Chapter 9: The Man My Mother Trusted
My father read Daniel's message twice.
Then he took my phone.
"Absolutely not.""
I pulled it back.
"He's my mother's estate trustee. He has the original will.""
"He's also been named in a document accusing him of accessing her confidential files.""
Michael leaned forward.
"Richard is right. This could be a trap.""
I looked at both men.
"Then how am I supposed to find out what my mother actually wanted?""
Dad's expression softened.
"We'll find out. But not by putting you in danger.""
Martin called a few minutes later.
Dad explained everything.
The attorney listened carefully before speaking.
"Do not go anywhere with Daniel. I've already contacted the trust administrator and requested an emergency restriction on all transactions.""
"What about the $75,000?"" Dad asked.
"We're investigating it. The withdrawal request was submitted electronically, but it hasn't been approved.""
I leaned toward the phone.
"Does Daniel have the original will?""
"According to the records, yes.""
"Can he change it?""
"No. But he may be able to withhold it or manipulate the documents.""
I looked at the message again.
"Why would he ask me to come alone?""
Martin sighed.
"That's exactly what concerns me.""
Dad ended the call.
He turned toward Michael.
"You're going to tell us everything you know about Daniel.""
Michael nodded.
"There's something you should see.""
He opened his briefcase and removed a small USB drive.
"Your mother gave me this shortly before she died.""
Dad stared.
"Why didn't you give it to us earlier?""
"Because I didn't know whether Vanessa was still watching everything connected to Evelyn's estate.""
I looked at the drive.
"What's on it?""
"Copies of financial records, recorded conversations, and a video Evelyn made.""
My throat tightened.
"A video of Mom?""
Michael nodded.
"She wanted you to have it when you turned eighteen.""
For the first time that morning, I felt something close to hope.
We drove directly to Martin's office.
He had a secure computer in his conference room and agreed to examine the files.
The first folder contained bank statements.
The second contained emails.
The third was labeled:
*EMILY — OPEN ONLY WHEN SHE IS 18.*
My hands trembled.
Martin clicked it.
A video appeared.
My mother was sitting in her bedroom, wearing the pale green cardigan I remembered from my childhood.
She looked thinner than I remembered.
But her smile was unmistakable.
"Hello, my beautiful girl.""
I immediately covered my mouth.
Dad sat beside me.
His eyes were already filling.
My mother continued.
"If you're watching this, then you've reached the age when I hoped you'd be ready to understand a few things.""
She took a breath.
"I know you may have questions about your father. Richard has always loved you. I need you to remember that.""
I looked at Dad.
He squeezed my hand.
Then Mom continued.
"There are people who may tell you that money is what makes a family. It isn't. Love is shown through the choices people make when nobody is watching.""
She paused.
"Your grandfather left you something important. Not just money. A property, a business interest, and a foundation intended to help families who need a second chance.""
Martin leaned forward.
He seemed particularly interested in that sentence.
My mother continued.
"I also need you to know that I discovered irregularities in the foundation's accounts. I don't know how much was stolen, but I know the person responsible had access to our records.""
Her eyes moved slightly, as if she were checking something off-camera.
Then she said a name.
"Daniel.""
Martin went completely still.
Mom continued.
"I trusted Daniel with everything. But recently, I discovered he had been sharing confidential information with someone outside the family.""
Dad's face hardened.
"Who?""
My mother answered.
"Vanessa.""
I felt my stomach twist.
Mom leaned closer to the camera.
"Emily, if Vanessa is still in your life when you watch this, please be careful. She may appear kind. She may even convince you that she loves you. But she has already shown me that she believes people are possessions.""
The video stopped.
I stared at the screen.
My mother had known.
She had known Vanessa was dangerous before Dad married her.
I turned toward him.
"How did she end up in our family?""
Dad looked devastated.
"She told me she had changed. She said she regretted what happened at the foundation.""
Martin opened another file.
It contained an email from Daniel to Vanessa.
The date was three weeks before my mother's death.
Evelyn has become suspicious. We need to secure the documents before she changes the trust arrangements.
Another email followed.
Richard is unaware of the situation. Once Evelyn is gone, the family assets will be easier to manage.
Dad stood up.
"I married someone who was working with the man my wife trusted.""
Nobody answered.
Then Martin opened the final file.
It was a scanned copy of my mother's original will.
The document contained several provisions.
The house in Savannah would pass to me.
The investment company shares would be placed under my control at eighteen.
And the foundation would remain active under a new board.
But there was one unusual clause.
If anyone attempted to steal or improperly transfer assets belonging to the trust, the entire inheritance would be placed under independent protection.
Martin read the clause twice.
Then he looked at Dad.
"Richard, this is important.""
"What?""
"Vanessa's actions may have triggered the protective provision.""
He turned the page.
There was a handwritten amendment.
It had been signed by my mother and witnessed by two people.
One of the witnesses was Martin himself.
The other was a woman named Patricia Wells.
I frowned.
"Who is Patricia?""
Martin looked uncomfortable.
"Your mother's closest friend. She was also the original director of the family foundation.""
"Where is she now?""
"She lives in Savannah.""
I looked at Dad.
"Can we find her?""
Martin nodded.
"I'll contact her immediately.""
But before he could pick up his phone, a notification appeared on his computer.
The trust administrator had sent an urgent alert.
A new legal filing had just been submitted.
The claimant was Michael Bennett.
The request demanded that the inheritance be temporarily frozen until his biological paternity could be established.
Dad turned toward Michael.
"Did you file this?""
Michael looked genuinely shocked.
"No.""
Martin opened the filing.
Then his face changed.
"Someone submitted this using Michael's identity.""
I looked at the signature.
It was almost perfect.
Almost.
Because beneath the forged signature was a sentence that made my blood run cold.
*Applicant requests immediate custody review of Emily Carter and temporary control of all inherited assets pending determination.*
I slowly turned toward Michael.
He shook his head.
"I didn't do this.""
Dad stepped in front of me.
"Whoever did is going to answer for it.""
Martin looked at the computer screen.
Then he whispered:
"There's only one person who has access to all three sets of documents.""
I swallowed.
"Who?""
May you like
Martin looked directly at me.
"Daniel Brooks. And if he's filing claims in Michael's name, we may have to assume he's preparing to disappear with the rest of your mother's inheritance.""
Related Stories
