Chapter 11: My Mother's Last Letter
The police arrived at Harold Mitchell's office before we did.
My father drove while Elaine contacted the investigator handling the financial fraud allegations.
I sat in the passenger seat, staring at Rebecca's photograph.
My mother's handwriting was unmistakable.
She had written the letter shortly before her death.
Why had she suspected Harold?
And why had she appointed someone else to protect the estate?
When we arrived, two officers were standing outside the building.
Rebecca sat on a bench near the entrance.
Her face was pale.
"Sarah!""
She stood and rushed toward me.
I stepped back instinctively.
She stopped.
"I know you don't trust me.""
"Where is Harold?""
"Inside. The officers are speaking with him.""
"What happened?""
Rebecca wiped her cheeks.
"I confronted him about the will. He told me I was confused and that the document was a fake. Then he tried to take my phone.""
My father looked at her.
"Did he hurt you?""
"No. But he threatened to report me for stealing confidential documents.""
I stared at her.
"Did you find the sealed letter?""
Rebecca nodded.
"It's in his office. He keeps it inside a locked cabinet.""
Elaine approached.
"Did you see the original will?""
"Yes.""
"And the sealed letter?""
Rebecca nodded again.
"Harold opened it while I was there.""
"What did it say?""
Rebecca looked toward the building.
"He read the first paragraph, then started shaking.""
My father frowned.
"Why?""
Rebecca lowered her voice.
"Because the letter named the person who would take control of the estate if Harold betrayed your mother.""
"Who?""
Rebecca looked at me.
"Eleanor Price.""
A woman emerged from the building.
She was in her late sixties, with silver hair and a dark green coat.
She carried a leather document case.
When she saw me, she stopped.
"Sarah Mitchell?""
I nodded.
She approached slowly.
"I'm Eleanor Price.""
I held out my hand.
She took it warmly.
"Your mother spoke about you constantly.""
My throat tightened.
"Did she know Harold was going to betray her?""
Eleanor glanced toward the building.
"She suspected he was working with Margaret. She discovered unusual financial activity involving the Savannah property and several estate accounts.""
"Why didn't she tell me?""
"She intended to. But she became ill, and the situation deteriorated quickly.""
My father stepped forward.
"What exactly did she ask you to do?""
Eleanor opened her document case.
"She gave me instructions to protect her estate if Harold attempted to transfer property without Sarah's knowledge.""
She removed a thick envelope.
"This is the sealed letter.""
I recognized the handwriting on the front.
To Sarah, when the truth can no longer be hidden.
My hands shook.
"Can I read it?""
Eleanor nodded.
I opened the envelope.
Inside were four pages.
The first began:
My dearest Sarah,
If you are reading this, then something has happened that I desperately hoped would never occur. I have reason to believe that people I trusted are planning to use my death to take control of the properties I leave to you.
I stopped reading.
My eyes filled.
My mother had known.
She had seen the danger coming.
I continued.
I want you to understand something. The house is not simply a building, and the Savannah property is not simply an investment. They represent years of work, sacrifice, and the hope that you and your children will never have to depend on someone who does not value you.
I pressed the letter against my chest.
Then I read the next paragraph.
Harold has been approached by Margaret. She wants control of the properties, and I believe Daniel is helping her. I have refused to authorize any transfer.
My father closed his eyes.
Eleanor continued explaining.
"Your mother instructed me to preserve the original title deeds and maintain independent records of every transaction.""
"Where are they?"" I asked.
"Some are in secure custody. Others are held in an account your mother established for this purpose.""
"Then why were the properties used as collateral?""
Eleanor opened another folder.
"Because Harold submitted altered copies of the documents. He also used a power of attorney that your mother had revoked shortly before her death.""
I looked at her.
"He used a revoked power of attorney?""
"Yes. We have the revocation notice and proof that it was delivered.""
Elaine joined us.
"This is extremely important. It could help establish that the loan applications were unauthorized.""
Eleanor nodded.
"There is another reason your mother appointed me.""
She removed a separate document.
It was an estate schedule.
At the bottom was a list of beneficiaries.
My name appeared first.
Rebecca's name appeared second.
I stared at it.
"Why is Rebecca included?""
Eleanor looked at me carefully.
"Your mother wanted both daughters to inherit something. But Rebecca's inheritance was conditional.""
"What condition?""
"She was required to complete a financial education program and remain independent of any business controlled by Margaret Mitchell.""
I looked toward my sister.
Rebecca started crying.
"I never knew.""
Eleanor continued.
"Your mother suspected Margaret might try to use Rebecca's financial difficulties to manipulate her.""
Rebecca covered her mouth.
"She knew?""
"Your mother loved you. She wanted to protect you.""
For the first time, Rebecca looked genuinely ashamed.
Then Eleanor turned another page.
"There's something else.""
The document showed that my mother had established a protected education trust for Lily.
Its value was substantial.
And it had never been included in Daniel's loan application.
"Why?"" I asked.
Eleanor's expression became serious.
"Because your mother placed a special condition on that trust.""
"What condition?""
"Nobody can access the funds unless Lily reaches adulthood or an independent court-appointed guardian approves an exceptional expenditure for her benefit.""
My father nodded.
"That explains why Daniel needed the guardianship petition.""
Eleanor agreed.
"He wasn't just trying to obtain your house. He wanted control over Lily's trust.""
I felt sick.
All this time, Daniel had been pretending we couldn't afford basic expenses while trying to gain access to money intended for our daughter's future.
Then Eleanor handed me one final page.
It was a handwritten note.
Sarah, there is one person you must never allow to control Lily's inheritance.
I read the name.
Margaret Mitchell.
Below it, my mother had added another sentence.
She knows what happened to my husband, and she has hidden the truth about his death.
I looked up.
"My father?""
Eleanor nodded slowly.
"Your mother believed Margaret had concealed information about your father's final days.""
I turned toward my father.
His face had gone completely still.
"Robert?""
He stared at the letter.
Then he whispered:
"Sarah, your mother told me your father died in a car accident.""
I frowned.
"What?""
May you like
He looked directly at me.
"That's what I was told, too.""
