Chapter 7: My Sister's Name Was on the Will
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
I stared at Vanessa.
"What do you mean, you didn't know they had changed it back?""
She shook her head rapidly.
"Emily, please. You have to believe me.""
Alexander stepped between us.
"Vanessa, choose your words carefully. This is no longer a private family disagreement.""
She wiped her cheeks.
"Mom originally told me I would receive half the estate. She said she wanted both of us to have something.""
I looked at her.
"When?""
"Before she got sick.""
"Then why did the trust documents name me as the primary beneficiary?""
Vanessa swallowed.
"Because Mom changed her mind.""
I felt my chest tighten.
"When?""
"About six months ago.""
I remembered that period.
Mom had been undergoing treatment. I had taken unpaid leave from work to help her with appointments, medications, and household responsibilities.
Vanessa had visited twice.
Both times, she complained about the hospital parking fees.
"Why would she change her mind?"" I asked.
Vanessa looked down.
"She said I was becoming too dependent on Daniel.""
"Was she wrong?""
Vanessa didn't answer.
Alexander took out his phone.
"Jonathan, send us the original beneficiary schedule and the version filed with the county. We need both immediately.""
"Already on the way," Jonathan replied.
The call ended.
Vanessa sat down heavily.
"Mom promised me something, Emily. I wasn't trying to steal your inheritance.""
I laughed without humor.
"You brought a document to a woman who was barely able to hold a pen. You watched Daniel use her property. And you stood beside my coffin-side grief yesterday telling everyone how much better your life was than mine.""
Vanessa flinched.
"I know.""
"No, you don't.""
She began crying again.
Alexander gently touched my shoulder.
"Let's take the documents to Jonathan. We need to establish exactly what happened.""
I nodded.
Before we left, Vanessa caught my wrist.
"Emily, please don't let Daniel go to prison.""
I stared at her.
"Why are you worried about him?""
"Because he's my husband.""
"He was my fiancé.""
She released my wrist.
For a moment, something passed between us that I couldn't name.
Then she whispered, "I know.""
We left.
At Carter Global's offices, Jonathan was waiting with two large folders.
He placed them on the conference table.
"Mrs. Carter, we've compared the documents. Your mother's original trust amendment clearly identifies you as the primary beneficiary.""
He showed me the signature page.
There was Mom's name.
Her handwriting.
Her initials.
Everything looked exactly as I remembered.
Then he placed another document beside it.
The filed version.
My name had been removed.
Vanessa's name appeared in its place.
I stared at the two pages.
"Can someone change a document like that?""
"Not legally," Jonathan answered.
"But someone with access to the original paperwork could create a fraudulent replacement.""
Alexander leaned forward.
"Who had access?""
"Your mother's attorney, Richard Collins. The estate administrator's office. And anyone authorized by Mrs. Bennett to receive copies.""
"Daniel?"" I asked.
Jonathan nodded.
"Possibly. We're still verifying the chain of custody.""
He turned another page.
"There's an additional complication. The fraudulent version contains a witness statement claiming your mother signed the amendment in the presence of two witnesses.""
"Who were they?""
Jonathan read the names.
I recognized one immediately.
"That's the nurse who cared for Mom.""
"Correct.""
"And the other?""
"Richard Collins.""
I felt sick.
The nurse had been with Mom almost every day during her final months.
She had helped me wash Mom's hair, changed her bedding, and brought her warm blankets when the hospital air conditioning became too cold.
I couldn't imagine her participating in something like this.
"Can we speak to her?""
"Yes," Jonathan said.
"But I'd prefer to secure the original medical records first.""
Alexander looked at him.
"Do that today.""
Jonathan nodded.
Then he opened another folder.
"There's something else. The altered trust document was submitted eleven days after Mrs. Bennett passed away.""
I frowned.
"How?""
"Through an electronic filing account registered to Richard Collins.""
Alexander's expression hardened.
"So he submitted it.""
"Yes.""
I looked at the paperwork.
"Then why did the county accept it?""
"Because the filing appeared complete on its face. The discrepancy wasn't discovered until the estate administrator compared it with the original.""
I leaned back.
My mother's final months had been difficult enough.
Now I was discovering that someone had been planning to steal her legacy while she was dying.
My phone vibrated.
An unknown number.
I answered.
"Hello?""
A man's voice came through.
"Emily Bennett?""
"Yes.""
"My name is Thomas Walker. I used to work for Richard Collins.""
I looked at Alexander.
"How can I help you?""
The man lowered his voice.
"I heard there's an investigation involving your mother's estate.""
"Who told you that?""
"Doesn't matter. I have something your mother gave me before she died.""
My heart began racing.
"What?""
"A recording. And a copy of the original trust amendment.""
"Why didn't you give it to the estate attorney?""
"Because I was told not to.""
"By whom?""
There was a pause.
Then he said, "Your mother's attorney.""
I looked at Alexander.
"Where can we meet?""
"Tomorrow morning. But there's something you should know first.""
"What?""
His voice dropped to a whisper.
"Richard Collins wasn't working alone. The person who paid him was someone your mother trusted like family.""
The call ended.
Alexander immediately stood.
"Jonathan, trace that number and verify his identity.""
I looked at my husband.
"Who could Mom have trusted that much?""
Alexander didn't answer.
May you like
But something in his expression told me he had already begun to suspect someone.
And I wasn't prepared for the name he was about to say.
