Chapter 5: Sarah's Last Warning
Karen Whitmore's office was located in a brick building near downtown Atlanta.
I hadn't visited it since Sarah's funeral.
The receptionist recognized my name and immediately called the attorney.
Five minutes later, a woman in her sixties appeared in the doorway.
"Michael Carter?""
"Yes.""
She studied my face.
Then her expression softened.
"I wondered when you'd come.""
Those six words made my stomach tighten.
"Come where?""
She gestured toward her office.
"Please. We have a great deal to discuss.""
Her office smelled of old books and fresh coffee. Framed photographs covered one wall, including pictures of her with several clients.
I recognized Sarah in one of them.
She was standing beside Karen, holding a folder and smiling.
I hadn't seen that smile in years.
Karen followed my gaze.
"Sarah was one of the most determined women I've ever represented.""
I sat down.
"She knew Vanessa was planning something, didn't she?""
Karen closed the office door.
"Yes.""
I felt my chest tighten.
"How long?""
"She contacted me three weeks before her death. She had discovered irregularities involving Emily's education account and documents connected to your property.""
"Why didn't anybody tell me?""
Karen looked uncomfortable.
"Sarah wanted to speak with you. She was preparing a formal letter explaining everything.""
"Preparing?""
"She died before she could finish.""
I looked at the photograph again.
"What did she discover?""
Karen opened a locked cabinet and removed a thick manila envelope.
"She left instructions that this was to be given to you personally. I attempted to contact you after her death, but Vanessa informed my office that you were overwhelmed with funeral arrangements and that she would coordinate the family's legal matters.""
I felt my blood run cold.
"Vanessa intercepted your message?""
"She requested that all future correspondence be sent through her.""
"Why did you agree?""
Karen looked embarrassed.
"At the time, she presented herself as your wife and Emily's guardian. I had no reason to believe she was involved.""
She placed the envelope on the desk.
My name was written across the front in Sarah's handwriting.
I recognized every letter.
My hands began shaking.
"Open it," Karen said gently.
Inside was a handwritten letter, several printed bank records, and a small photograph.
I unfolded the letter.
Michael,
If you're reading this, something has happened that I was desperately trying to prevent.
I don't know how to explain this without hurting you, but I need you to listen.
Vanessa is not interested in becoming a mother to Emily. She is interested in the financial arrangements surrounding Emily.
I found a document bearing your signature that you never signed. It gives Vanessa authority over financial decisions connected to Emily's inheritance and education fund.
I confronted her about it.
She told me I was confused, exhausted, and looking for problems that didn't exist.
But I know what I saw.
Derek Collins is involved. I found his name on a separate agreement.
Michael, please don't give anyone access to Sarah's money. Not until you understand what they're doing.
I stopped reading.
For a moment, the office disappeared.
I could hear Sarah's voice in my head.
Her quiet laugh.
The way she used to call me Mike when she wanted me to pay attention.
I swallowed hard and continued.
There's one more thing.
Vanessa knows about the insurance policy.
I looked up.
"What insurance policy?""
Karen leaned forward.
"Keep reading.""
The letter continued.
The policy I established for Emily is not the same as the education account. I created a separate policy when she was born. Its value is supposed to be protected for her future.
I recently received a notice indicating that someone attempted to change the beneficiary information.
I refused to authorize it.
Please find the original documents. They're with Karen.
And Michael, if Vanessa ever tells you that I didn't want you to move on after my death, remember this.
I wanted you to be happy.
I just wanted our daughter to be safe.
I love you both.
Sarah.
I lowered the letter.
Karen handed me a tissue.
I hadn't cried at Sarah's funeral. I'd spent that entire day making sure Emily had something to eat, thanking people for coming, and answering questions I could barely understand.
But now, seven years later, I cried in a lawyer's office because my wife had used my daughter's grief as a business opportunity.
After a few minutes, I wiped my face.
"Tell me about the insurance policy.""
Karen opened a second folder.
"Sarah established it through a separate company. Emily was the sole beneficiary. The policy was designed to provide funds for her education and long-term security.""
"How much?""
"One hundred and eighty thousand dollars at the time of Sarah's death.""
I stared at her.
"One hundred and eighty thousand?""
Karen nodded.
"However, the documents I have show that an attempted beneficiary change was submitted shortly after Sarah died.""
"To whom?""
Karen turned a page.
"Vanessa Collins.""
My stomach dropped.
"Did she receive the money?""
"No. The company rejected the request because the signature didn't match Sarah's records.""
I gripped the chair.
"So the $86,000 was only one account?""
"Correct. And the education account may not be the only one that was targeted.""
Karen removed a separate document.
It was a notice dated six months earlier.
Someone had requested information about the policy's current value.
The request included a power of attorney supposedly signed by me.
Again, the signature was false.
"Who submitted it?""
Karen pointed to the bottom.
A legal firm.
One I recognized.
The same firm that had handled the home-equity loan against my house.
I stared at the name.
"Can they do that without my permission?""
"They cannot lawfully use a forged authorization. I've already contacted the insurance company's compliance department. They have placed a restriction on any changes while the matter is reviewed.""
I leaned forward.
"Is there anything else?""
Karen hesitated.
"Yes.""
She opened a small drawer and removed a sealed envelope.
"This was delivered by Sarah shortly before she died. She specifically asked me not to open it unless you came to my office.""
My heart started pounding.
"What's inside?""
"She said it contained the one piece of evidence that would make you understand why she was afraid.""
I broke the seal.
Inside was a single photograph.
It showed Vanessa standing outside a hospital room.
Beside her was a man in a gray suit.
I recognized him immediately.
Derek Collins.
But that wasn't what shocked me.
The photograph was dated November 21.
The day before Sarah died.
On the back, Sarah had written:
*He told me the truth. Vanessa wasn't working alone.*
I looked at Karen.
"Did Sarah tell you who else was involved?""
Karen slowly shook her head.
"She never got the chance.""
I turned the photograph over again.
Then I noticed something in the background.
A hospital visitor sign.
And beside Vanessa's name was another visitor's name.
*Michael Carter.*
I felt dizzy.
I hadn't visited Sarah that afternoon.
I'd been at home with Emily, arranging the next day's school schedule.
May you like
Someone had used my name to enter Sarah's hospital room.
And whoever that person was, Sarah had apparently believed they were me.
