Chapter 5: The Signature That Wasn't Mine
I didn't sleep that night.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Diane's hands against my back.
I heard the sound of my body hitting the stairs.
And I remembered the look on her face when she stood over me.
There had been no panic.
No regret.
Only anger.
At seven the next morning, Detective Bennett returned with an update.
"Emily, we've contacted the insurance company. They've temporarily frozen all changes to the policy.""
"Did someone forge my signature?""
She placed two documents beside my bed.
"We're having the signatures examined, but there's an obvious discrepancy.""
I looked down.
The first document was dated four years earlier, shortly before my wedding.
The second was dated three weeks ago.
Both carried my name.
Neither signature looked like mine.
I knew my handwriting.
I'd spent years signing medical forms, employment contracts, apartment leases, and birthday cards.
The signatures on those papers were too neat.
Too deliberate.
"Who submitted these?""
"The first application was submitted through an insurance broker. The second was uploaded through an online account registered to Michael.""
My stomach tightened.
"Michael's account?""
Detective Bennett nodded.
"We're not making accusations yet. We need to establish who had access to it.""
I stared at the papers.
"Was Diane listed as the beneficiary from the beginning?""
"On the original policy, no. The beneficiary was your husband.""
I looked up.
"Then when did that change?""
"According to the records, the first attempted change occurred eleven months ago. It was rejected because the submitted identification documents didn't match.""
Eleven months ago.
I remembered that period.
I had been working long hours, saving money for the baby we hoped to have someday.
Diane had visited us frequently.
She'd even helped me organize my financial records after I changed jobs.
I suddenly remembered something.
"Detective, Diane had access to our filing cabinet.""
"Did she have access to your identification documents?""
"Yes. She helped me make copies of everything when we applied for a mortgage.""
The detective wrote something down.
"That may be relevant.""
After she left, Sarah came to visit.
She brought flowers, a bag of fresh clothes, and a small stuffed rabbit for Sophie.
Noah had wanted to come, but Sarah thought he needed a break from the incident.
I thanked her.
Then I showed her the insurance documents.
Sarah's expression darkened.
"Emily, I think you should know something.""
"What?""
"Before the ambulance arrived, Diane called someone.""
I sat up slightly.
"Who?""
"I don't know. But Noah remembers hearing her say something while he was standing near the doorway.""
Sarah took out her phone.
"He remembers the exact words because they frightened him.""
"What did she say?""
Sarah hesitated.
"She said, 'The first plan didn't work. We'll have to use the other one.''"
My blood ran cold.
"The first plan?""
Sarah nodded.
"That's what he told me.""
I stared at the hospital window.
If the insurance paperwork had been attempted eleven months earlier, what had happened eleven months ago?
Then I remembered.
I'd been hospitalized for severe dehydration during the first trimester of my pregnancy.
Diane had insisted on driving me to the hospital because Michael was away on a business trip.
I'd felt dizzy in the car.
When we arrived, I had nearly fainted.
The doctors had treated me, and I'd gone home the following day.
At the time, I thought it was simply a difficult pregnancy.
Now I wasn't so sure.
"Sarah, did Noah hear anything else?""
She shook her head.
"He said Diane sounded angry. Then she told someone that everything would be different once the baby arrived.""
I looked down at my hands.
A terrible possibility was forming.
Before Sarah left, Michael finally called.
"I'm home," he said.
"Did you find the documents?""
"Yes. But Emily, something's wrong.""
"What?""
"The safe was open.""
I froze.
"Was anything missing?""
"The original insurance policy. Our marriage certificate. Your passport copy.""
I closed my eyes.
"Michael, call the police.""
"I already did.""
Then he lowered his voice.
"There's something else. Mom came here while I was searching.""
My stomach tightened.
"What did she want?""
"She said she wanted to apologize.""
I almost laughed.
"Did you let her inside?""
"No.""
"What happened?""
Michael went silent.
Then he said, "She told me the truth about the insurance policy.""
I gripped the phone.
"What truth?""
"She admitted she submitted the first beneficiary change.""
My throat went dry.
"And the second?""
"She says she didn't do it.""
I frowned.
"Then who did?""
Michael took a shaky breath.
"She says she was trying to protect me from someone who had been manipulating our finances.""
"Who?""
He didn't answer immediately.
Then he whispered, "She says it was you.""
I stared at the phone.
"What?""
"She claims you've been secretly moving money out of our joint accounts.""
"That's ridiculous.""
"I know.""
"Michael, I have never touched our savings without telling you.""
"I believe you.""
May you like
But before I could respond, he said something that made my blood turn to ice.
"Emily, Mom gave the police a document showing that you transferred eighty thousand dollars into an account overseas.""
