Chapter 7: The Signature That Changed Everything
I stared at the document through the glass door.
The signature at the bottom belonged to Rachel.
My sister.
The woman who had just taken Caleb to safety.
I felt as if someone had punched me in the stomach.
I opened the door.
"Daniel Cross?""
The man nodded and extended his hand.
"Mr. Bennett. I wish we were meeting under better circumstances.""
I ignored his hand.
"Why is my sister's signature on this document?""
Daniel adjusted his glasses.
"Your sister submitted a sworn statement concerning your parenting abilities. Based on the information provided, my clients believe Caleb may be at risk in your care.""
"My clients?""
"Mrs. Patricia Bennett and Mrs. Vanessa Bennett.""
I laughed bitterly.
"Those two women are under investigation for financial misconduct involving my son's inheritance.""
Daniel didn't react.
"I'm not here to discuss financial matters.""
"Then you're at the wrong house.""
I tried to close the door, but he placed his hand against it.
"Mr. Bennett, refusing to cooperate could create additional complications.""
I stepped closer.
"Remove your hand.""
He slowly withdrew it.
I took the document and read the first page.
According to the statement, Rachel had allegedly witnessed several incidents in which I left Caleb alone for extended periods.
It also claimed that I frequently became aggressive when confronted about my parenting.
I couldn't believe what I was reading.
"Did Rachel actually sign this?""
Daniel nodded.
"The signature was witnessed.""
"Then I'd like to speak with her.""
"That isn't necessary.""
"It absolutely is.""
I called Rachel.
She answered immediately.
"Michael? Is everything okay?""
I held the phone near the document.
"Rachel, did you sign a statement saying I'm an unfit father?""
Silence.
"What?""
"There's a legal document with your signature.""
Her breathing became uneven.
"Michael, I didn't sign anything like that.""
I looked at Daniel.
"She's denying it.""
Daniel remained expressionless.
Rachel continued.
"Listen to me. Something strange happened yesterday. Mom called and said she needed me to sign paperwork for Caleb's school.""
My blood ran cold.
"What paperwork?""
"She said it was an emergency contact authorization. She brought a folder to my apartment, but I didn't read every page.""
I looked at the signature again.
"Did you sign anything?""
"Yes, Michael. But I didn't sign a custody statement.""
I turned toward Daniel.
"Did you hear that?""
He closed his folder.
"Any allegation of forgery would need to be investigated.""
"Good. Because it will be.""
I ended the call.
Daniel stepped backward.
"I suggest you consult your attorney before making any further decisions.""
"I already have.""
"Then perhaps he'll advise you to cooperate.""
He handed me his business card.
"Have a good evening, Mr. Bennett.""
I watched him walk down the driveway.
Then I locked the door.
Vanessa was standing behind me.
"Michael, you need to understand that your mother was trying to help.""
I turned.
"Stop saying that.""
"She believed Caleb needed a different environment.""
"Then why didn't she take him herself?""
Vanessa looked down.
I continued.
"Why did you need to make me look abusive? Why did you need forged documents? Why did you need to empty his account?""
She began crying.
"Because your mother said you would never agree to give up control of the money.""
I stared at her.
"Control?""
"She said if Caleb lived with someone else, the court could appoint a different financial guardian.""
"And who would that be?""
Vanessa didn't answer.
I stepped closer.
"Would it be you?""
She nodded.
I felt my stomach turn.
Before I could say anything, my phone rang.
Rachel.
"Michael, I found something.""
"What?""
"Mom left a folder at my apartment when she brought the paperwork.""
I closed my eyes.
"What kind of folder?""
"Bank documents. There are copies of Caleb's account statements and something with your name on it.""
"Don't touch anything else. Photograph every page.""
"I already did.""
She sent me several pictures.
The first showed an account summary.
The second showed a transfer authorization.
The third was a handwritten note.
I read it twice.
Once Michael loses custody, the account can be transferred without further objections.
Below it was a signature.
Patricia Bennett.
But the handwriting beneath the signature belonged to someone else.
Rachel called again.
"Michael, there's another page.""
"What does it say?""
Her voice dropped.
"It says the person who originally authorized the account transfer was Emily's brother.""
I stopped breathing.
Emily had one brother.
Thomas.
He lived in Charlotte and hadn't spoken to our family since the funeral.
I remembered him standing outside the hospital room, arguing with my mother about some documents.
I'd assumed it was grief.
I'd assumed everyone was simply struggling.
Now I wondered what I had missed.
Rachel whispered, "Michael, there's a phone number written beside his name.""
I looked at the number.
Then I recognized the last four digits.
It was the number of the man who had just walked out of my house.
May you like
Daniel Cross.
And suddenly, I understood that the lawyer representing my mother and wife might have been connected to Emily's inheritance long before I ever married Vanessa.
