Chapter 8: The Person Behind the Forgery
The next morning, I sat across from a handwriting expert.
I didn't sleep.
I couldn't.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Nia hiding her broken shoes.
I saw Vanessa standing beside hundreds of dollars worth of clothes.
I saw Emily's face on that recording.
And I heard her warning.
Someone was lying.
The expert placed the documents on the table.
"This signature is not genuine.""
I already knew the answer.
But hearing it still hurt.
"You're sure?""
She nodded.
"Very.""
Daniel sat beside me.
"So someone used Emily's identity.""
"Yes.""
I looked at him.
"Who?""
He didn't answer.
Because we both knew the question was bigger than Vanessa.
When we returned home, Vanessa was waiting.
She looked like she hadn't moved from the night before.
"Did you find out?""
I held up the documents.
"Yes.""
Her face changed.
"What did you learn?""
"That someone forged Emily's signature.""
She looked relieved.
Too relieved.
"You see? I told you.""
I stared at her.
"You didn't tell me anything.""
Her expression faded.
I stepped closer.
"Who helped you?""
Her eyes widened.
"I didn't have help.""
"Then explain why someone else signed.""
She looked away.
That was the moment I knew.
She knew more.
"Vanessa.""
She stayed silent.
"Who was it?""
Finally, she whispered:
"His name was Robert.""
Daniel immediately stood.
"What?""
Vanessa looked at him.
"I didn't know what he was doing.""
"Who is Robert?"" I asked.
Daniel's face had gone pale.
"He worked with Emily's financial advisor.""
My stomach tightened.
"A stranger had access to her accounts?""
Daniel nodded.
"Not just access.""
He looked at Vanessa.
"He was the person who introduced Vanessa to Emily.""
The pieces started connecting.
Too many pieces.
I looked at Vanessa.
"You knew him before Emily died.""
She didn't deny it.
"I met him once.""
Daniel laughed.
"Once?""
Vanessa looked angry.
"Don't pretend you know everything.""
"I know enough.""
He pointed toward the documents.
"Robert disappeared after Emily died.""
I frowned.
"Disappeared?""
Daniel nodded.
"Nobody could find him.""
Then my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
A man's voice came through.
"Marcus.""
My body went still.
"Who is this?""
A pause.
Then:
"The person who can explain why Emily really died.""
The room froze.
Daniel moved closer.
"Who is it?""
I put the phone on speaker.
The voice continued.
"Don't trust Daniel.""
I looked at Emily's brother.
His expression changed.
"Don't trust Vanessa.""
Vanessa stepped back.
"Who are you?""
The man ignored her.
"Marcus, you need to understand something.""
The voice became lower.
"Everyone around you has been protecting a secret.""
My grip tightened around the phone.
"What secret?""
Silence.
Then the man said:
"The night Emily died wasn't an accident.""
Nia gasped.
I looked at her immediately.
She was crying.
"Stop.""
I ended the call.
The house became silent.
Nobody moved.
Then Vanessa whispered:
"I told you.""
I turned toward her.
"Told me what?""
She looked at me with tears in her eyes.
"That opening Emily's box would destroy everything.""
Daniel looked furious.
"She's manipulating you.""
But I wasn't listening.
Because on the table beside the laptop...
The memory card had fallen out.
And underneath it was something we hadn't noticed.
A tiny recording label.
A date.
The date of Emily's death.
May you like
And written below it:
*Final conversation.*
