Chapter 7: The Signature of a Dead Woman
For several seconds, my father didn't move.
The email remained open on his laptop, displaying my mother's forged signature beneath the request to transfer my grandfather's trust.
I stared at the screen.
Someone had used a dead woman's identity to steal money from a sixteen-year-old girl.
And somehow, they had managed to make the documents look legitimate.
"Call the bank," I whispered.
Dad was already reaching for his phone.
"Robert, listen carefully. Freeze every transaction connected to Emily's trust. I don't care what authorization documents they've submitted. Nobody releases a dollar.""
He listened.
Then his expression changed.
"What do you mean the request has already been approved?""
My stomach dropped.
Dad stood.
"How long ago?""
A pause.
"Then stop it. Contact the receiving institution and report suspected identity fraud.""
He ended the call.
Vanessa was standing near the kitchen island, gripping its edge.
"Daniel, you have to understand something.""
He turned toward her.
"I've understood enough.""
"No, you haven't. Michael told me this was the only way to recover the money.""
"By forging your dead wife's signature?""
"He said the documents were already prepared!""
"And you believed him?""
Vanessa's eyes filled with tears.
"He told me Patricia had everything arranged.""
Dad looked at her.
"Then where is Patricia?""
Vanessa shook her head.
"I don't know.""
"You're going to tell me everything you know.""
"I've told you everything!""
Dad pointed toward the laptop.
"Then explain why your company is listed as the destination for Emily's inheritance.""
She looked at me.
"I never wanted to hurt you.""
I laughed.
It wasn't a happy sound.
"You stole my savings, Vanessa. You let Mia celebrate with a laptop bought with my money. You knew a man connected to my mother's death was targeting me. And now you want me to believe you never wanted to hurt me?""
She lowered her eyes.
For once, she had nothing to say.
My phone buzzed.
An unknown number.
Emily, you need to stop your father. He doesn't know what he's getting into.
I showed Dad.
He immediately photographed the message.
Another arrived.
Your mother made the same mistake.
I felt cold all over.
Dad took my phone.
"Don't respond.""
But I couldn't stop staring at the screen.
A third message appeared.
Ask Daniel why he was the last person to see your mother alive.
I looked up.
"Dad?""
His face had changed.
He wasn't looking at the message anymore.
He was staring at the floor.
"What does that mean?""
He sat down slowly.
"Emily, your mother died in a car accident.""
"I know.""
"I was supposed to meet her that evening.""
"Why?""
He rubbed his forehead.
"She had called me earlier. She said she had found something important about Michael's financial records.""
I swallowed.
"What happened?""
"I was delayed at work. By the time I reached the hospital, she was gone.""
I stared at him.
"Did you tell the police about Michael?""
"Yes.""
"Did they investigate?""
"Of course.""
"Then why is he still alive?""
Dad looked exhausted.
"Because nobody could prove he was connected to the accident. And the evidence your mother had gathered disappeared.""
I thought about the USB drive.
"Except she left us that recording.""
He nodded.
"Yes.""
A knock sounded at the front door.
Dad immediately stood.
He looked through the window.
A woman in a dark blue coat stood on the porch, holding a leather folder.
Dad's expression tightened.
"Stay behind me.""
He opened the door.
The woman introduced herself as Detective Laura Mitchell.
She was accompanied by another officer.
"Mr. Carter, we received a report of suspected financial fraud and threats involving your family.""
Dad stepped aside.
"Come in.""
Detective Mitchell glanced at me.
"You're Emily?""
I nodded.
"We need to ask you a few questions. Are you comfortable speaking here?""
"Yes.""
She placed her folder on the coffee table.
"We've received information concerning a financial network involving Michael Reeves and Patricia Reeves.""
Dad leaned forward.
"Do you know where they are?""
"Not yet. But we've identified several suspicious transfers.""
She opened the folder.
"Mr. Carter, some of these transactions appear to have originated from devices registered to your household.""
Dad looked at Vanessa.
The detective continued.
"We'll need access to the relevant devices and records. We'll also need copies of the original trust documents.""
Vanessa suddenly stood.
"I want a lawyer.""
Detective Mitchell nodded.
"That's your right.""
Then she turned toward me.
"Emily, did your stepmother have access to your savings account?""
"Yes.""
"Did you authorize the transfers?""
"No.""
"Did you give her permission to spend the money?""
"No.""
The detective wrote something down.
"Thank you.""
I looked at her.
"Can you get my money back?""
She met my eyes.
"We'll do everything legally possible to trace it. But I need you to understand that these investigations can take time.""
Dad put a hand on my shoulder.
"We'll get through this.""
The detective closed her folder.
"There's something else. We've received a report that Patricia Reeves may be attempting to leave the country.""
Dad stood.
"When?""
"Possibly tonight.""
He looked at his phone.
"Where?""
"We're still confirming the information.""
Before Detective Mitchell could continue, Vanessa's phone rang.
Everyone looked at it.
The caller ID displayed:
*PATRICIA REEVES.*
The detective immediately raised her hand.
"Don't answer it.""
But the phone kept ringing.
Then a message appeared.
Tell Daniel I have the original agreement. If he wants Emily to receive anything, he needs to bring her to the old First National building tomorrow at noon.
Dad looked at the detective.
"That's where the original trust records were kept.""
Detective Mitchell photographed the message.
"We'll handle this.""
Vanessa began shaking.
"She'll hurt Emily.""
The detective turned toward her.
"Why would she?""
Vanessa looked at me.
"Because Patricia believes Emily is the only person who can legally expose what happened.""
Dad stepped in front of me.
"Nobody is taking my daughter anywhere.""
Detective Mitchell nodded.
"Nobody is asking you to.""
Then Vanessa whispered something else.
"Patricia doesn't want the money anymore.""
Dad looked at her.
"Then what does she want?""
May you like
Vanessa swallowed.
"She wants Emily's signature.""
