Chapter 10: The Attorney Who Buried My Mother's Secret
"Harold Mitchell?""
I repeated the name as if saying it aloud might somehow make it less frightening.
Harold was Margaret's older brother.
He had been my mother's attorney for nearly twenty years. He'd prepared her will, handled the paperwork after her death, and personally delivered the documents that transferred her properties to me.
He had even stood beside Daniel at our wedding.
I'd trusted him.
"You're telling me my mother's attorney was involved in this?"" I asked.
My father nodded slowly.
"According to this document, he was appointed as the independent trustee. But we need to establish whether he fulfilled that responsibility.""
Elaine examined the will.
"There's something unusual here. The clause refers to a sealed letter held by the attorney. If Rebecca becomes involved in an attempt to defraud Sarah, the estate should be transferred to the independent trustee named in that letter.""
"Who is the trustee?"" I asked.
Elaine turned the page.
"The name is missing from this copy.""
Vanessa stepped forward.
"Harold has the original.""
Margaret immediately snapped.
"Vanessa, you've already done enough damage.""
Vanessa laughed bitterly.
"Damage? You told me Sarah would never discover the money transfers. You promised Daniel that everything would be settled before Christmas.""
Daniel grabbed her arm.
"Stop talking.""
She pulled away.
"Don't touch me!""
My father stepped between them.
"Everyone needs to calm down.""
Elaine turned toward Vanessa.
"Why did you bring these documents?""
Vanessa looked at the little boy beside her.
"Because I don't want Noah growing up believing that stealing from another family is normal.""
Then she faced me.
"Sarah, I know you hate me. I deserve that. But I have something else you need to see.""
She opened her handbag and removed a small USB drive.
"These are recordings of conversations between Daniel, Margaret, and Harold.""
My father looked at Elaine.
"Are they legally obtained?""
Vanessa nodded.
"I recorded conversations I was part of. My attorney advised me to preserve everything and provide it to investigators.""
Elaine took the drive.
"We'll need to review the material and establish its authenticity before relying on it.""
Vanessa lowered her voice.
"There's one recording you need to hear.""
She opened a folder on her phone.
A man's voice filled the small conference room where we'd gathered.
It was Harold.
"Margaret, the original estate documents are secure. Sarah signed the transfer authorization, and the bank has accepted the application.""
Margaret answered.
"What if she discovers the property was never supposed to be transferred?""
Harold laughed.
"She won't. She trusts me.""
Then Daniel spoke.
"And Rebecca?""
"Rebecca has already signed the guardianship statement. Once the court accepts it, Sarah won't have the authority to interfere with Lily's arrangements.""
Margaret asked another question.
"And the inheritance?""
Harold's answer was chilling.
"Once the property is transferred, the original trust clause becomes irrelevant. Nobody will challenge a transaction that has already been completed.""
The recording ended.
I sat completely still.
The man who had helped me bury my mother had been planning to steal the inheritance she left me.
My father rubbed his forehead.
"That explains the missing documents.""
Elaine placed the USB drive inside an evidence bag.
"We need to contact the appropriate investigators. This may involve more than a fraudulent loan application.""
I looked at Vanessa.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?""
She looked down.
"Because I was benefiting from the arrangement.""
At least she didn't pretend otherwise.
"Daniel promised to buy a house for me and Noah. He said the money was his. I believed him because he told me you were going to lose the property anyway.""
"And the custody application?""
"I signed it because he told me Lily would be safer with me than with you.""
I looked at her.
"You believed that?""
Vanessa's eyes filled.
"I believed what was convenient.""
For once, I appreciated her honesty.
Then my phone rang.
It was Rebecca.
I answered.
"Where are you?""
Her voice trembled.
"At Harold's office.""
My father immediately looked up.
"Why?""
"Because I went there after the hearing. I wanted to confront him.""
"Rebecca, leave immediately.""
"I can't.""
My heart pounded.
"What do you mean?""
She began crying.
"Sarah, there's a woman here. She says she's the independent trustee named in your mother's sealed letter.""
Elaine leaned toward the phone.
"Ask her name.""
I repeated the question.
Rebecca spoke to someone.
Then she returned.
"Her name is Eleanor Price.""
Elaine's eyes widened.
"That's impossible.""
I looked at her.
"What?""
Elaine shook her head.
"Eleanor Price was your mother's estate litigation attorney. She disappeared from the case after your mother died.""
Rebecca whispered something.
Then she said:
"Sarah, Eleanor says your mother never intended Harold to control the estate.""
A door slammed in the background.
Rebecca screamed.
"He's here!""
Then the phone went dead.
My father immediately stood.
"Call the police.""
Elaine was already dialing.
But before she could finish, another message appeared on my phone.
It was from Rebecca.
A photograph.
She had managed to take a picture of a document lying on Harold's desk.
At the top was my mother's handwriting.
Below it was a date.
May you like
And at the bottom was a sentence that made my blood run cold.
*If Harold has opened this letter, then he has already betrayed me.*
