Chapter 11: The Last Forty-Eight Hours
Vanessa refused to speak in front of Trevor or Darlene.
So Rebecca arranged for us to meet at her law office the following morning.
I arrived carrying June, a folder of financial records, and a question that had kept me awake all night.
What had happened to my father?
Vanessa was already sitting in the conference room.
She looked exhausted.
Rebecca placed two cups of coffee on the table.
“Before we begin,” she said, “I want everyone to understand that this conversation may become evidence in a criminal investigation.””
Vanessa nodded.
“I understand.””
I sat opposite her.
“Tell me.””
She stared at her coffee.
“Two days before Dad died, he called me. He said he'd discovered that Samuel had been moving money from the trust into accounts he didn't control.””
“Why didn't he go to the police?””
“He was afraid Samuel had already compromised the financial records. He wanted to gather proof first.””
“What about Trevor?””
Vanessa hesitated.
“Trevor was helping Samuel.””
I felt my stomach tighten.
“Helping him do what?””
“Transfer ownership of the construction company.””
She opened her handbag and removed a small black notebook.
“Dad kept handwritten records because he didn't trust the digital accounting system anymore.””
I recognized the notebook.
It was the one my father used to carry everywhere.
He used to write birthday reminders, business appointments, and little notes about things he wanted to discuss with me.
I touched its worn leather cover.
“Where did you get this?””
“Dad gave it to me the day before he died.””
My eyes filled.
“He knew something was going to happen?””
Vanessa nodded.
“He told me to leave Charlotte immediately. He said if anything happened to him, I needed to make sure you never signed anything Samuel prepared.””
I opened the notebook.
Several pages contained lists of bank transfers.
Others contained names and dates.
Then I found an entry written in red ink.
*Samuel — Original amendment removed. Trevor — Secondary authorization. Darlene — Witness.*
Below it was a sentence.
*If they cannot obtain control legally, they will manufacture a reason to remove Corinne.*
I stopped breathing.
My father had predicted exactly what they were doing.
Rebecca leaned closer.
“May I photograph these pages?””
I nodded.
She took several pictures.
Then Vanessa continued.
“The night before Dad died, I went to his house. He was waiting for me in his study. He told me he'd arranged a meeting with federal investigators.””
“Why didn't he go?””
“He never made it.””
Vanessa's voice broke.
“He collapsed in his study the following afternoon.””
I remembered that day.
I had been at a doctor's appointment when Trevor called.
He told me my father had suffered a sudden cardiac event.
By the time I reached the hospital, he was gone.
I pressed a hand against my mouth.
“Was it natural?””
Vanessa looked at Rebecca.
Then she reached into her bag and removed another document.
“Dad's original physician's report.””
The report listed a cardiac event as the cause of death.
But a handwritten note in the margin mentioned an unusual medication combination.
I looked up.
“Was he taking medication?””
“Yes. But not the medication listed here.””
Rebecca examined the document.
“This needs to be independently verified. We cannot draw conclusions from this alone.””
Vanessa nodded.
“I know. That's why I kept it.””
I turned another page in the notebook.
A name appeared beside a series of payments.
Dr. Michael Harlan.
The same physician who had signed my fraudulent psychiatric assessment.
I felt sick.
“He was involved too?””
Vanessa whispered, “I believe he was.””
Rebecca immediately called an investigator.
She asked for an urgent review of the original medical records and the doctor's financial connections.
Then she returned to the table.
“Corinne, we need to discuss the ownership amendment. If your father signed it properly, the company belongs to you and Vanessa.””
“What if Samuel destroyed the original?””
Vanessa smiled sadly.
“He didn't.””
She reached into her handbag again.
This time, she removed a small envelope.
“Dad gave me this too.””
Inside was a tiny brass key.
A handwritten label was attached.
*Charlotte Central Bank — Private Vault 714.*
I looked at Vanessa.
“What is this?””
“Dad told me that if he ever died under suspicious circumstances, I should open the vault.””
Rebecca immediately sat straighter.
“Do you know what's inside?””
Vanessa shook her head.
“No. But Dad said it contained the one thing Samuel could never explain away.””
I stared at the key.
Then my phone rang.
Ellis.
“Mrs. Bascombe, I'm sorry to interrupt, but something has happened.””
“What?””
“Dr. Harlan has disappeared.””
My heart sank.
“What do you mean disappeared?””
“He failed to report to his clinic this morning. His office has been cleared, and his personal computer is missing.””
Rebecca stood.
“Has anyone contacted law enforcement?””
“Not yet. But there's something else.””
Ellis lowered his voice.
“Someone accessed your father's private vault account last night.””
I looked at the brass key.
“Which vault?””
“Vault 714.””
Vanessa dropped her coffee cup.
It shattered against the floor.
“That isn't possible,” she whispered.
I looked at her.
“Why?””
She stared at the key.
“Because Dad told me nobody could open that vault without both daughters being physically present.””
I looked back at Ellis.
“Who accessed it?””
His answer made the room go silent.
“According to the security log, the vault was opened using your father's original biometric authorization.””
May you like
My father's fingerprints.
Four years after his death.
