Chapter 2: The Attorney Who Knew Too Much
Richard Collins had helped me bury my wife.
Three years earlier, he'd stood beside me at the funeral, holding an umbrella over my head while rain soaked the cemetery.
He'd handled Emily's estate, explained the insurance paperwork, and helped transfer the house into my name.
I'd trusted him.
Now he was standing in front of me, wearing an expensive charcoal suit and looking at my four-year-old daughter as though she were a piece of unfinished business.
I tightened my arms around Sophie.
“Stay away from us, Richard.””
He raised both hands.
“Michael, let's not make a scene.””
“You just walked into my wedding and told me you were glad I still had my child.””
Richard glanced at Amanda.
“She's upset. Everyone is upset. We can discuss this privately.””
Amanda wiped her cheeks.
“Michael, please. Richard is only trying to help.””
I looked at her.
“Then why does he have a phone full of photographs of my house?””
Richard sighed.
“Because I was reviewing certain financial arrangements.””
“Without my permission?””
“Your permission isn't required for every preliminary inquiry.””
I almost laughed.
“Preliminary inquiry? You photographed my daughter's bedroom.””
Richard's expression hardened.
“I think you're misunderstanding what you've found.””
Sophie suddenly lifted her head.
“He took my blue rabbit.””
Everyone went quiet.
I looked at her.
“What blue rabbit, sweetheart?””
“The one Mommy gave me.””
Sophie pointed toward Richard.
“He came at night. Amanda opened the door. He took Bunny and looked inside his tummy.””
Richard's jaw tightened.
Amanda immediately interrupted.
“She has an active imagination, Michael. You know that.””
But Sophie shook her head.
“No, Daddy. He said the paper was inside.””
Richard took one step forward.
I stepped back.
“Don't.””
The wedding coordinator approached cautiously.
“Mr. Bennett, should I call security?””
“Yes. And the police.””
Richard gave a small, humorless smile.
“Michael, before you do that, you should understand something. This situation involves your late wife's estate. There are legal matters you haven't been informed about.””
My chest tightened.
“Emily's estate was settled.””
“Not entirely.””
He reached into his jacket and removed a brown envelope.
Amanda stared at it.
For the first time since the phone recording, she looked genuinely frightened.
Richard placed the envelope on the decorative table.
“Your wife established a trust before she died. There are provisions that become relevant when Sophie reaches certain milestones.””
“What milestones?””
“Her fifth birthday. Her guardianship status. And certain changes to the ownership of the family property.””
I stared at him.
“Sophie is four.””
“Exactly.””
“Then why are you asking for her signature?””
Richard looked toward Amanda.
She shook her head almost imperceptibly.
He noticed.
Then he turned back to me.
“Because someone has been attempting to access the trust prematurely.””
“Who?””
Neither answered.
I opened the envelope.
Inside were photocopies of legal documents, several bank statements, and a photograph of Emily holding baby Sophie outside our old house.
On the back of the photograph, Emily had written something.
For Michael, if the day ever comes when you need to protect our little girl.
My throat tightened.
Richard reached for the envelope.
I pulled it away.
“Don't touch that.””
He lowered his voice.
“Michael, I strongly recommend you return home, calm down, and let me explain everything tomorrow.””
“Why tomorrow?””
“Because the people involved have already made significant financial commitments.””
“What people?””
His phone rang.
He checked the screen and declined the call.
For one brief moment, I saw the contact name.
D.
My heart started pounding.
“You're D?””
Richard didn't answer.
Amanda stepped between us.
“Michael, please. You're embarrassing yourself.””
I stared at her.
“You knew he was coming.””
“He's our attorney.””
“No. He was my attorney.””
Richard's expression changed.
“Careful, Michael.””
That was when two hotel security guards arrived.
I told them I wanted Richard and Amanda kept away from Sophie while the police were contacted.
Richard didn't resist.
Instead, he smiled at me as he walked toward the elevator.
“You should read the final page of that document before making any decisions.””
“What final page?””
“The one your wife signed.””
The elevator doors closed.
Amanda remained in the hallway.
Her makeup was running, her wedding dress was wrinkled, and the expression on her face had become something I couldn't recognize.
I carried Sophie into an empty conference room and locked the door.
For several minutes, neither of us spoke.
Then I sat beside her.
“Sweetheart, I need you to tell Daddy exactly what happened last night.””
Sophie looked at the carpet.
“Amanda said you were going to be busy today.””
“Okay.””
“She said I had to sleep in the big house with a new family.””
My stomach twisted.
“What big house?””
“I don't know.””
She rubbed her little fingers together.
“Then the man came. He said I had to put my name on a paper.””
“Did he hurt you?””
She shook her head.
“He gave me a candy.””
I closed my eyes for a second.
“Did you sign anything?””
Sophie shook her head again.
“I can't write my name good.””
I kissed her forehead.
“That's okay. You never have to sign anything because somebody tells you to.””
She looked up.
“Daddy?””
“Yes?””
“Can we go home now?””
I held her tighter.
“We're going home.””
But as I stood, my phone began ringing.
It was an unknown number.
I answered.
A woman's voice spoke quietly.
“Mr. Bennett, my name is Laura Hayes. I work at the county probate office.””
“Who gave you my number?””
“Your wife's estate file contains an emergency contact instruction. I was told to call you if someone attempted to change the beneficiary records.””
I glanced at the brown envelope.
“What beneficiary records?””
There was a pause.
May you like
Then Laura said something that made my blood run cold.
“Someone filed a request yesterday to remove you as Sophie's legal guardian.””
