Chapter 7: My Daughter's Signature
For several seconds, I couldn't hear anything except the blood pounding in my ears.
The investigator held the phone between us, displaying the electronic transfer application. My daughter's full legal name appeared beneath a declaration that would have transferred every remaining parcel of Bennett family property to a company called Northbridge Holdings.
Jada stared at the screen.
"I didn't sign that.""
The investigator, Special Agent Collins, nodded.
"I understand that, Miss Bennett. But we need to establish how your identity was used.""
"I've never heard of Northbridge Holdings!""
Denise Whitmore folded her arms.
"Perhaps your daughter has forgotten a business arrangement she made. Young people sign things online without reading them all the time.""
Jada spun toward her.
"I don't even have a business!""
"Then this should be easy to explain.""
"Why are you trying so hard to make this my fault?""
Denise opened her handbag and withdrew a business card.
"I'm trying to be realistic. Your father is making serious accusations against my family, and now your name appears on a questionable transaction. Perhaps you should consider whether someone in your household has been less than honest with you.""
I stepped between them.
"Don't you dare use my daughter to protect yourself.""
Denise lifted her chin.
"I'm simply asking reasonable questions.""
"No. You're trying to frighten a twenty-two-year-old woman because you think everyone in this room can be bought.""
Her expression hardened.
"You have no idea how this world works, Mr. Bennett.""
I looked down at my muddy boots.
"You're right. I don't know how to buy silence or forge signatures. I know how to show up for work, keep my promises, and raise a child. Apparently, that's enough to frighten you.""
Several people nearby murmured.
Denise turned away.
Special Agent Collins returned his attention to Jada.
"Have you recently applied for student loans, housing assistance, financial aid, or any other program requiring your identification?""
Jada shook her head.
"I completed my financial aid paperwork last month. My university housing renewal was submitted online. That's it.""
"Did anyone help you complete those applications?""
"My academic adviser helped me with the financial aid forms. My father handled most of my college savings paperwork when I was younger.""
Collins made a note.
"Did you provide copies of your driver's license, Social Security card, or birth certificate to anyone recently?""
Jada hesitated.
Then her eyes widened.
"Yes. Three weeks ago.""
My stomach tightened.
"To whom?""
She looked at me.
"A woman from the scholarship office called. She said they needed updated identification because I was graduating and my scholarship account was being closed.""
Principal Ellison stepped closer.
"Which woman?""
"I don't remember her name. She said she worked with the university's financial services department.""
Collins's expression changed.
"Did you meet her in person?""
"No. She sent me an email with a secure upload link.""
"Do you still have the email?""
Jada nodded.
"It's on my laptop.""
"Don't delete anything. We'll need to preserve the message and its attachments.""
I watched my daughter's face crumple as the reality settled over her.
"I gave someone my information because I thought they were helping me.""
I took her hands.
"Sweetheart, you did nothing wrong.""
"But they used my name.""
"And we'll find out who did it.""
She looked at the forged application again.
"What if they try to take the land anyway?""
"Then they'll have to go through me.""
Angela stood beside us, her face full of sorrow.
"Raymond, there's something I need to tell you.""
I looked at her.
"Another secret?""
She flinched.
"I know I have no right to ask you to trust me. But the company on that application isn't new to me.""
Collins turned toward her.
"What do you know about Northbridge Holdings?""
Angela glanced at Denise before answering.
"Fifteen years ago, Whitmore Development used a company with a different name to move property through several shell corporations. The structure was designed to conceal the original owners and make the transfers appear legitimate.""
"Do you have evidence connecting Northbridge to Whitmore Development?""
"Not yet. But the name of the registered agent may tell you something.""
Collins examined the application.
"The registered agent is listed as Thomas Reed.""
Angela closed her eyes.
"That's impossible.""
"Who is Thomas Reed?"" I asked.
She looked at me.
"The attorney who arranged my disappearance.""
A chill moved through me.
"He's still alive?""
"As far as I know.""
Denise's composure finally cracked.
"Thomas Reed has been retired for years. His name is being dragged into this because you people refuse to accept that your precious land is worth a great deal of money.""
Collins held up a hand.
"Mrs. Whitmore, I'd advise you not to speculate about an active investigation.""
She glared at him.
"My family has donated millions to this university.""
"And that doesn't exempt anyone from an investigation.""
Arthur Whitmore had remained silent near the front row. Now he rose, leaning heavily on his cane.
"Denise, come with me.""
She turned sharply.
"What?""
"I said, come with me.""
"Dad, don't start.""
Arthur's face tightened.
"Did you know about this transfer?""
Denise stared at him.
"You know what the company has been trying to accomplish.""
"That isn't an answer.""
Her silence lasted only a second, but it was enough.
Arthur looked as if he'd aged ten years.
"You used my granddaughter's name?""
Denise's eyes flashed.
"Elizabeth is dead. Someone had to protect what remains of this family.""
Arthur stumbled backward.
"You don't get to use her name to justify this.""
Collins immediately stepped between them.
"Mrs. Whitmore, I need you to remain here while we verify these filings.""
Denise clutched her handbag.
"I am not under arrest.""
"Nobody said you were.""
She looked around the auditorium, searching for an ally.
Nobody moved toward her.
Then Jada tugged my sleeve.
"Dad, there's something else.""
She had opened the university email on her phone.
Her face was suddenly pale.
"What is it?""
She turned the screen toward me.
The email requesting her identification had come from an address that appeared to belong to Ashford University.
But the message contained a forwarded attachment, and the original sender's address was visible in the email history.
It wasn't a university employee.
It was an account registered to Northbridge Holdings.
Below the attachment was a short message.
The daughter has provided everything we need. Proceed with the transfer before the ceremony.
Jada covered her mouth.
I stared at the screen.
Then I noticed the time the message had been sent.
It was three weeks old.
And the person who had forwarded it to the university's fake financial services account had signed their name at the bottom.
*Franklin Price.*
I slowly turned toward my former best friend.
Frank stood near the auditorium doors, his face drained of color.
"Raymond," he whispered, "I can explain.""
I took one step toward him.
"Then you'd better start talking.""
But before he could answer, his phone rang.
He looked at the caller ID.
And when he answered, the voice on the other end was loud enough for all of us to hear.
"Frank, the girl has seen the email. Get her away from her father before she discovers what happened to her mother.""
Frank dropped the phone.
Angela screamed.
May you like
Because the voice belonged to Thomas Reed.
And he had just admitted that he knew exactly where she was.
