened.
“Your wife knew Vanessa long before you did.””
“From where?””
Evelyn hesitated.
“Vanessa was once employed by the private medical company that coordinated Elizabeth's treatment.””
Marcus stared at her.
“What?””
“She was not a nurse. She worked in patient administration.””
“Why was she visiting Elizabeth?””
“That's what I've been trying to establish.””
Marcus examined the photograph again.
Vanessa was smiling.
Elizabeth was not.
In fact, Elizabeth looked frightened.
“Did they have a relationship?””
“Not a personal one. At least, not initially.””
“What happened?””
Evelyn lowered her voice.
“Vanessa was accused of accessing confidential patient records and altering certain billing information. Elizabeth discovered it and reported her.””
Marcus stared.
“And then Vanessa came back asking for forgiveness?””
“Yes.””
He looked down at the photograph.
Something about it made his stomach turn.
“Why would she marry me?””
Evelyn didn't answer immediately.
Then she said:
“Perhaps she wanted to get close to the estate. Or perhaps she wanted something more personal.””
Marcus looked at her.
“What do you mean?””
“Elizabeth told me she believed Vanessa blamed her for losing her job.””
Marcus sat completely still.
Before he could respond, his phone rang.
It was Madison.
“Dad?””
“Hey, sweetheart. What's wrong?””
“Mom's in the house.””
Marcus frowned.
“I know. Where are you?””
“In the upstairs hallway.””
“Is Nia with you?””
“No. She's in the playroom with Maria.””
“Then what's happening?””
Madison lowered her voice.
“Mom is looking through your office.””
Marcus stood.
“Why?””
“I don't know. She took the wooden box.””
Marcus's blood ran cold.
“Madison, listen carefully. Don't touch anything. Stay with Maria.””
“But Dad—”
“Go now.””
He ended the call.
Evelyn stood.
“What happened?””
“Vanessa took something from my office.””
Marcus grabbed the folder.
“We need to go.””
As he hurried toward the door, Evelyn called after him.
“Mr. Carter!””
He turned.
She held up another photograph.
“There's something else you need to know.””
Marcus stopped.
“What?””
Evelyn looked at the photograph.
“Elizabeth didn't just suspect Vanessa.””
She turned it around.
It showed a younger Vanessa standing beside a little girl.
The girl looked about eight years old.
Marcus stared.
“Who is that?””
Evelyn whispered:
“Vanessa had a daughter before she met you.””
Marcus felt his stomach drop.
“Where is she now?””
May you like
Evelyn's answer was barely audible.
“She disappeared after Elizabeth reported Vanessa.””
